the sorcerer's apprentice 2013.

On Friday night, Ethnie performed in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The Classical Ballet Academy opened for Ballet Minnesota as part of this year's MN Music Festival. She had a small part as a 'night creature' and did an excellent job! It's amazing to me how these 4-6 year-olds get up on stage in a filled auditorium and dance. Like usual, I volunteered backstage. It's my favorite part about the performances (other than watching my daughter, of course). I LOVE being backstage watching the company dancers warm up. It's chaotic, but exciting. The only disappointing part is that I have a limited opportunity to take photos. That means having to snap off as many as I can in a crowded dressing room in difficult lighting. 

getting ready!

 (poor girl had severely dry skin under her mouth that cracked open.)

 so excited!

 Ethnie with her friend Kimmy.

 comparing costumes

 telling secrets?

 makeup ready!

 (Ethnie wanted to take a picture of me. She LOVES the camera.)

 coloring with her friends while they wait to line up.

 little butt.

going on any minute! (Ethnie was a little nervous.)

show time!

so very proud of you, Ethnie!

spring(finally!).

Well, spring break has come and gone already. Ethnie had a great little vacation from school. She got to do many fun things. We didn't travel this year during the break; it was pretty restful. But we still had a great week together. I'm glad I was able to be home while Ethnie was on break so I could spend some quality time with her. I feel so blessed to be a mother of these sweet kids!

 

Ethnie kicked off spring break by going to the Sportsman's show with the guys. She found this hot ride and wanted to have one, just like Grandpa Tom!

 

It was amazing to see how much snow melted throughout the week. FINALLY. I don't care if it's mud and brown grass I see, at least it's not snow. Because the weather was much warmer, I spent some time chipping away at the glaciers we had on our sidewalks and patio. Hopefully breaking it up will get rid of it faster so we can actually play in the back.

the kids were making soup.

Patrick.

in heaven with his stick.

Emmett was really happy to have his sister home to play.

I took the kids to this great indoor playground in Woodbury, called Lookout Ridge. I learned that if you go after 6:00, it's only $3.50 per child. Nice! They had a blast and were pretty tired afterward! Emmett was afraid to go on the big slides, but loved watching Ethnie go down them.

waiting for Ethnie...

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of taking Ethnie on a 'mommy-daughter date'. This was the highlight of my week. I rarely get to spend time with my daughter alone, so I took in every moment with her. Our neighbor watched Emmett so we could go. Thanks, Traecy!

We went out for brunch at our favorite place to get breakfast, the Uptowner on Grand. We shared pancakes, sausage and eggs. Soooooo goooood. If you've never been to this place for breakfast, you must. When you do, get the St. Paul omelet. It's Matt and I's favorite.

taking her first yummy bite.

So cute. When we were finished and stuffed, we went to Ethnie's favorite store, Target. She had some money saved up and wanted to buy a new toy. After walking up and down the aisles for about 20 minutes, she made her choice. She bought two ballerina barbies. I am not surprised. She loved going shopping for herself. She said to me, "Mom, this is the best day ever." I was so grateful to spend a couple of hours with my favorite girl in the world.

I saw this picture online and had to post it. We had many moments like this at home too...

We finished our break celebrating Easter. I absolutely love this holiday. It's warming up outside, there's candy everywhere(yes!), family is around, and best of all we get to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I always love going to church on Easter Sunday and focusing on my Savior and what He has done for mankind. His crucifixion and resurrection was the most significant event in history and I am so grateful that He atoned for our sins so we can live with Him again. 

we hosted Matt's family at our house. I tried to make the table festive... 

 my attempt at making bunny folded napkins.

lounging and being silly.

Emmett was tired after a long eventful day. He hit a point where all he wanted to do was take off his clothes and watch a movie. I guess that's a nice way to end the weekend, right?

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. I am looking forward to a sunny week to kick off April.

pass level one. check!

I am excited to announce that after the third time around, Ethnie has passed the level one swimming lesson!!! She has come so far and has worked very hard to get here! She really conquered a fear she had of water and I am so proud of her. She got a card and treats for passing. Level two, here we come!

Ethnie's teacher telling her the good news.

i love family.

I have been thinking a lot about genealogy lately and am very interested in it. On St. Patrick's Day, I decided to start a formal pedigree chart online. Why not do it on a day where I celebrate my ancestry, right? I started my pedigree chart with my dad's family first because my aunt and uncle made everyone in our family a genealogy book that is amazing! I have read that book cover to cover a couple of times and I am amazed at some of the impressive things I now know about my ancestors. I feel like I have gotten to know them and now have a connection.
For example, I discovered that I live just blocks away from where my great great grandparents lived. Blocks away! I have discovered other family members who lived very near to me and have taken a little drive to see the homes in person. The same houses as in the photos still stand! Houses that are 100+ years old and still hold their memories. I've thought about knocking on the doors of these homes so I can peek inside, but I don't want to look like a creeper...
I am excited to continue to work on my pedigree chart and get to know even more of my ancestors.

Matt's mom made this traditional Irish meal. We get to enjoy this yummy food every year! 

There are many perks of being Irish. ;)

snapshots of the week.

We had a decent week. It was busier than usual. We also had a few visitors, including Nana(my mom)! She stayed with us Friday and Saturday and we had a blast! Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures with Nana and the kids. I wasn't very on top of things this weekend.
Here are some cute snapshots from the week.

Emmett put his Mr. Potatohead together all by himself. He only needed help with the mustache and glasses.

We are still taking care of the turtle. Ethnie can't get enough.

Emmett can always turn girlie toys into boyish ones...

Emmett fell into a toy basket and couldn't get out.

Ethnie and I have been playing with her American Girl dolls quite a bit. They are so cute! (I secretly enjoy playing with them.)

thank you, readers!

I am happy to announce that my blog now has over 10,000 hits!!! I know that's a drop in the ocean to many fellow bloggers out there, but it's a first for me and I am excited! It's so hard to keep in touch regularly and stay up to date on everyone's daily life so I created this blog for those reasons. I feel it's important for family and friends to stay informed on how we are doing, especially if we live apart from one another. Personally, I love reading loved ones' blogs because of think of all of you often!

Thanks for stopping by and please continue to do so!  

hey, that's me!

Last month, my friend Amanda and I went out for dinner at Bar La Grassa. My brother was working there at the time so we got a spot at the bar in front of the kitchen so we could watch him.
Shortly after we ordered, a photographer approached us and asked if we'd mind getting our picture taken. She was shooting for the March issue of Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine. After we obliged, she took a few pictures and went about her business. But then we had that feeling like we were being watched...and we were.
For the next hour she kept popping up in different places capturing every move our silverware made. All we could do after awhile was laugh because we were so distracted!
So when I stopped at Kowalski's yesterday to grab a couple things I noticed the 'Best Restaurants' issue and immediately remembered that night. I flipped through the pages and there Amanda and I are, on page 60!

 

there we are!

 

 Fabulous food; I highly recommend it!

Also, check out Burch in Uptown. This is where my brother is working now. Burch is owned by the same Chef, Isaac Becker. Get the pork shoulder!