Staycation

Our daycare was closed for a few days last week and early this week. We discussed many plans on how to spend our time (from Yellowstone to Door County) but ended up at home spending time with the kids and checking things off our to-do lists.

Several times, we started our day at our favorite coffee shop. Our sitter told us Claire was the first child at her daycare to play 'coffee shop". She wrote orders on cups and called out cappuchinos and lattes for the other kids. I guess we have taken her there frequently.

We introduced Kyle to Wisconsin frozen custard. Kopps is a fun summertime outing.

We set up a pool in the back yard. Uncle Jesse helped us lifeguard.

Unfortunately, Claire wiped out at a park and skinned her knees:(

But, she got some pretty awesome new boat shoes.

 And Lucian and I managed a dinner out to celebrate our 6th anniversary. We went to the restaurant where we had our wedding. Such delicious food!

Kyle's speech is really improving lately. He is saying cheese for a photo here while eating a bagel with cream cheese. Some of his newer words inlcude: light, Spencer (sa sa), car and shoe.

After coffee another morning, we let the kids explore the splash fountains at the mall. I was pretty sure Kyle would end up completely drenched, which he did. But it was fun to not hold him back and see him explore. Luckily we had a towel in the car.

Claire was asking to go fishing, for some reason. We walked across the street to the river and Spen dropped a line in with her. She was a llittle sad she didn't catch anything, but we'll try again. Perhaps with actual bait!

Swimming Bust

Claire began swim lessons last Saturday. We aren't able to do gymnastics this session, since they are during the week day. I brought both kids by myself, Lucian was in a golf outing. We were early and watched the class before us, which seemed to be good. Claire was a little timid, but I figured she would get over it, much like with the first gymnastics class. Boy was I was wrong. Claire cried and would not get in the pool. I squatted with Kyle at the side of the pool the entire class while Claire either stood or sat next to me. She dipped her toe in once after some serious prodding.

Some cute pics of the kids while eating fro-yo last weekend.

Claire loves to bike. She rides her own bike to daycare daily, while Lucian pulls Kyle in the wagon. Lately she has been asking to ride in the trailer as well. We were able to take a nice evening ride  after dinner the other night.

The Graduate

Spencer ended his high school career last Sunday with commencement. We had a celebratory breakfast with Lucain's family before the ceremony.

Spen with Nana & Papa

 Kyle is not well known for chilling in a high chair for long periods of time. Lucian's brother, 'Uncle Jesse', was nice enough to entertain the little guy while we finished eating and took some photos.

 Proud parents

There was a very cool tunnel near the restaurant where Lucain took some fun shots. All the kids loved running in it.

 Claire and Lyds had a blast climbing hills too.

 Mimi stayed with the kids while we attended the ceremony at a theater downtown. I was amazed that with all the crazy-high platform heels every girl seemed to wear, no one tripped or wiped out!

We are very proud of Spencer and all he has accomplished over the last four years. We are excited to see him begin this new chapter.

No Sleep

Kyle kept us up crying last week for two nights in a row. He is an early riser, but not one to be up at night, so I took him to the doc last Friday. Turns out he had an ear infection that led to a ruptured ear drum. Poor guy. He is much better now and finishing up his meds. And we are hoping to feel well rested sometime again in our lives.

Last Friday we attempted a camp out in our back yard, sleeping in our tent. I was worried Kyle would be up with ear pain, but he slept all night. Claire however, woke up very upset around 12:30am. We all headed in the house after that and she proceeded to wake us one additional time. Lucian has hopes of us camping as a family. I was happy to have the house as a back-up this time.

Kyle enjoyed lying on our sleeping bags inside the next morning.

Saturday night, we took a walk so that Claire could ride her bike. She loves cruising on her balance bike through the neighborhood, throwing sticks in the river and seeing the other kids out and about.

Uncle Jesse is very good at longboarding. He carried Kyle while doing it and gave Claire a taste as well. I am amazed, as I can not come close to managing it by myself. Claire thought it was awesome.

Climbing

Kyle's mobility continues to reach new heights. He will now move a step stool to any location he wishes to explore and climb right up. He loves to do dishes in the kitchen.

He chills on chairs...

and maneuvers to reach fancy shelves. I've even caught him on top of the kitchen table.

And speaking of climbing, Lucian and I climbed hills in a 50 mile bike ride last Sunday. Lucian's office put together a team for a charity ride in town. The group consisted of regular cyclists, so they chose the not so challenging (to them) 50 mi. route. I wasn't sure I could complete the ride, but there were plenty of opportunities to just ride home, so I went. In the end I (slowly) reached the finish line and could still stand on my legs for a photo. Not bad.

Our riding has inspired Claire to want a bike like ours. I told her she has to master her push bike first and then she can get a big girl bike. She's working on it.

Daddy Daughter Day

Lucian took the day off last Tuesday and headed into Chicago with Claire for some Daddy-Daughter bonding. They took the train down in the morning, a new experience for Claire, and also took a couple taxis while in the city.

 They spent most of their time at the Field Museum and stopped off at a Chicago favorite popcorn shop too (Claire loves popcorn).

 Claire loved the dinosaurs and animals. She said her favorite thing she saw was a tar station that allowed you to lift dowels stuck in tar and determine if large or small animals would have a more difficult time.

 The two of them had a great time and plan to do it again soon!