First Day of Summer

It has been busy around here for the last two or three weeks.  The end of the school year is typically hectic and we had visitors too. 

The last day for students was May 24th.  The last day is always filled with emotions.  In some ways this past year seemed like it would never end and then I still found myself planning for next week.  I was happy to wish my kids good luck next year and at the same time sad to see them go.  But with all that said there is nothing better than summer time.

We started summer right away with Ben and Amanda visiting.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite ready yet.  We had a great day on Friday.  First we started with breakfast at the Silver Grill.  Sam enjoyed wearing Ben's glasses and Emily "ran" down the sidewalk with Aunt Amanda and Nana.

Then after a nap Amanda, Ben, Paul and I headed back up to Fort Collins for some beer tasting.  (Thank you Mom and Dad for the much needed adult only time.)  It had been a while since we had been to New Belgium and they have changed the way they do tasters.  We remember the days when you could have 4 or 5 tasters for free.  Now you have to pay for them. 

Then we headed over to Pateros Creek Brewery where we found a Waffle Food Truck and some tasty beer.  The Waffles were delicious.  I think I'll go back just to eat chicken and waffles.

After that we met up with Papa and Nana and the kids.  The girls went and got their toes done while the boys went to eat cheese fries with the kids.

Sam and Emily enjoyed playing on the sculptures while they were waiting for us to be done.

What a busy day... I'm so glad that I didn't have to work.  :-)

A Visit with the Horse... um I mean Great Dane

My teaching partner got a Great Dane named Denali not too long ago.  We have already met it once and the kids seemed to be oblivious to the fact that he can put his head on Emily's lap while she is in her car seat in our van.  He came from a family that had a little kid and a baby so he's been around kids before.  He is for sure a gentle giant. 

We went over to visit again last Tuesday.  The weather was nice and Mike's backyard is perfect for little people to run around in.  Mike has two other dogs, Maggie and Molly, and Sam and Emily just wandered around the yard with all of them.  We of course had to hide the slime covered water bowl and had to watch the cement stairs but it was a good time.

At one point in time Paul had to pick up Emily and he did so by one arm.  Denali apparently thought that she was the newest toy and went over to "play" with her.  She ended up not very happy and with dog slobber all over her arm.  To cheer her up Mike showed us Denali's favorite toy... the lawn mower.  Denali attacks the lawn mower like most dogs do the vacuum cleaner.  Emily thought this was HILARIOUS.  She followed Mike around, who was pushing the lawn mower, cracking up.  When he decided that there was enough barking he put the lawn mower back where it belonged.  Well, Denali and Emily still wanted to play.  The two of them stood by the lawn mower, Emily trying to move it and Denali waiting patiently, for at least ten minutes.  Too cute.

Balloon Boy

For Sam and Emily's first birthday I sent Paul to the store to pick up last minute food and added balloons to the list.  I didn't think he would really pick any up and if I did I wasn't sure what to expect.  Well he did come home with two balloons... one blue and one orange.  We know a store manager and the Broncos had just lost a playoff game the day before and the balloons were free.  I guess I need to be more specific next time.  So we had these balloons and the kids really hadn't been around any before so we didn't know what to expect.  Sam was terrified.  He wanted nothing to do with the balloons.  Emily on the other hand thought they were great.

Well those balloons lasted for at least 3 weeks.  They were just normal balloons but they must have had something added.  We had them FOREVER!  This turned out to be a good thing because those balloons started to grow on Sam.  He slowly warmed up to them and then it became more than just a tolerance, he loved those balloons.  He liked to hold on to the string, hit them and swing them around.  Well finally they popped I let the air out of them.

Well last week our babysitter, Meg, brought over a balloon that she gave her dad for his birthday but he let the kids keep.  Our baby boy is back in balloon love.  He walks ALL over the house holding on to that balloon.  So next time he needs a present I know just what to get him.  That boy loves balloons.

This morning... notice the balloon is quite deflated.  Sam will be feeling the same way soon when we have to get rid of his new favorite toy.



Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a lot like a birthday.  I want to do something fun and different but I don't have any ideas.  I struggle with coming up with the "perfect day", mostly because it would need to be more than 24 hours long.  So here is a list of things I'd like to do to celebrate Mother's Day and what I don't want to do.
I want to:

1. Go to breakfast.  This is one of those things that we rarely, if ever do.  I didn't use to be a breakfast out person but once I go pregnant with Sam and Emily I craved breakfast food.  So, a little breakfast food is a great way to be reminded of those cravings of French toast, eggs, pancakes...  Sam's Club was also out of my coffee syrup so we'll need to get coffee somewhere in the morning.
2. Take a nap.  I'd love to sleep in but it would interfere with going to breakfast.  Luckily during the weekend I can usually get at least one nap a day in.  The last couple of days have been dreary and perfect napping weather.  We will see what tomorrow brings.
3. Snuggle with my babies.  This morning Emily woke up crying at about 6:15.  She normally isn't the first one up and doesn't usually cry when she gets up.  I was able to snuggle with her in our bed and she went back to sleep.  We used to do this a lot when the kids were still little.  We don't get many morning snuggles anymore.  They would much rather be playing than sleeping in bed.  I miss my snuggle time and would love more tomorrow.
4. Do something new with the kids.  I have no idea what this would be or if we'll do anything but I love it when we get to introduce them to something new.  A couple of weeks ago it was feeding the ducks.  They didn't really feed the ducks because Sam ate every piece of bread we gave him to feed to the ducks, but the idea was there.  Then the geese showed up.  I was saying, "Honk, Honk" like the geese and Sam grabbed his nose.  Silly boy... he made the connection to what we've been saying when he grabs our noses.
5. Spend time with my mom. 

I don't want to:

1. Do laundry.
2. Worry about work. (I will have to because I'm probably taking Monday off and I will need to make sub plans.)
3. Clean.  I don't want to pick up or clean cups.  These are two of my least favorite "mom" duties.  I put mom in quotes because Daddy usually cleans all the sippy cups.  I trained him early.
4. Change poopy diapers because it is just not my favorite. 

Mother's Day 2011