Brett's spring program and afternoon fun!

After Brett's spring program the kids are allowed to leave school- so I took half a day off of work and spent the rest of the day with the kiddos. The weather was nasty and rainy so there weren't many options....decided with the help of a smart kid minded friend that we should dye easter eggs! The kids would enjoy doing this 100 times from now to Easter....
so here are their works of art :)

Claire poses with the eggs- shirtless is always the best plan for us!!

Ready to paint!

Brett makes a gorgeous egg...John Deere colors!

Brett sings at his program- he and two of his favorite friends were by each other and it was adorable b/c they were standing very close to each other-
all looking cute in their polos and short hair cuts!

Spring break in Chicago!

We went to Madagascar LIVE in Chicago...here's Claire with her animal eye glasses! The kids really liked it- especially the "move it move it" part :)

B and C at Madagascar LIVE- you couldn't take pics during- so there's just a few of this!

Me and the kiddos at a really cool train cafe in Chicago- the train on the counter delivers the food- the kids love it and always request to go!

Maggie double fists with a corn dog and grilled cheese sandwich!

Annie and Maggie :)

Our whole gang at the Museum of Science and Industry! March 2011

Brett and Claire watch the trains

Me and my sweeties at the museum

Brett and Claire play in the water at the museum

The gorgeous Coenen family :)

Me and Miss Maggie Lynn :)
(I got her up from her nap right after we got there and she just wanted to snuggle and snuggle with me...and she's usually pretty busy to be snuggled- so i cherished the moment!)

Claire at the park- the weather was beautiful while we were there!

As you can see by Claire's face- it was killing her to share this swing even just for one photo!

Brett swinging like a wild man!

Aaron and Maggie Coenen

Build-a-bear

Ok- so for some reason I can never seem to get my pictures in here in order- BUT...here are the kids at Build-a-bear making a stuffed animal. This was both of their first times doing this and they LOVED it and LOVE their animals. As you can see, Claire chose the most obnoxious colored bear they had and named her "Fluffy" (bright blue with peace signs all over it!) despite our urging her toward a more "traditional" looking bear! Brett chose a super soft dog that he named "Swirly" b/c of it's mixed colors (not because he plans to shove it's head in the toilet!). Here are some photos of the fun :)

Brett and Daddy looking for the perfect clothes for "Swirly"

Brett dresses "Swirly" the dog in unders, jeans, and a cyclone t-shirt!

The kids and their creations!

Claire cleans up "Fluffy" the bear

Bath time and brushing...

Mommy and the kids before their animals got stuffed

Claire helps stuff her bear

Brett helps stuff his dog

Basketball season is over!

Claire cheers on her big brother!

Brett comes flying in to play some defense!

Run, Brett, Run!!

"Hey guys, I'm open!"

This photo sums up Brett's basketball season...kind of skipping down the court, interested for a while- but not to long!! He enjoyed it, but is glad that it's over for the season!!

Claire is cooking!

Okay- sorry for the reverse order of the pictures here...BUT- Claire baked some cookies this past weekend. She LOVES to bake and is constantly asking me to make cupcakes or brownies. It seems that she has acquired her mother's sweet tooth! Another major favorite of hers is chocolate ice cream and ice cream sandwiches! She cracks me up :)
Anyhow- I digress...here she is making her cookies at age 3 3/4 (she getting dangerously close to being 4 years old- yikes!!)

watching them through the oven door- I love this picture! Isn't that reflection cool :)
I heart my new camera!!

Yummy peanut butter chocolate cookies!!!

The cutest baker ever! :)

Roller skating adventures!

Julie Tolliver (my SLP friend from work) took our kids skating over the weekend in Humboldt. They all had lots of fun- it was tough to learn at first, but they were getting the hang of it. Claire seemed to have the best balance- but didn't get too far from me! Brett and Grace took LOTS of falls, but were willing to get back up every time!!