Cassidy's First Race and First Movie Theatre Trip

Here it is folks, the update from my first race!

 Grandma and I stretched pre-race. I was showing her how to do it.

 Pinning on my first race bib. I was very confused when Daddy called it that.

 Yep, I'm ready to go. I was so excited for my debut in the running circuit.

 Mom, Dad, and I before my race. I was all nerves :)

 I took some time for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa too. They came to visit just to watch me run.

 At the starting line. I was checking out the competition. Really I was wondering why my parents didn't buy me nice running shoes like that girl next to me.

 I didn't realize what was happening when the bullhorn went off so I got started a little late.  What can I say I'm a newbie. I can redeem myself in two weeks at the Reagan Run in Dixon.  Either way this race was a Personal Record (PR) for me.

 Check out my form. I know what I'm doing, or I fake it well.  I did get a little distracted in my run when kids kept running off the course crying. I wasn't sure what that was all about.

 Post race picture with the NITRO squirrel. This is mom and dad's running group "Northern IL Trail Runners Organization"

 To celebrate my first race I got to go to my first movie at the theater. We even got popcorn.

 We saw the movie, "Brave." Mom, the scrapbooker, just had to take pictures of this momentous event.

 Getting all situated before the movie. I was okay during the movie, but I would have been less restless if they didn't have 30 minutes of previews before the movie.  Also, dad was on call for work and he got called out of the movie several times. I really wish those people in Dixon would stop committing crimes so Dad could have watched the whole movie with me.

I was very excited about this huge bag of popcorn.  A good weekend, and it's only Saturday night. Tomorrow is 3 year old pictures (a little early, but I can't imagine I'll change that much in a month)

Hot, Sweaty, Messy Weekend

This past weekend was action packed for our family. We had the Schahl's over all weekend, Saturday Mom, Dad and Aunt Kim ran the Warrior Dash, and Sunday we went to a Kane County Cougars game for Father's day.

 Here is the group at the start of the Warrior Dash. Mom and Dad ran with (from left-mom's friend Abbey, Aunt Kim, mom's friend Erin, and Erin's brother Brad). They looked so nice and clean before they went out.

 Post-race picture.They are all warriors now!

I was not happy with how messy mom and Dad were after the race. When they headed to the showers I even yelled after them, "And don't come back muddy this time."  Gees, you'd think I was the parent in this family.

 I refused to pose with mom and dad for a picture, even though they tried.

 Once we got home from the Warrior Dash we played in the pool. Isaac rigged up this water slide, which was a great idea. We just ran in circles going up and coming down the slide, giggling all the way.

 We splashed so much that we lost a lot of the water in the pool, so Carly and I helped fill it back up. Did I mention we had to cool off because our air conditioner (the brand new one from last summer broke). It's under warranty which Mom and Dad say is a good thing, but boy is it hot in our house. In fact last night Mom and Dad came into my room while I was sleeping and had to change my sheets, diaper etc because I was so sweaty.

 On Sunday we went to a Kane county Cougars game. Dad bought the tickets as a group, so our name got to be on the big screen. It only took mom 3 tries to get the picture taken at the right time. We had a big group, Gramma Kitson, Aunt Jen, Ellie, Isaac, Aunt Kim, Uncle Jason, Carly, Molly, Uncle Doug, Aunt Chris, Emily, Grandma and Grandpa Gerken, Uncle Brett, Aunt Patti, and Uncle Tim.  It was so much fun with everyone there. We missed Bakka, he had to travel to Michigan for work, and Uncle Andrew and Aunt Wendy who were busy.

 Aunt Patti, Grandma and I at the game. It was definitely a hot game!

 Carly and I had a blast hanging out together all weekend.

 Daddy an I enjoyed some Dippin Dots thanks to Aunt Patti for buying them.

 The Grandma's had fun with all the little kids. Carly sort of adopted my other grandma too.

Uncle Brett and Grandpa enjoyed the game, but I think they enjoyed it most when at the end of the game there seats were shaded.

Well that was our fun and hot weekend. I hear the air conditioner is supposed to be fixed this afternoon, which will be nice since we're in the midst of several 90 degree-humid days.

