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.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid.

Lincoln celebrated his birthday with a small group of friends at Chuck E. Cheese's. What a great place for a group of 7-year-old boys to burn their energy. They had a blast! 

Chuck and Lincoln.

Mason, Brendan, and Lincoln watching (and dancing along with) Chuck, who was performing on stage.

Lincoln getting his birthday crown from Chuck!

happy happy.

joy joy. 

 

Kevin, Ben, Brendan, Linc, and Mason listening intently to Chuck's instructions.

Happy Birthday, buddy!

The ticket blaster.
This was a special activity for the birthday kid. 

Trying to gather as many tickets as possible. 

This is Lincoln's birthday crown filled with tickets from the ticket blaster. One of Linc's friend's recommended wearing it in the ticket blaster because he thought a bunch of tickets would collect in the crown. He was right! 

Our party coordinator accidentally left the coveted 1,000 Magic Ticket out of the ticket blaster so she gave it to Linc afterward as a reward. He was SO excited as he was able to use the 1,000 extra tickets to choose a bigger prize in the prize center. 

Dad and Linc at the prize center trying to decide how to spend  the 1,400(!) tickets he got throughout the party.

He ended up with a sword, some slinkies, some candy, and some  other little trinkets.
Cassidy chose glow-in-the dark vampire teeth for one of her prizes. She cracks me up.

I'm sure I say this every year, but I really can't believe how big Linc is getting and how much he grows and changes from year to year. I love you, buddy, and I feel incredibly lucky to be your mom.

happy 7th birthday, Linc!

The birthday celebration began Memorial Weekend with a family party at Yia Yia & Papou's house. He loved having the opportunity to play with his cousins, family, and friends all day. 

Linc on his new BMX bike. 

Opening a new tin of Pokemon cards. Oh yeah.

Yummy Pokemon cake from DQ.

Linc and his collection of Pokemon cards.
He loves the binder he got for his birthday to put the cards in. He carries it everywhere he goes! 

Linc's actual birthday was also his last day of first grade. We celebrated by checking out the new bakery in town. The kids and I tried some yummy treats -- whoopie pie, chocolate chunk brownie, red velvet cupcake, and giant homemade oreo. Delish! Because we had some rainy weather, Linc's baseball game was cancelled so we went to Red Robin for his birthday dinner. 

Lincoln with his new world map floor puzzle, which goes perfectly with the United States floor puzzle that he has. The kid knows more about geography than I do at this point! 

Dad, Linc, and Cass. 

birthday q's: 7-year-old Lincoln.

Happy 7th Birthday, Lincoln! 

We'll begin by posting the annual birthday questionnaire: 

Name:  Lincoln

Age: 7

  

     1.    What is your favorite color?

Red. Why? Because it looks cool.

     2.    What do you like to eat?

Pastitio because it has a sauce that I like.

     3.    What foods do you dislike?

Tomatoes because they’re way too juicy. I also don’t like potatoes unless they’re French fries.

     4.    What is your favorite toy?

Pokemon cards, apps on my new tablet and on mom’s Kindle, Wii (Mario Sports Mix, Just Dance 4).  

     5.    What is your favorite book?

My Weird School series.  

     6.    What is your favorite tv show/movie?

Pokemon tv series and movies.

     7.    Who is your best friend?

I have a lot of good friends like Mason, Sophie, Brendan, Alaina, Ben, Kevin, Sean M. My sister and cousins are also good friends.

     8.    What are your favorite things to do?

Play video games and do sports. I also like to play outside with friends and Cassidy as much as possible.

     9.    What are your least favorite things to do?

Get grounded/time outs, chores.

     10. What is your favorite thing to wear?

Shorts and short-sleeved shirts (Detroit sports shirts especially.  Why? Because I can get fresh air when I wear them.

     11.  Who is the most important person in your life?

My family. Why? Because I wouldn’t have a place to live, I wouldn’t have any food to eat.  

     12.  What would be the best thing someone could give to you?

A million bucks so I could buy Pokemon cards.

     13.  What is your day like? (When do you get up? What do you do all day? When do you go to sleep?)

On school days, dad wakes me up at 6:30, I get dressed and have breakfast before I get on the bus at 7:30. Mom makes my lunch while I eat breakfast. I go to school until 2:25. After school, I have a snack and talk about my day with mom and Cassie. I also do homework if I have some. Then I either play with friends or go to sports/swimming until dinner. After dinner, I might have other homework or reading to do or I play until shower time at 7:30. I read with mom or dad before bed each night and I go to sleep by 8:30.

On the weekend, mom and dad say I have to stay in bed until 7:00. I go downstairs on my own and watch tv until mom comes down. Then I’m usually hungry for breakfast. Sometimes I try to make my own yogurt and cereal (if the milk isn’t full) now.

     14.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

A basketball player. 

three/four-year-old preschool. check.

Check, check, and double check is what Cassidy likes to say when she's completed something. May 17th was her last day of preschool for the year. She started off as a shy, rule-follower. Not much has changed. She still prefers the company of her teachers in lieu of playing with friends at free play time.

We did enjoy the academic strides that accompany the first year of preschool. It's cute to see how her illegibly scribbled letters at the beginning of the year have turned into her printed name at the end. The dining room is filled with art project upon art project, which is something that Cassie really seemed to enjoy. She also enjoyed coming home with her "Great Work" certificates for cleaning up, participating in class, etc. She most certainly benefited from the routine, the socialization, and the group activities.

Way to go, Cass!

Last day of school with her paper flower art project. 

Her final butterfly-themed art project.