Monthly Date Night Fun!

We had a fairly low key work week.  On Tuesday, Connor hit the big 15 months which meant Dr check up.  He is a light (which is a bit shocking for how much he eats) 21 lbs but 50% for his height - he sure seems tall to us.  That same day was the spring picture day at school so we look forward to sharing hopefully cute pictures soon!  Maci says she smiled great but Connor only did a little HA

On Thursday morning I got to be the mystery reader for Maci's class.  I was so proud of myself for getting out of work on time and even getting there 5 mins early.  I parked where Maci and class couldn't see my car, slip into the building and hear her teacher say "Maci knows its you."  HOW!?!?  Well it seems I live with the FBI.  On Monday night, Clint was reading to Maci and I thought I was being fairly secretive when I pulled out 3 good books.  Turns out Maci was on to my every move and told her teach, "I know it is my mom, she grabbed 3 books the other night, put them in her work bag and they aren't back in my room yet"  HOLY COW!  So I come in the room and all the kids cheer, I say "Maci are you surprised?"  "No, not at all mom but so good to see you!"  :)  This kid sure is something special.  I had a blast reading the books and getting to do a Q&A session with the kiddos.  After making sure Maci and her class got out to recess OK, I popped by Connor's room - bad idea!  He was in the middle of being pulled way from some other kids because he was hitting.  Turns out our sweet Connor has a giraffe chair in the classroom that he is not fond of sharing.  He attempts to take additional naps on it and if other kids come by he swats at them HA.  So he is sitting alone and looks over to see me, nods, stands up and walks to me.  Once he gets to me I lift him up for a hug and he automatically spits out his pacifier, hands it to the teacher and starts waving goodbye.  OOPS!  It was only 11a, he was not leaving with me so I had him back and tears begin - Yikes!

Friday - TGIF!  Maci requested McDonald's for dinner.  When we pulled up to play at the play land, Clint thought he recognized a car and within minutes it was confirmed when we saw Natalie banging on the window.  Yay, the Cassem's were also there!  It was a great impromptu play date for Maci and her best pal Natalie.  We enjoyed having adult convo while our kids played close by.  What a nice start to the weekend!  We headed home for some basketball and the usual mom falling asleep on the couch by 8p so lame!

Saturday - We started the morning with a movie rental through our Apple TV - Aristocats which Maci was loving since she picked out Marie as her special toy from Disney.

We then headed to dance where Connor was a dancing fool.  One of the teenage girl classes was jamming to Destiny's Child and Mr C loved it!  So funny.

We did the usual grocery trip and headed home for quiet time.  Around 5p we started to get ready for monthly date night!  Clint and I headed to Benihanna (we like that place way more than is normal) and then to a new sports bar (for us) in Minnetonka for cocktails and basketball.  We hung out laughing until about 11p when we realized we needed to pay the sitter and hit the hay because our kids don't sleep past 7a :)

Date Night Prep

 Dinner

 Maci Doing Makeup with Miss Kaitlin

 Sports Bar Silliness

Fun Texting with Mr Neil Malone Too!

Sunday - I had a bit of a rough time getting up today but Clint was very kind in taking the kids until 830a.  Next weekend is his birthday weekend so I will pay back the kind gesture.  It is rainy here today and we are being total lazy bums in this house.  Connor is back down for a nap after playing blocks with me this morning.  Clint ran to get us bagels and a Costco trip this morning and now he too is napping.  Oh and Maci is watching the iPad in the bathroom because she likes to lay by the vent in that room, it is so warm in there - yep she is a special one! HAHA

I hope to doze off soon myself for a lazy Sunday nap.  We are a ok to have a cozy day at home with basketball coming on in a few hours as well!

We are looking forward to the weekend ahead with Clint and I taking Friday off for his Birthday - the big 39!  We hope you all have a great week ahead.
Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C

New Built Ins & Happy St Patty's Day!

The week started with our built ins FINALLY being installed - we had to reschedule the planned date a few times but it was well worth the wait.  Our contractor was here almost 12 hours making sure they turned out just right.  We are very pleased with the final product and even more pleased after this weekend when I decorated them, see the weekend update.

While Clint was working from home to have these beauties installed, Maci was at school having fun with her buddies.  Who doesn't love to paint?!

Our Monday was a jam packed day, in addition to work/school and built ins, we also had Katie Wright visit.  Katie is a friend of Clint's from high school and she was in town for work.  We were so excited she could pop over for dinner and some catch up conversation before heading to her hotel.

Tuesday was Connor's dermatologist check up and they told Clint his skin is looking great so we don't really need to see them any more unless he has a flair up and we want to talk with them.  Otherwise we have a good game plan for his eczema and dry skin.  While they were doing that, I met Maci for the daycare spring party which was Disney themed.  Miss M decided to pick a puppy dog for her face painting - she proceeded to bark the rest of the night - YAY!

