Happy Easter

It is kind of sad that Easter has become a holiday for candy, but to kids, that’s pretty much what it is. The average American will spend over $100 on Easter food, candy, and toys this year! My wife and I bought stuff to fill the kids' easter baskets over lunch today. Of course, being a parent, it is our prerogative to sample Easter candy every year, and as a public service, here is what you need to know before you grab a handful this Sunday:

• 1 Marshmallow Peep is probably your safest bet – only 28 calories
• 10 small jelly beans = 41 calories
• 1 chocolate covered marshmallow is 42 calories
• 12 Whoppers Mini Robin Eggs will set you back about 95 calories
• 1 Cadbury Creme Egg is 172 calories
• And everyone’s favorite, a 1.5 ounce solid chocolate bunny is 230 calories.

On a related note, how do you know if you need to lose a few pounds? When your 5 year old daughter pokes your stomach, says "Squishy squishy squishy," and starts to laugh.

Darcy, I want you to know, that hurts Daddy's feelings.

Adventureland

For my birthday, Heather took me out to the Golf Dome, dinner at the Melting Pot, and then we hit the movies to see Adventureland. I have to admit, I did not expect the movie to be as good as it was. I figured it would a goofy, forgettable 80s flashback movie, but instead it turned out to be a bittersweet, engrossing story about college age kids figuring out what to do with their lives, in 1987. It reminded me exactly of how I felt after graduation: so many possibilities, so many paths you can go, and nothing quite works out like you think at the time, but it does work out.

If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll like the music, and how everything about 1987 at an amusement park is lovingly recreated. It was funny, don't get me wrong, but far deeper and better written than I expected. I recommend Adventureland, but definitely don’t take the kids.

--Brian