Mother's Day Weekend

May 7-8, 2016:  We had such a great Mother's Day Weekend.  We got to spend Mother's Day with BOTH of our Moms (first time this has happened!)  Marc's parents had planned to stay for the weekend and then my parents asked to come the same weekend.  We all had fun together.  Saturday morning started off with a couple of baseball games--we got ot watch Macey & Kinnick play.  We spent Saturday afternoon relaxing and Marc & I had an event to attend Saturday night.  My parents took the kids out to dinner and swimming at their hotel and Marc's parents helped get them to bed that evening.  It was fun having a night out and knowing our kids were getting spoiled by their grandparents! 

Once we know that both of our parents (and sisters) were coming, we called around to a few different places to see about getting reservations for brunch.  We couldn't find any place to accomodate our large group for a lunch-time meal so Marc offered to cook brunch for everybody.  He did an AMAZING job planning and executing this meal.  He wouldn't let me help at all.  (I eventaully talked him into letting me make a coffee cake to contribute to the feast!)  We enjoyed church, beautiful weather, and an incredible meal.  After brunch all  the parents took off.  Marc let me relax while he cleaned up everything.  Later in the afternoon we went to the forest preserve for some hiking/bike riding.  We ended our night with "supper" at TCBY (one of my favs!)  This worked out great since we were all still stuffed from brunch.  It wasn't our traditional Mother's Day of Starved Rock hiking and R Grotto pizza but it couldn't have been more perfect!

Baseball:

The kids decorated some extra cookies I had!

Swimming at Grandpa & Grandma's Hotel

Morning Star Mission Gala:

Mother's Day Pictures:

Aunt NeeNee

Aunt Kassie

Grandma & Grandpa Henry

Grandma & Grandpa Gorsch

Brunch:  Cinnamon Roll Waffles w/ Cream Cheese Icing, Strawberry Cream Cheese CoffeeCake, Cheesy Eggs w/ Peppers & Onions, Bacon, Spinach Salad, Watermelon, BBQ Ribs, Mac & Cheese, Cheesy Broccoli Casserole, Corn, & Party Potatoes

Chillin' with my Baby:

Hiking & TCBY:

Sadie surprised me with this cute earring holder--I love it!

Mother's Day Spring Sing/Sadie's 3rd Grade Field Trip

May 6, 2016  All mothers know how hard it can be sometimes to do all the things with all the little people in your home...  This day was no exception.  I signed up to chaperone Sadie's filed trip and later found out that it was the day of the Mother's Day Spring Sing.  I told Macey I would come to her program and told Sadie I would have to back out of the trip.  Well, Sadie was super upset and Macey was somewhat oblivious.  After more discussion with both girls and some phone calls to relatives we came up with a plan that Aunt NeeNee would go to Macey's Spring Sing and I could go with Sadie on her filed trip.  Both girls were excited.  I arranged with Macey's teacher to come into the classroom first thing in the morning to take pictures with Macey and to see my gifts.  Of course, we made it to the morning of and Macey was crying because I wasn't coming to her program...  Sometimes you just have to give lots of hugs and kisses and let it be enough.  I love both of these girls so much!!  It was a special day--   

Bus Ride

Sadie & her friend, Mia

Sadie's field trip was to "Feed my Starving Children"

Soccer Sundays 2016

April/May 2016:  We once again participated in "Soccer Sundays".  Macey & Kinnick both played.  Macey was in the pre-school cateogory (4's & 5's).  Kinnick moved up a level.  Marc and I helped coach the pre-schoolers (we rotated each week so one of us could hang with Carver).  The kids had fun and enjoyed playing with some of their friends...

Cooking with Sadie

April 27, 2016:  My darling daughter loves to cook & experiment in the kitchen.  She loves to create her own recipes or adapt ones she is making.  This is different for me because I have always been a recipe follower.  I'm getting more adventurous now but I still don't create my own recipes.  Sadie loves to watch youtube videos about cooking and try recipes she finds.  She also enjoys using pinterest to look for recipes.  When she works in the kitchen, it's always messy, but worth it if she is learning how to prepare meals.  I love having my kids in the kitchen with me (most of the time!)  Keep it up Sadie Sue!

Sadie & Lisandra

April 21, 2016:  Just a few pics of Sadie and her BFF, Lisandra...

Kinnick's Animal Project

April 21, 2016:

Kinnick's 1st grade class did animal research projects.  Kinnick's project was about jelly fish.  They completed their research and wrote their reports at school.  At home, they were supposed to make an "artifact" to share their project (anything from a poster to a powerpoint--whatever they could dream up!)  They also needed to come up with an outfit to represent their animal.  I was SO proud of Kinnick's hard work and creativity on this project...  he came up with the idea for his poster and his costume completely on his own!  (These kind of projects are not my favorite!)  We shopped together to get his supplies.  The only thing I helped him do was cut out the top part of his jellyfish.  He did everything else completely on his own.  They did two days of presentations--the first day they presented for other first grade classes and faculty members in the building.  On the second day, families were invited to hear the presentations.  I love watching this intelligent, creative boy do his thing...