The rest of the week fortunately slowed down a bit.  Maci got to enjoy a surprise mystery reader on Thursday, Miss Lindsey.  Miss Lindsey was her former teacher in the earlier pre-school room and she now works at a New Horizon closer to her home.  Maci loved her some Miss Lindsey so was very excited to see her again!  Someone else is mystery reader this coming Wednesday, I need to figure out my book selection :) SHH Don't tell Maci!

Friday was the perfect day for me to work from home, minimal meetings, basketball on TV and lots of laundry calling my name.  I got a lot done at home while the kiddos had a great time in their green at school.  We then enjoyed our usual pizza Friday at home that evening while watching some NCAA excitement!

Saturday - We had the usual dance and then to some errands.  Our last errand took us to Target for the weekly grocery trip but I had also been studying a lot of websites on how to decorate built ins.  I loaded up on all sorts of home goodies for the shelves at Target and I am so proud with the finished product.  It honestly feels like something I could see in one of those pictures online :)

Also Decorated the Fireplace for Easter

That evening we decided to take the kids to Dave and Busters for dinner, games and basketball watching.  Miss M threw some temper tantrums which made the evening not too terribly enjoyable but that was quickly forgotten when she bought a pixie stick and whoopee cushion with her winnings.  The kids loves that stupid fart noise and tries to be tricky but is so obvious when she tries to put it under you HA

We let her get this crazy sugar drink with gummy worms

She thought it was too SOUR - it was straight sugar ICK!

Sunday - Getting lots of little things done around the house while Connor naps and Maci plays in her room.  Clint is enjoying games in the basement and I am about to run some errands.  It is supposed to be almost 60 today so we are hoping to do a playground later today.  In the meantime, we are hoping someone is on their way to pick up our old TV stand from the main living room.  A nice chill Sunday funday around here!

Tomorrow is the start of spring and we can't wait - I want warmer weather, more sunshine and fewer puffy jacket needs!  Let's hope spring temps are here to stay!

We hope all of you have a great week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C

2 Week Catch Up - Disney & Florida Vacation!!

Pictures from Isla's 4th Birthday Party 2 Sundays Ago

This will be a long post since I missed doing the usual post last Sunday as we were at DISNEY!  So let's get caught up on the last 2 weeks and all the amazing vacation photos!

Last Week - We worked the entire week and had a pretty busy week with a happy hour, Boomer getting his teeth cleaned, annual talent reviews and packing.  Of course our favorite part was packing - especially when it includes packing sandals, bathing suits and shorts!

Thursday Baby Shower

Casey and Jackie are Each Due with in Weeks of Each Other 

Note : Casey had her baby Madeline while I was in FL - We will miss Casey!

 Jackie & Casey + Babies

 Daycare Messy Fun 

 How Fun & What Are the Odds. . . . 

Costume Kim came as Minnie Mouse the Friday before our Trip!

On Friday 

I participated at a Volunteer Event for Feed My Starving Children

 over lunch with my co-work Bjorn, his family in from Belgium and my co-workers Jess & Megan

Saturday - Finally it was the day for us to leave.  Clint took Maci to dance class to burn off some energy and allow me time to keep packing in quiet.  Once Clint and Maci came home with Breakfast, we finished packing and were off to take Boomer to his baby sitter's house before venturing to the airport.  Miss M loves going to the airport - I guess flying a few times a year since being a baby will do that to you :)

 Ready for Airport

 Wanted to show Grandma we are using her book bag but Maci had other plans UGH

Lunch at Ike's in the Airport

 And then we were off!

Maci's attitude continued for my picture fun!

We got in around kiddos bed time so kids fell asleep in the car 

but we were sure to catch this sign on the drive to the hotel!

Sunday - Disney Day!!!!  I may have been more excited than the kiddos and for good reason - it was an awesome day!  We got up and were sure to be on the hotel bus to have us at Magic Kingdom right as the gates opened.  The kids did awesome and made it all the way to dinner time - so not park close/fireworks like we were hoping but they got tired of lines - understood!  We hit the hotel in time to order some pizza, do some baths and then hit the hay - what a day?!  So magical and now ready for the beach!

Early Risers - Rocking their Disney Shirts

 Study Daddy in the pic

 The Castle!

 1st Stop was a Souvenir Stand 

Ears & Autograph Book = a Must!

 Family of 4 

Darn Sun was in our Eyes

 Mesmerized by the Morning Welcome Show at the Castle

 1st Ride = Cinderella's Carousel 

Look at that Big Boy!

 Connor LOVED it!

 Cheese!

