our little princess.

I see the transient innocence in 7-year-old Lincoln so I had to take this picture recently when Cassie was dressed up in princess gear while playing with her princess castle. I know these days are fleeting and they're just so darned sweet that they must be captured.

Belle playing with Belle. 

Mommy's Day 2013.

Mother's Day this year started off bright and early. Matt & I ran in our first 5K. This was no problem for Matt, but was a feat for me as running is not exactly my favorite thing to do. My goal was to run/jog the entire thing (no walking allowed!). I did it and celebrated with breakfast at Dunkin Donuts afterward. Yum.

While we were running, Grandma celebrated her Mother's Day morning by taking the kids out for breakfast. Not exactly a morning off for her, but at least she didn't have to cook!

Here we are at the end of the run.

One of my favorite things about Mother's Day are the homemade cards and gifts, which I keep stashed in a keepsake box so that I can look back on them from year to year.

Lincoln proudly reading the card he made for me. 

Smoochie smoochie.

Cassidy helping me read the card she made.
Be sure to check out the family picture she drew on the back. I believe it's snowmen versions of the four of us. Love it.

The best part of Mother's Day is seeing Matt in the kitchen preparing a lovely meal each year. He's really a good cook. This year, we had grilled Mexican pizzas.

Delish!

The not-so-great part of this Mother's Day was when Cassie came in the door after dad had so generously taken the kids to the park to give mom and grandma a break. This is what she had to show me...

Apparently, she was throwing a baseball to Lincoln and did a faceplant right into the sidewalk. I have no idea how she manages to do these things. She is one clumsy girl! Actually, she seems to be kind of a dreamer and just doesn't pay attention to what she's doing. 

Another pic for your viewing pleasure.
Amazingly, her lip healed in a couple of days and she said it really didn't hurt.
The boo boo's that she's had on her elbows and knees since the baseball incident have not been taken with as much grace. You'd think she'd broken multiple bones with the reaction she gives after getting scraped on the sidewalk.

Young Author.

Lincoln's school does a great voluntary writers program for the students each year. While I'm not sure that writing is Linc's favorite activity, I encouraged him to contribute a story. He chose to write a non-fiction piece about his dad taking him to the Lions game over Christmas break. He wrote about the thrill of tailgating in the bitter cold as well as the excitement of the game (albeit a losing one).

Getting Linc to write the story was not terribly easy, but I know it's something that he'll love to have documented as a reminder of what was clearly a special day for him.

When Cass & I attended the writers celebration with the young authors, we saw the proud smiles on the kids' faces. Here is my proud Young Author below.

Way to go, Lincoln! 

Racine Zoo.

While my parents were here for a visit in late April, we headed up to the little zoo that sits along Lake Michigan in Racine, WI.

Ok, where to first?
The kids love to review the map to ensure that we don't miss any exhibits.

Above, both kids are getting closer looks at the Spider monkeys.
They  were quite active and very fun to watch. 

 

Looking for the bears here. 

As we walked along the path in the picture above this one, a glance to our right produced a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan.

Cassidy, YiaYia, and Lincoln taking a look at the penguins.

 

Matt pointing an animal out to Cassie.
I just love her little hand on his back. 

Favorite animals...
Cassidy: Giraffes
Lincoln: Spider monkeys/Tiger/Lion (can't decide)
Julie: Giraffes (like mother, like daughter)
Matt: Orangutans
YiaYia: Penguins
Papou: Tiger

spring break with Skippyjon Jones.

Lincoln had the pleasure of being the *Star of the Week* at school during Spring Break week (each kid gets to do it during the school year, but Linc lucked out by having an extra week). This entails filling out an All About Me posterboard as well as taking the class "buddy" Skippyjon Jones on any adventures with you. Skippyjon is a book character, a siamese cat with large ears that make him look like a Chihuahua. In my opinion, he's not the cutest thing, but the kids in Linc's 1st grade class really seem to love him.

Linc's "Packed with Stuff About Me!" posterboard.

The class book in which each student writes about their adventures with Skippy. 

Skippyjon Jones showing off his series of books to us at the library. 

Skippyjon playing giant checkers at the library.

Cassidy trying to beat the Skippy at checkers! 

Lincoln converting Skippyjon into a Tigers fan. 

Skippyjon showing off the Easter eggs that we dyed.

We spent one of our Spring Break days in Milwaukee at the children's museum.  Below, you'll see Skippyjon riding a Harley Davidson.

Here, Linc and Cass are running the real estate office. 

Safari adventure, anyone? 

Underwater adventure with a scuba diving Mr. Potato Head!

How can one resist the giant toothbrush? 

Brusha brusha.

I think Cass was trying to play Heart and Soul a la Tom Hanks in Big.
Oh wait, that was my wishful thinking. She was just dancing around on the adorably giant piano keys. 

little hoopsters '13

Lincoln enjoyed another season of basketball this winter. After watching Space Jam (the Michael Jordan/Warner Bros. movie from 1996), he's decided that he wants to be a basketball star when he grows up. 

Showing off his blocking skillz. 

Proud owner of a "participant" trophy. 

Easter '13

One of our favorite Eastertime activities is the traditional dyeing of the Easter eggs. Cassidy enjoys coloring the eggs, but doesn't eat them. Lincoln is a fan of both, coloring and eating.

Cass & Linc's eggs.

New fashion statement? A headband made of an Easter palm. 

Cassie's favorite treat from the Easter bunny: Airheads.
Yup, it's early on Easter morning , Cass is still in her Dora nightgown, and she's eating an Airhead.
What's not to love about Easter morning?