This was the morning after Easter. We had a few minutes of playtime before we needed to leave for school & Norah wanted to test our her little garden mat.

Hugging Daddy's leg

A few snapshots...

snuggle time...

Pajama Day at school

Norah's new favorite things is to sing songs with mixed up words like...
"Old McDonald had a jellyfish!"
"Row, row, row your boat....life is but a chicken!"
"A,B,C,E,F,Y next time please sing with Daddy!"


Stephan and Peri checking out the water at Gramps and Judes new beach rental

Daddy's new pride & joy!

Liza sent over a couple of cute pics she took on Easter.

Norah testing out her new watering can from Pops & Liza.

Grandma & Grammy, MORE pictures to come tonight....I promise!

Happy Easter!

We had a lovely & busy weekend with better weather than we ever could have imagined for the first weekend in April! On Friday, I was lucky enough to have a half day at work and returned home to SUMMER temperatures! I took to the street for a run and then Stephan had a friend sleep over. We all met Casey for a fish fry and enjoyed wearing short sleeves! On Saturday I ran 10 miles which is my longest run to date! I was particularly proud because it rained the entire time, but I kept pushing myself because if it's hot or rains on race day, I have to deal with the weather. The afternoon shaped up to be another gorgeous day. The kids and I went to Shorewood to open Easter baskets with Gramps and Jude & celebrate Jude's birthday. We ate at a new restaurant in the space of an old favorite around the block from our old house. On Saturday evening Stephan was an acolyte during the Easter Vigil at church. It was a beautiful service with a fire in the memorial garden, candles & bells. Stephan also discovered a loose tooth during the service! The next day, Stephan had acolyte duty again & allowed me to take ONE picture. (He was not in a camera mood all weekend...) We were sad to say goodbye to Father John, but look forward to meeting Rev. Debra next week. Mark & Liza stopped by with more Easter baskets and the kids searched for hidden eggs. (Norah also got to hunt for eggs at school last week!) Stephan quickly changed out of church clothes into shorts and built some kind of fort behind the shed in the yard.

My friend Katie recently started a hat & hair clip business on etsy and makes all these adorable creations for Norah. Norah was very excited to open a package full of goodies!

Tonight I commented on Norah's "bare feet," to which she replied "I have girl feet!"

And this was a conversation that had Casey & I laughing...

N: I want to go home

R: We are home

N: I want to visit a different home

R: Where would you like to visit?
N: Bunny

R: Who is bunny?

N: (with a look of disbelief) Mommy, a bunny is an animal in the woods that hops like a frog!

Spring celebration!

Last night was Norah's annual spring celebration at school. There is a silent auction, raffle, games, food, and each class at both the Mequon & Grafton sites performs a dance and song. The theme for the celebration was In the Jungle. Norah's class wore safari hats and performed to a song about going on an animal adventure. Poor Casey was home sick with the stomach bug that Norah and I had earlier this week. (Sorry the pictures are so grainy. It was totally dark during the performances.)

Jack, Norah & Kennedy

Jack's mom and I are in MOPS together. He is about to have a little sister at home!
Norah knows what letter is at the beginning of the names of her classmates. (And she can spell some of the easy ones like Adam and Jack.) The other day at Sendik's, she went through the letters in Sendik's to tell me something that started with each letter. When she got to "k," I thought she said "K for candy." I kept correcting her much to her frustration. Then I realized she was saying "K is for Kennedy."


Jack, Norah, Nora M., Kennedy & Avery
(Avery is one of Norah's very favorite friends.)


Miss Kim, Adam, Norah, Victoria, Nora M., Liam
(Miss Kim is the head teacher in the baby room, but Norah's teacher, Miss Holly, was down in front directing the dance.) performing their dance. Norah did each & every move with lots of flair!

glorious spring

This morning before church.

Stephan was an acolyte today. He has been very excited about this responsibility and looks forward to his "double duty" over Easter weekend when he acolytes during the Easter vigil and on Easter Sunday. Last weekend we volunteered together with other families in his middle school group. I was very proud of how well the kids served hot meals to people in need. Behind the scenes (prep and clean up) they got a little silly, but they were all very friendly to and respectful of the people in line for food.
We have really loved the spring weather!
It's nice to have extra play time after work and school instead of arriving home in the dark.

It has been warm enough to hit a few balls in the yard and

draw with chalk.

Norah and I took this picture of our daffodils two weeks ago. This morning the stems were about six inches tall with buds nearly ready to bloom!

A couple of weeks ago we went to Madison for the weekend because Casey had to work. While he was at the UW Hospital, the kids and I had lunch at Ella's Deli, visited the WI Veterans Museum (Stephan's favorite!) and the Henry Vilas Zoo. There are so many fun & free family activities in Madison.

At the zoo on a nice spring day before the week of warm weather melted the snow.

Stephan's hand compared with that of an orangutan.

We measured ourselves today. At 30 months, Norah is 35.5 inches & weighs 30 pounds. She has gained 2 pounds and grown 1.5 inches since her two year old check up.

Stephan is 5'3! I am 5'4 so it won't be long before he is officially taller!

Our well & mound system make a nice little hill for sledding.