Marina wanted to spend another birthday up in Minneapolis. For dinner she wanted some place that had chicken. Brasa sounded like the perfect place for that.  We parked next to a little library that had Teddy Ruxpin tapes.  Brooke and Brittany were quite excited. We had a small wait for our table. Which worked out to give us time to decide what to order. And so the kids could game, I guess. We hadn't been here in a long time. Brasa is still so, so good. Marina requested a cookie cake for her birthday. The next morning Theo helped me make breakfast for everyone. We had waffles, bacon and scrambled eggs. Theo can be the best little helper when I really need it. A few weeks ago, Brittany and I had planned some things for us to do this weekend. It was an unusually warm 70 degrees today and so everyone had the same plans as us. We started the day at the Como Conservatory. It doesn't matter how many times you come here, it's still always fun to see. When I was a kid I ran out in f...

I usually forgo any birthday presents as I choose a birthday cabin instead. This year I was spoiled for my 41st birthday. They got me some Japanese house slippers. She loved them so much in Japan that we had to treat her. If it's Lent you know we have to go to a church fish fry. Of course we had to go to St. Albert's. No one else in the Twin Cities compares.    Usually we try to get here right when it starts, this time we came near the end and had a bit of a wait. This place never gets old. Best church fish fry in the Twin Cities. The kids just want the endless desserts. We were too late for the bingo. Next year we'll have to time it out so we can do that too. Loving my new slippers. I guess I'm on a Japanese breakfast kick. Today I attempted to make a rice cooker pancake. Our rice cooker kept wanting to go to keep warm, so this took longer than expected. We have a pretty basic Zojirushi, not sure if that hurt or helped. Think it turned out pretty, pretty good. A big sn...