miniature golf.

For the first time, we took the kids miniature golfing. Lincoln raved about it afterward and can't wait to go again. In fact, he won a free game at the end as he put his ball into the Plinko-like board and it fell into the "Free Game" spot! Cassidy said she had fun but I'm guessing she'll enjoy mini-golf a bit more when she's better able to get her stance down and swing her club properly. I don't expect her to join the LPGA or anything, but she maxed her score on every hole and was generally more interested in the waterfalls and "sand" traps on the course than in getting her ball in the hole.

Here are the kids on the practice hole before we began. 

Hole #1 of the Waterfall Course

Cassie, Matt, and Linc pause for a picture.

Picture time for Cassie, Linc, and Mom.
Seriously, I think this was the hole where I got a hole-in-one. Go mom! 

Of course Dad won. I want a re-match! 

When we finished our 18 holes, Matt went over to the driving range to practice some "real" golf. The kids and I hopped in the car and headed to Baskin-Robbins for a treat while Matt had fun at the driving range.

Below is a pretty typical picture of the roles big bro and little sis play. Linc is checking out the golf clubs, trying to understand which one is used for what. He needs to understand the game so he can win. Cass is off in dreamland picking at the grass likely creating a fun fairy world in her head. I love it.

sleeping beauty.

Cassidy recently found a sleeping mask that I have. I don't know that I've ever used it, but she certainly found in enthralling.

She often insists that she sleeps with her eyes open. I suggested using the mask so her eyes could rest.

She also thought Pooh bear would like to try the mask. He loved it so much that he's keeping it on all the time now! Ok, maybe it's just that the novelty has worn off for Cassie but not yet for Pooh.

BMX tricks.

Last week, the kids and I enjoyed a BMX bike tricks program at our library. We were thoroughly entertained by the talents of Matt Wilhelm. Matt has appeared on "America's Got Talent" (made it to the semi-finals) and has won multiple medals at the X Games. In addition to doing all sorts of impressive tricks on his bike, he's a bit of a motivational speaker, engaging kids to persevere with their goals. He also talks about the importance of bike safety.

Here are the kids with the BMX talent: 

And here are their signed postcards:

Now I'm trying to convince Lincoln to utilize the pegs on his new bike to learn some tricks...

Door County, Wisconsin.

We spent the 4th of July week this year exploring Door County, WI. Instead of going "up north" in Michigan as we've done in years past, we decided to try the "up north" that folks in Illinois do. We rented a cottage with Matt's mom in Sturgeon Bay, along the waters of Green Bay. 

We had great weather. It was sunny and in the 70s all week. Perfect in comparison to the heat we're experiencing here in mid-July. We stayed in the "guest" house while the owner of the property lives next door. It was a 2-bed, 1 bath house and was sufficient for the 5 of us. We enjoyed the gorgeous sunsets from the deck each evening, we explored lots of little towns, enjoyed ice cream and fudge, played in the water and at the beach, visited several parks and wineries, had campfires, played cards, etc. It was a welcome break. 

"The Panorama" guest house.

The rocky shoreline of Green Bay.

The Gough's at Murphy County Park.

Little sister and big brother at Cave Point County Park.
The limestone here was gorgeous.

With Grandma at Murphy Park.

The Gough's at Cave Point County Park.

The kids splashing it up in the lake. Brrr....

If you'd like to view the entirety of our vacation photos, you can go here: Sturgeon Bay Vacation Pictures.

library card.

We visit the Grayslake library at least every 2-3 weeks. We love it there. The kids signed up for summer reading in June and recently earned their first prize after completing a certain number of reading minutes. Lincoln chose a library card holder. He doesn't have a library card yet, but this prompted him to repeatedly ask me when he can get his *own* library card. So...I took him for a special trip to the library to get his card, after I finally gathered the appropriate documents needed to obtain a card for the kid.

He was thrilled. Seriously. The look of pride when the card was handed to him was absolutely adorable. See below for his display of how to use the library card holder!

Library card on left; card holder on right.

Insert card into holder like so.

 

And there you have it!
Next: go to library and check out lots of books. 

storybook ballet.

Cassie tried her first dance class recently -- storybook ballet. It' was a summer camp class with just 2 sessions. We figured this would be a good way for her to try it out to see if she'd like it (heck, I didn't know if she'd even participate!). She's not exactly the type to run off and join new things with barely a wave to mom and dad, like her brother is.

Linc & I dropped her off for the 2 hour session. We couldn't stay to watch so the only report I got was from Cassie herself. She didn't cry when we dropped her off. She just stood quietly near the teacher. After class, she said "she loved it" and she wanted to go back again tomorrow! She did say that she cried for a few minutes during the class, but the teacher made funny faces at her and she felt better after that. The little ballerinas got to listen to a story, do some dancing in the dance studio, enjoy a snack, and do a craft together. They made a little ballerina paper doll, of course. 

Success! 

Our little ballerina.
Her dress left glittery sparkles all over the house and car!

Ballerina paper doll enjoying her place on the refrigerator. 

Pokagon State Park, Angola, IN.

We spent a few days in early June with Matt's stepmom's family in Angola, IN (which is near her hometown of Fremont, IN). I think I've got that right -- correct me if I'm wrong, Granny!

Below, you'll see the Potawatomi Inn, which is the site of the Gilchrist family reunion each year. This year, we gathered to enjoy time with family and also to say goodbye to Matt's dad as we interred his ashes at Lakeside Cemetery.

Sad times... What I hold dear are innumerable memories of family times with my father-in-law. I see aspects of him in Linc & Cass, his two grandchildren, all the time. I also still hear his booming laugh from time to time.

The Potawatomi Inn.

The Inn overlooks Lake James.

Lake James.
Matt, I, and the kids took a paddle boat out on the lake while we were there.

As I try to get pictures of the kids together, I often hear myself saying, "put your heads together" so that I can get them nice and close for a cute picture. This has turned into a joke between Linc, Cass, and I because every time they "put their heads together" they bonk heads. Here is one series...

Getting close together.

The aftermath of the head bonk.

Cheek to cheek. 

 Another series...

Purposely going for the head bonk this time.

Bonk.

Squeeze.

 

Loving the tire swing.

  We enjoyed a few minutes one morning sitting on the dock, dipping our feet in the water.

GYBA.

Lincoln recently finished his first official season of Little League. He played t-ball last year through the Grayslake Park District, but this year, he played on a team with the Grayslake Youth Baseball Association (GYBA). The league for his age group (1st/2nd grade) is called Pinto. He was on the Braves.

Here are the Braves enjoying ice cream at Tastee Freeze after one of the games.
(Lincoln is second from the left)

Even better in black and white. 

The boys got to try each position at least once during the season. Here, Linc is having a go at catcher.
Seems like he gravitated toward 3rd base more than any other position. 

At bat.

On first base, ready to run.

In the dugout.

 

Cleaning off the base (making mom proud). 

Waving to his buddy, Brendan, on the opposing team! 

Enough waving. Time to get ready to run to third.

Running into home plate!

Proud owner of another baseball trophy.

Team and coaches at the end of the season. 

 Go Braves!

Last day of 1st grade for big brother.

Lincoln's last day of 1st grade was also his birthday! It's amazing to see how much a kid learns during the school year. I love seeing the progression with math and reading skills, with computer skills, handwriting, science and social studies. It's been fun seeing Lincoln through his first year of full-day school.

Little sister waiting in the rain for the bus to arrive. 

There's our now 2nd grader! 

Happy last day of school, Lincoln.

Big bro and little sis.