Next weekend is my big race, we'll post more pictures then.

Your majesty!

 Since my cousins are all coming to visit this weekend I thought I should update on my past few weeks, because I know we'll have lots more pictures after this weekend.

We had a very busy memorial day weekend at home. Friday night began with dad taping the woodwork in preparation for mom's painting. Mom and Dad have been wanting to do it for a long time (well since they moved in nearly 3 years ago. The purchase of a new tv stand became the catalyst for it all to happen. I was only allowed to pretend to help. Then Dad and I were banished from the Mom and her friend Becky did all the painting.

The color of the room is so nice. I was shocked and kept saying how blue it was to mom and dad. We all love our new living room. It completely changed the room. We'd love to have you over in person to see it, come by anytime.

 

 Memorial Day was a hot one, but Mom, Dad and I headed to the parade and memorial day ceremony. It was very nice and I was most excited because I got two American flags to wave.  Now I point out every flag I see everywhere we go.

 

I even worked on my photography skills again. I took this cute picture of mom and Dad.

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 We got my pool and new swimming suit out so I could do some swimming. So refreshing on a hot day.

 We had quite a jam packed memorial day weekend of family fun. On Monday afternoon we headed to the Frisbee golf course and I tried my hand for the first time at Frisbee golfing. It was just okay. I kept asking Mom and Dad when we were going to the park, they sort of tricked me into thinking I was going to the park.

 Mom taught me how to throw a frisbee. It's difficult for her because she has to learn to teach me things left-handed, since that is still the way I prefer.

 I was good at getting the discs out of the baskets though.

 Finally, after 9 holes of golf, Mom and Dad took me to the park, but look...Dad made me push him on the swing. Doesn't this seem backwards?!?

 The next weekend we saw the Hellman's and I got to play with my best friend, Kayleigh. I told Mom that she was my best friend. We had a great afternoon/evening and I got to stay up way late that night.

 Last weekend Dad was out of town so Mom and I drove to visit the Strocks who were camping 30 minutes from our house. I went in the lake and build a sand castle with Ellie. It was fun, I think we'll go back again when they camp there.

 I even got to roast my first marshmallow and have my first ever S'more.

 I only ate a bite, and then tried to share with Uncle Brian. He didn't seem interested in my leftovers once he realized they were pre-soaked...hehe

 Dad came home from his trip early (he finished 3rd out of 24-but we know I can beat him), which was very exciting for Mom and I.

 We decided to take advantage of the nice afternoon and visit our community pool for the first time. We had a blast. When we first got there though the whistle blew for everyone to get out and take a break. I didn't understand why I couldn't go in.

 It was soo hot out that you dried off right away. The perfect day for the pool.

 The little kids area was so much fun. We also went in the big pool for awhile too. I was nervous at first, but then I couldn't stop smiling and laughing.

Last night Dad brought home a beautiful princess dress that Sandy at his work gave him. I put it on last night, danced around. I only took it off to go to bed. Then this morning I put it back on and Mom and I ran lots of errands. It's amazing how many compliments you get when you put on a fancy dress and go shopping.  Nothing like a little tulle to make your trip to Goodwill and Aldi seem like the royal ball!

Above is a picture of me in my dress being Doctor. Who say's the doctor has to wear a boring old lab coat!

Here's a video from last night.

Cousins, Races, Etc

Time to update you on what I've been up to lately, which is to say a lot!

I get to dress myself, and this is what I chose one day. Mom thought I looked just like a little school girl, which of course was adorable. This outfit was one of my better choices. I have also worn patterned socks with sandals, patterns that don't match, pink with red with fuschia, and yesterday I even wore a coat to the park in 92 degree weather. Have I mentioned I'm fiercely independent and Mom and Dad realized long ago that letting me pick my clothes was one way to make their lives easier.  Plus what harm is there in it. Mom gets funny looks when I wear a coat or stocking cap to the park or a helmet while I walk, but who cares, I'm 2!

Helping mom make pancakes for dinner one night. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to help her in the kitchen, whether she wants me to or not.

