February 2018

This month, we took advantage of a long weekend and went up to Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin.  It's a giant indoor waterpark, along with a large gameroom and other activities to entertain the crew.  Of course the kids loved every minute of it and would love to go back someday!  I never took my phone to the waterslide area since there would be no good place to leave it, so I don't have many photos to share.  But - lots of fun was had!

Also, with Tyler going only half days in junior kindergarten, we have almost daily afternoon playdates with our great friend James, who lives on our street.  They get along so well and are the best of playmates!

Gavin and some of his buddies from his winter basketball league got together and took in a Northwestern basketball game with all the dads.  It's impressive to see those college players on the court and perhaps will serve as inspiration for these boys!  Either way, they had a blast.

This month we had the Father/Daughter dance for Cassie and Erik!  This is always a sweet evening that they both look forward to.  The danced the night away and had a great time together.

January 2018

We are in the dead of winter here in Wilmette, but finding ways to enjoy the outdoors and keeping busy as usual.  We've had plenty of snow and hot cocoa, and lots of wintertime sports to keep us active.  We've made snow forts, gone ice skating and enjoyed sledding with friends.  Cassidy is in the midst of basketball season, and Gavin has started his winter workouts with his travel baseball club.  Cassie also learned this month that her yearbook cover design was chosen from all the student entries, so her design will be on the cover of the school yearbook that comes out at the end of this year.  That news made her day, and we are proud of her for putting forth the effort!  She also used her creativity to design her own valentines to deliver to classmates next month - she used an animation app on the computer to complete the design, and printed out copies for Valentine's Day.  We love her creative spirit.  Erik and I enjoyed a fancy night out for our school's annual fundraiser, titled "Showcase."  It was an Oscar's theme, so they rolled out a red carpet and had us pose for a paparazzi photo.  All good fun!

Wacky dress down day at school!

Cassidy with the school principal, Colleen Barrett, just after she learned over the loudspeaker that her drawing was chosen.  They very kindly had a copy framed for her!