Cassie in The Wizard of Oz

Cassidy was excited to join the theatre club at school this spring!  Their spring play was The Wizard of Oz.  Cassidy and a few of her 2nd grade friends were the youngest cast members; they focused on learning the basics with this play.  Cassie had a number of smaller roles - she was an Ozian (townsperson from Oz), a flying monkey and a jitterbug.  She loved it so much!  No stage fright for this girl and the creativity involved with a big stage performance (costumes, set design, etc.) is right up her alley.  Here are a couple photos - tough to see but she's up there!

Cassie's in the center in the brown outfit, facing towards the back of the stage

Cassie's in the green hat in front

Big thanks to Grammy and Grandpa for coming to see the show!

St. Patty's Day 2015

We had fun celebrating St. Patrick's Day once again this year!  Cassidy's Irish Dance group marched in the downtown Chicago parade and the families joined in the fun just behind their float.  They also did a performance on stage at school for the annual SFX St. Pat's party.  We always enjoy the festive atmosphere and celebrating our Irish heritage (coming from both of my parents/grandparents and beyond).  Happy St. Pat's!

Gavin's Birthday Extravaganza!

Gavin is 6!  Getting so big!  We had all sorts of fun to celebrate our special boy.  He awoke on March 12 to birthday balloons and sweet greetings from his siblings.  He wore a birthday crown all day at school, and for dinner we went out for cheeseburgers (his favorite) and came home for some birthday cake and presents.  The next day was a day off school for teacher meetings, so we had a downtown Chicago adventure - we spent the morning at Maggie Daley Park and followed that with the Museum of Science and Industry.  Dinner was at the Rainforest Cafe (their erupting volcano cake was #1 on his birthday wish list for months!).  Grammy and Grandpa Brown joined us, which was such a special treat!  To wrap up all the birthday fun, the following weekend Gavin had a triple birthday party (triple meaning joined with 2 other birthday boys from his class, his great friends James and Jack!) at our local rec center where they played 3 rounds of sports and had birthday cupcakes.  Whew!  So much fun and we are so grateful for Gavin!

Good Morning Birthday Boy!

Meatheads for Cheeseburgers!

Gavin requested a lizard cake

His latest "cool dude" pose.  :)

Gavin was so excited for a new Spiderman costume! (His old one was 2 sizes too small!)  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Reder!

Legos are a big hobby these days...

Maggie Daley Park!

The nest swings...

Almost fast asleep.  :)

This invention at the Museum of Science and Industry had their attention for a good while (it's where the little silver ball travels through all sorts of contraptions to reach the other end?)  So neat!

Fun times at the Rainforest Cafe

Gavin and Mommy :)

Silly Grandpa!

We were so happy to celebrate with Grammy and Grandpa Brown!

The volcano cake arrives

It's erupting!

Headed home after a very fun day.

The triple birthday party with all the Kindergarten boys from school...

The 3 March birthday boys!

One last celebration. Love you Gavin!