Do you like this picture? I took it. I have taken a serious liking to photography lately. I grab the camera any time I can and take pictures. Mom has turned the camera on before to find 20 + pictures I have snapped without them knowing. They are not always so clear, but this one sure was.  I guess I'm a scrapbooker in training. Whenever Mom and DAd are watching a movie and there is a framed picture like this in the house they always ask who took that picture. Pay attention next time you watch a movie there are always cute couple's pictures, many of which are situations you wouldn't usually have someone else photographing, and now we know. They must have had a young (2 year old) photographer in their house.

The first weekend of May we went to Dixon to surprise Grandma for her birthday. Bakka arranged to have us all at the Wine Bar she likes to go to with co-workers. Yes, that's right all us cousins got together at the wine bar. I enjoyed some water and popcorn.

Once us kids got restless at the wine bar we went on a walk to visit Uncle Brian at the fire station. He got called in and since it was only a couple blocks walk we went on a field trip. We sang songs on the way there. Uncle Brian acted like it was no big deal, but I think he secretly loved having us all come visit.

Yep, this picture says it all. Molly holds on for dear life, Carly stands up like a rebel, while wild Emily drives us around. Can you imagine what I am saying, "Be careful Emily"  I'm sure I was trying to take the wheel from her and drive safely. If you aren't familiar with my backseat driving, well it involves me saying, "Be careful" an awful lot.

That same weekend Mom ran in her first half-marathon. She was running it with her friend Abbey and Abbey's uncle Mark. Abbey had bronchitis that week and was unable to finish the race, what a bummer after 12 weeks of training.  Mom finished in 2 hours 16 minutes and 40 seconds. While she ran Dad and I slowly got up at home, got dressed, ate breakfast, drove 45 minutes to the finish line and waited. I even got to cheer and high five other runners before mom finished.Mom said it was a really bad run for her, but at least she finished, and didn't walk.

Here we are waiting for the bus to take us back to our car. Dad and I got mom a 13.1 magnet to go on her car. She was very excited.

The finisher's medal. Someday I think I'm going to run races too. In fact there is a race later this month with mom's running group that I think I'm going to run.

A couple weeks ago the Schahls came and stayed overnight with me. We went with Mom, Aunt Kim and Aunt Jen to the DuPage Children's Museum. It was a fun girls day.

The water play was a big hit, but the Schahl girls insisted on not wearing the smocks that keep you dry. I was dry, but Carly and Molly were soaked!

Aunt Jen taught me how to blow the huge bubbles.

Here we are before we left the musuem.

We then went to lunch at Potbelly and then to a place called Cookie Dough Creations where you can get ice cream or cookie dough, served like ice cream.It was delicious.

The next day we just hung out at home. One of mom's coworkers got a new office chair and they all decided that Mom should get to take the box home for me. It has been a hit ever since. I have colored on it, painted it, and hid inside of it. If you're looking for something fun and inexpensive get a box.

Before the girls left for Dixon we enjoyed a snack. We were going to go across the street to the park, but we each insisted on sitting in a stroller, which made it very difficult to go to the park, because while Aunt Kim packed up the car my Mom couldn't possibly push 3 strollers. Instead we had a snack and chatted. Luckily I had three strollers so we all had one.

we moved the box onto the 3 seasons porch so I could paint while Mom cooked dinner. Mom thought that was a great idea.

Since Abbey was unable to finish the half marathon with mom she quickly signed up for another half marathon 2 weeks later. Mom, me and two of her friends went to cheer Abbey on. We made signs. Here we are with Abbey after the race. Abbey and I love to stretch after races so I helped her yet again. I should really start charging a fee for my services. I have to say the sign I made, got a few people choked up at mile 9. Mom said she would have if she had read that sign. I guess running a race is an emotional thing, I'll find out in a couple of weeks.

Well that is it for now. I hope everyone has a nice long weekend. We are doing some work around the house this weekend, including painting the living room and putting up new curtains. I wonder if mom knows that I plan to "help" her paint. I mean I have been practicing on my box a lot lately.