A fun winter weekend


A fun winter weekend
By Allan Olson
If I would’ve known complaining about the cold winter weather in last week’s column was going to help change it, I would’ve complained a long time ago, because it sure seemed to work.
It was another long weekend for the kids, with Friday off from school. I think it is safe to say they had a fun weekend. After I got home from work late Friday afternoon, I discovered the family involved in a cleaning party, so . . . as much as I wanted to nap, instead I joined in and helped out. The cleaning continued until it was time to make supper. While we were cleaning, I happened to look out the back window and, to my surprise, I saw kid tracks in the snow for the first time in several months. Once supper was over, I headed to my room for that much-needed nap. My wife said that I didn’t want to nap this late, but I said, “Yes, I do!” and I did. I napped for about an hour, then got up and watched some shows that we had recorded on the DVR, and went back to sleep again.
On Saturday morning, I couldn’t be fortunate enough to sleep in more than an hour past my normal wake up time since, of course, the kids were already up making noises. I made a nice bowl of hot cereal for breakfast, and soon it was time to head for the “Perch Jerk” on Lake Winnie. We arrived on site, registered and located a place to park our fishing gear. I headed off to take some pictures, but didn’t get far before my wife called, saying she needed some help. The fish were hitting all the lines at once, and the kids needed help, and she couldn’t help them all at once! The fish bite was persistent for the first hour, with all of the kids except Alivia catching at least one fish to take to the weigh table. Marcus was even in contention for a trophy for at least half of the event before he got bumped out of second and then third place.
Prize Patrol
We waited and waited to hear if any of our kids names would be called for prizes during the event, and Nikolai was the first to be called. He came back with a nice little tool set. He said he didn’t think he would use it, but he did find a use for it already on Sunday afternoon, so I think he’s happy with his winnings.
Marcus, who was the only one to win a prize last year (a shiny new bike) was the next to be called – this time for a brand new 24-inch flat screen television! Seriously – how lucky can a kid get? Unfortunately for him, we let him know in no uncertain terms that there is no way he is getting a TV in his room. Mom and I discussed giving him the cash value of his prize and swapping out our smaller 19-inch TV, but in the end mom came up with the idea of using it to replace our big old CRT television that has been threatening to die for years. While the new TV looks relatively tiny, all the kids were pleased with that decision. I was quick to inform them that if they break it, “I won’t pay for it!” Perhaps they will be a bit more careful while they’re playing.
The prize drawing continued after the tournament was over, but the chances of anyone else in the family winning a prize was dwindling. I was really hoping that Abigail would win a new bike this year, but the chances were getting smaller. I was busy taking pictures and visiting with people on the lake, when suddenly I heard Abigail’s name drawn. So did she, and came climbing across the snowbanks to get to me. I met up with her and carried her across the water to the platform, where she stood in line grinning as she waited to claim her prize – a shiny new purple bike.
Only one child’s name remained to be called; alas, Alivia’s name was not called this day, and she didn’t even catch a fish. We headed home, and stopped by Teal’s Market to pick up frozen pizzas for supper. Alivia asked for donuts. I said no, but mom stepped in and overruled me, concluding that since she didn’t get a fish, or a prize, and did manage to step in an ice hole, we should at least buy her donuts. Mother knows best.
Sunday
Sunday was the day everyone in Minnesota has been waiting for. It was gorgeous! The kids went outside to play on at least two different occasions. I was outside shoveling off the deck, with some assistance from the kids. Nikolai pressured me into getting the .22 out for some target practice, and I’m glad he did, because that was fun – especially when I got motivated by the gunpowder and took out my deer rifle and drilled a couple of bigger holes in the target!
I ended up on my roof and shoveled that off as well, piling my once snow-free decks full of snow again. As a reward, I got a sore back and no cocktail mix to make it feel better. I was moving so stiffly that Abigail felt a need to help me up and gave me a back rub – I guess I really am getting old!
The melt continued through the night, and on Monday morning I went out to get in the vehicle for work and found more snow had fallen off the garage, right in front of my doors. I guess Nikolai will have his work cut out for him – I assigned him the task of removing that snow, along with the snow on deck again, too.
Please be safe while ice fishing this season, and remember to take a picture to preserve a lifetime of memories. Also, please watch out for the buses that are transporting our children, and remember to drive safely this winter. Thanks for reading, and have a great week! For more of my columns visit: http://allan-crazykids.blogspot.com


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