Memorial Day Weekend

We had very few obligations this long weekend, which felt great. Frida had a vet appointment and the rest was up to us.

Spencer joined us for a few days. Claire was overjoyed that he was home. Sadly, this is the only photo I took. I was doing some work in another room when Spencer texted me that Dad and Frida had fallen asleep on top of him. Of course I went to check it out.

We've had an old Honda motorcycle sitting unused for years now. We finally got it up and running, so Lucian and Papa Dave went for some rides. Kyle loves the bike and wears his helmet to ride his motorcycle "chicken" (the name he picked).

Claire loves to practice reading. She found Frida can be both a great listener as well as a backrest.

We set up the slip n' slide one day and the bounce house the next. The kids were entertained while I planted some vegetables in the garden box.

We took a long bike ride on a nearby paved trail. We ended the ride at a park with a beer garden. We don't mess around;)

And I finally got around to using some rhubarb from my parents' house. Strawberry rhubarb pie is Lucian's favorite! I don't mind it either.

Feels Like Summer (Finally)

Our weekend started off with the wedding of good friends Friday night. Unfortunately, Lucian was traveling for work and couldn't be there, so Claire went as my date. The bride's daughter is her good friend as well. She ran around all night with a gaggle of kids and had a grand time.

I had my parents at the house while Lucian was away. We all made it to watch my nephew's Lacrosse game on Saturday. The weather was beautiful.

We were all able to grab lunch together as well.

Later that day, our local library was celebrating it's 30th anniversary. We headed over and explored a firetruck, played games and jumped in the bounce house.

Claire even got a manicure.

Lucian returned Saturday afternoon, and we spent as much time as we could outside. Claire attended a birthday party Sunday and we went for her longest bike ride ever. Super proud of her.

The Beach

Sunday afternoon merited a trip to the park. This particular park is becoming a favorite of mine. We've been coming here for years. We hosted our wedding picnic here and Spencer's graduation party. But recently it feels like the perfect mix of kid, dog and nature friendly activities. We typically start at the playground, which is right next to the parking lot. One of us plays with and chases the kids, while the other plays with and chases Frida. There's lots of open space and other kids and dogs to fraternize with. Next we make our way down a path to the beach. It's still early, so the beach is rarely crowded. Every time, I'm reminded just how big and beautiful Lake Michigan feels. It's great to live so close.

Mother's Day

The kids completed this session of swim lessons. Claire is moving up again and really showing progress. Kyle loves to swim and can't wait to go to a water park next.

We traveled to my parents this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day together. The kids enjoyed watching a movie with Nana...

... and breakfast at one of my home town favorites.

I asked my parents to pick up a pedal bike for Kyle that I found on Craigslist. He was super excited to try it out.

And I went for a training run so I can keep up with Kyle on his bike (while my parents watched the littles). A mother's day present to me! 

What's New

My niece, Lucy, got to observe one of my TV shoots as a job shadow project for school. The crew had her slate a scene as they taught her about the process. Props to her school for encouraging exposure to professions, that frankly I knew little about at her age.

Kyle got a haircut. He brought T-rex with him for a quick trim too. Luckily the stylist didn't charge us for Rexie;)

There are moments these guys get along. The kids were telling secrets while out for breakfast the other day. Kyle would just say the name of a dinosaur. I'm not sure what Claire was saying, but they both were laughing at each other's comments.

Claire is participating in spirit squad at school. They meet once a week to learn a dance routine that they will perform at an all-school assembly, as well as a separate performance for parents. She is really enjoying the practices and was so excited to get her official t-shirt.

Kyle is mastering the balance bike. I suspect he will be an independent pedal biker this summer.

And Claire is perfecting her reading skills.

Welcome Spring!

This lovely spring kite, made by Claire, was just one of the highlights of her school's open house. We visited her classroom and met teachers all while introducing Kyle to his school for next year!

Claire walked us through the book selection and check out process in the library. 

Weekends lately are filled with time outside, bike rides and trips to the park. On a recent outing, Kyle pretended to fish with sticks and both kids skipped rocks.

We also spend time at the play structures, of course. 

Frida explored the beach. She unintentionally jumped in the cold water as well. Classic Frida. 

We've really enjoyed spending time outside in the warm sun. Hope it sticks around. 

And this beauty lost her other front tooth. Corn on the cobb season will be challenging, I think;)

Spring Break Trip

We headed to Florida again this year for spring break. Our flight left at 9pm and got in close to 1am Eastern time. Both kids watched a movie and slept on the flight.

With all the stuff to carry, I needed Claire to walk and pull her suitcase when we landed. She was a trooper!

Lucian's sister and her family were there the first 2 days of our trip. Claire and Lydia really enjoyed some pool and beach cousin time.

We cooked some meals in and went out for dinner most nights. 

Kyle is obsessed with dinosaurs as of late. Most pictures of him consist of dinosaur poses and roaring.

Even when wrangling a crocodile.

The sunsets were beautiful.

And the sand was perfect for castles and creations. 

We tried to spend mornings at the beach and afternoons at the pool, since it wasn't sunny there until after lunch.

We had more special visitors too. Lucian's grandma and aunt were there most of the week.

And Nana Kathleen made a brief appearance as well. They even watched the kids one night while Lucian and I went out to dinner alone!

We made another friend that lent us some capes. Love this shot of Kyle admiring his shadow.

It's been hard to return to Wisconsin spring. Snow in April just isn't right if you ask me.