It's a secret!

 Shhhh... don't tell....

...but I think Lucy pooped her pants!

Dad's Post!

In May, Dan made the difficult decision to accept a new job at Gallant Building Solutions in Crystal Lake, IL. The much longer commute means a lot less time with dad at home, but in the end, we knew it was the right decision. The goals and visions of Gallant were much more aligned to Dan's own personal goals and views- which, in the end, makes for a a happier worker. So far, so good.... we are so proud of him!

Zoo

The Salmons bough a "Zoo Pass" for the Milwaukee County Zoo this year. We took advantage as soon as we had a warm day in April... and had a blast. Not only can we go anytime we want, we also get special invitations for classes, events, etc. In June, Maggie took a "bug class" in the morning while mom and Lucy met some friends from Madison and checked out the rest of the zoo. In August, we're all camping at the zoo overnight! So exciting!

 Best part about the zoo? We can pack our own picnic lunch!

 Silly girls!

 Lucy and Maggie check out the scary lion!

 Maggie after her "bug class."

 Modeling her "bug costume!"

Independence

It's official . Lucy has reached THAT age. You know, where every sentence starts with "I do it" or "Let ME do it" or "I do it MYSELF." Ahhhh. We have just learned to get started about 30 minutes before we actually need to- allowing Lucy ample time to "do it herself."

The joys of independent 2 year olds.

(this video was from April- before she became quite so vocal)

...and this is what happens when she is successful. Note she not only took the pants OFF, but managed to put them back on herself ... backwards!

One afternoon while I was putting laundry away, Lucy was quietly playing alone in her room. She was busy putting her "babies" to bed. She was even kind enough to share her precious "plugs" (pacifiers!) with them!

Um... Easter?

Easter. Remember that holiday, like, many months ago?

I'm a little behind. Now that school's done and summer is FINALLY here- my goal is to work on a few posts a day and catch up. We'll see how that goes!

Anyway- we were lucky to spend Easter weekend with the Salmon family in Minnesota. Saturday was a fun, relaxing day. Grandpa Mark set up one heck of an Easter egg hunt. It was totally fun, because all 4 of the little girls actually "got" it this year! After a yummy barbeque, we "celebrated" Maggie's birthday (again!) with a cool Tinkerbell cake that Grandma Bernie ordered from the bakery!

On Easter Sunday, we headed to the nursing home in Rushford to visit with Great Grandma Mindrum and the rest of Grandma Bernie's side of the family. Cousin Caryn organized ANOTHER fun Easter egg hunt for all the little ones and we even managed to snap a few pictures of all the "Mindrum" cousins and grandkids together!

 Fun on the car ride to MN!

 Kayden, Keiran, Lucy, and Mags are READY to hunt for eggs!

 Maggie found one waaaay up in the tree!

 Didn't take Lucy long to get a hang of it!

 Showing off their goods!

 Maggie's Tinkerbell cake!

 Best Buds

 Get both girls to look the same direction in their Easter dresses? IMPOSSIBLE.

 More Easter eggs!

 Look what I found!

 Salmon cousins

The Mindrum (Great) Grandkids

Pirate Paaaaaarrrrrrty

Back in December, I first asked Maggie what kind of birthday party she'd like to have when she turned four (I like to plan early!) I was anticipating "princess," or "fairy," or "ballet," or, heck, even "butterfly," but she answered "I want a pirate party, mom!" Huh? My little girl who puts on high heels to walk to the bathroom as soon as she wakes up in the morning? Pirate party? What?

Anyway- over the course of the folllowing few months, her response was unwavering...she was holding fast to a pirate party! Maggie's birthday fell on a Saturday this year, which meant we were lucky to celebrate with family and friends on her actual day!

After a great breakfast of "4" shaped pancakes (duh! I forgot to take a picture!) and opening presents from mom, dad, and Lucy (Lucy picked the BEST gift- and Ariel mermaid stuffed animal/doll!) the festivities began! Gramma showed up dressed as Captain Hook and lots of other friends came in their pirate clothes, too! The kids played in a pirate ship (it was supposed to be in the backyard- but it was raining), played "Pin the Patch on the Pirate," and even had a pirate ship pinata... all in all, it was an AWESOME day! :)

 Maggie's invitations. We stuck 'em in bottles and hand delivered

to all of our guests! So fun!

 Maggie answers the first of many birthday calls. Lucy gets jealous.

 Maggie shows off her "pirate ship!"

 Pirate ship cake and pirate cookies!

 Captain Hook and Maggie

 Our favorite babysitter, Kendra!

 Our littlest "pirate" guest- Claire- and her mom, Julia

 Maggie and Katelyn get ready for the pinata

 Happy Birthday, Maggie!

 Maggie and Katelyn and Madelyn

 Papa the Pirate!

 Lucy helps with presents....

 New bike helmet!

 What a great day!

Maggie Turns 4!

I am officially the mother of a "preschooler." Sigh. I realize it's probably all in my mind, but since Maggie turned 4 on the 16th, I swear she lost any last hint of "babyness"- you know, those dimples in her arms and fingers, the chubbiness in her cheeks and thighs. Swaddling and bottles have turned into princesses and lipgloss. Now, when I look at her, all I see is "little girl."

Where did the last 4 years go? And can someone slow down the next 4 years please? Happy, happy birthday to the little girl who changed my world in the most amazing and unexpected way.... I love you soooo much!