Last weekend...(or I guess 2 weekends ago at this point!)

It's been a busy week!
Last weekend, Caroline had her actual recital. It was on the stage at Libertyville HighSchool! Seeing her up on stage under the lights...she did such a great job. I was so proud! They wouldn't allow any photos or videos, so here are the pics from after the show.

Later that afternoon, we went to an amazing "farm party" in Wauconda. It rained (unfortunately), but what a blast we had seeing all the cows, riding horses, playing on all the moonwalks, and eating ribs and ice cream!

mmmm...farm germs

Racetrack

Friday afternoon, the family headed to Arlington racetrack for a little horse-racing. It was a beautiful afternoon and the kids had a good time running around, watching the band, and oh yeah, watching the horses race.

Memorial Day

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the men and women that have served, and are serving our country. Thank you for fighting for our freedom. We will be forever indebted to you.

Making flags for Memorial Day

Ballet Recital

Caroline had her dress rehearsal for her first ballet recital. We were allowed to watch and take pictures. Yippee! (We're not allowed to at the "real" performance.) Here is my little ballerina in all her tutu glory!

Birthdays, last day of school, etc...

We celebrated BB's birthday with pizza and red velvet cake. Mmmmm!

Caroline celebrated her last day of school. I can't believe that her 2nd preschool year is over!

September - first day of school May - last day of school

Caroline with her teachers

Caroline got a new dress up dress at a garage sale that she has worn every single day since we got it.

And CLayton has been found sleeping UNDER his bed instead of in it on several occasions. (and in case you're wondering - it is NOT a comfy spot. He has to turn his head sideways to even get under there. ) He goes under there to retrieve a dropped paci and ends up passing out.

Little Bum

Bring on the summer!

Bring on the summer, we're all ready!

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...and someone's ready for trouble. My little Dennis the Menace figured out how to help himself to a snack.

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a wonderful mother's day... cards and red roses from the kids (with a little help from Daddy), a photo book with pics from our trip to Florida from my parents, and then a fabulous brunch at Westmoreland with Mom, Dad, Taylor, and Grandma. What a GREAT day! I love being a mother more than anything and feel so blessed to have three beautiful children!

Growing with Mr. Bear - 13 1/2 months

What have we been up to these days?
Austin is walking EVERYWHERE these days. He is officially a walker and almost never crawls anymore. (sigh. It is a good thing, but it's also a little sad knowing the crawling chapter in our house has come to a close.)

He is starting to get into mischief...goodbye baby, hello toddler! He loves to stick his hands in the toilet and play in the water...(I know...so gross.) He is starting to climb up onto things - stools, coffee tables, picnic tables outside, etc. He also loves to chuck things down the stairs - shoes, clothes, toys, etc. We are in trouble now!

We've been playing outside a lot - gardening, picking dandelions, playing on the swingset, etc.

My two little blondies...

All clean after getting muddy outside (and even eating a few handfuls.)

My little engineer/inventor is busy building his own vacuums and contraptions of every sort and variety. Everyday, I find some random combination of household items/tools that he has assembled together.

Caroline is really starting to be able to draw actual things (versus sribble scrabble.) I love seeing all her new art creations! Here is her picture of "spring".