 Selfie Fun ;-)

 Ride 2 = Dumbo

Teacup Time

 Waiting for Rapunzel & Tiana - Excited!

 Sad Connor

 She LOVED Tiana's Big Dress

 Great Conversation about Tattoos with Jasmine and Aladdin

 "Donald Duck - you are so funny!"

 Nope - Connor was having none of this

 Poor Connor Cant Get Close Enough to Daddy and Maci is in LOVE

 Waiting for Miss Daisy Duck and Miss Minnie Mouse

Happy Campers!

 "Daisy's shoes are so pretty"

 "Mom, I am Minnie's Twin with my Ears"

Connor turned right around after this picture HA

 She has waited her whole life to meet this one 🤣

 She now loves Elena of Avalor

 Parade Time

Great way to see all the characters for a 4 year old!

Belle & Beast

 Cinderella

 Tiana

 Anna & Elsa

 Rapunzel

Ariel 

 Peter Pan and Wendy 

"Who Mom?"

 Tinkerbell

 Snow White & Dwarfs

 Alice and Wonderland

"She isn't a princess, mom"

 Minnie and Mickey!

Tinkerbell

Long Line & Quite a Big Talker

Ariel So Pretty but Opposite of Tinkerbell - 

she barely spoke and moved those kids through 

Monday - After a wonderful day at the park, Maci shared she had the best day ever but didn't need to go to Disney again because, well those are really long lines mom HAHA ok love bug!  While dad finished loading luggage, we had fun with the photo spot in front of our hotel.

We couldn't wait to get to Aunt Susie and Mike's boat and the beach in Daytona Beach!  Kids took a great nap on the drive in late morning.  We were there by lunch, got settled and headed out for some food.  It was a little chilly/windy that day but it didn't stop Maci from making a pit stop at the beach :)

When we got back to the boat, the sun was coming out and it was a great afternoon to sit on the porch (?) I don't know boat terms :)  Connor took a little snooze while we had cocktails and chit chat.

That evening we headed to dinner at a wonderful restaurant. Emmaleigh (Clint's cousin/god daughter) was in town for her college spring break so they also met up with us to see the kiddos and enjoy some catch up convo as well - thanks for coming guys!

Love Maci's Tongue out in 50% of my pictures URGH!

Tuesday - We started our day with a dolphin boat cruise.  Maci mainly loved the lizards we found in the sunny bushes while waiting for the boat to load.  However, she did great on the boat ride and it was a gorgeous morning to be out at sea.

 When did she get so old?!

 Fuss Butt!

Teething and a Cold will do that UGH

 The Crew and Maci being Maci

After the cruise, we headed back to their boat and let Connor nap!  Maci played some games in her cabin and a few of us adults may or may not have snoozed during some downtime.  Once everyone arose, we were off to the beach.  It was a perfect afternoon for it.  At times the skies looked overcast but it was about 80 degrees and minimal wind - so fun!  Maci LOVED the sand and was happy with the water being a bit too cold for swimming.  She found a coconut but when she dropped it, a crab came running out and that made all of us scream a bit :)  Even Connor would stop fussing when daddy would hold him by the water or play with sissy in the sand.

 Father Son Combo

 A boy and his pretzels

 Father and Daughter Fun

I always snap pictures where he looks like her bodyguard haha

 Pure Joy!

 Learning from the Master

 My World!

 Cuties

 So Proud!

 My Family

Poor Connor Man

Wednesday - So sad, time to be going home.  We ate a yummy big breakfast thanks to Mike, took a little walk around the marina, packed while Maci played War with Aunt Susie and sad goodbyes before heading towards the airport around 11a.  What a wonderfully fun getaway to FL.  We hope to be back soon and thank you Aunt Sue and Mike for everything!

Boomer had a great time at Sheila's (thank you!) and we all crashed early Wed night.  I worked from home Thursday to get caught up, great idea!  I then had a hair appointment in the evening and Asia call at night, so it was a long first day back.  Friday was a fairly productive day in the office and Clint agrees it was a lot easier having a 2 day work week :)  Maci was so excited to get back to school and tell her friends all about the boat, sand and Disney.  Fortunately, Connor seems to be getting over his cold so a great adjustment back.

This weekend is fairly lazy!  We are enjoying getting back into the rhythm of our normal schedule.  We did pizza and TV Friday night and have already hit dance and the grocery today.  We are going to take Connor to get his maybe 5th haircut in a bit and then plan to chill with basketball tonight.  Tomorrow we have a lazy Sunday planned as well but will head to dinner with Clint's manager and his wife at night while Amanda next door watches the kiddos.  Minimal pictures or activities this weekend but also just what the Dr ordered after a crazy fun and busy prior weekend & trip :)

We hope all of you enjoy springing forward and have a great week ahead!

Lots of Love,

C, K, M & C