Adventure with Auntie Jane

How often do you go on a playdate and have to bring your own gun? That was the order from Auntie Jane... she told me she would provide 3 swords and 2 play rifles, but could we possible bring a rifle to - in case we wanted to go on a bear hunt.

God knew that with our grandparents far away, that I would need an Auntie Jane close by. Auntie Jane and I share a love for Germany, Europe and third-culture kids (she and Sam were missionaries in Germany the same time I worked there for Young Life). My kids think of her as a cowgirl Mary Poppins - the great aunt with the Magic Cabin and lots a creative ideas.

Last week she took us to Garden of the Gods where we picnicked, searched for Indians and hiked. After the little ones were entertained, she made me tea and we talked.

An adventurous afternoon that left my heart filled with her wonderful Texas hospitality.

Hanging out with Fletch

An extra long summer has meant extra time spent with kids. Since Piper started pre-school, the boys and I have enjoy our "boy time" each Tuesday and Thursday. We have become regulars at the skate board park - and if you go around 10am - you will be amazed! Instead of the usual "scary teenage" crowd, the parking lot is filled withe minivans. And "Watch this Mom" is a common saying.

This morning Chris had taken Piper and Griffin to early church and Fletcher and I were going to meet them for a later service. Fletch looked at me and said, "What I really wish we could do is go on a bike ride - just you and me." So I proposed that we ride our bikes to church. He thought this was quite the adventure! On our way up the big hill he looked at me and said, "This is the best day of my life. Thanks, mom."

We arrived at church a little hot and not the best dressed - but very thankful for our wonderful morning.

The Cross

This was my birthday present from my kids (along with a High School Musical Keychain, a princess pad of paper and some mouse traps - seriously). Anyway - guess which present was my favorite?

It is a big cross - nothing that a Texas girl would be afraid of, but women from many other states might shy away from it.

But that is probably exactly what I need - a big old cross out there to remind me that it is all about Jesus. And that He should increase in my life and I should decrease.

Thanks kids!

Tea Time

When things get rough - what is a girl to do? Have a tea party. When my friend, Keri, was suddenly rushed to the hospital, her kids came over here. Piper, never one to miss a chance to be the hostess, realized that Chace (in his vulnerable state) would not be able to escape. She lured him over to the table and served up a tea party that would make the queen proud. One lump or two?

Date with Griffin

Griffin and I have a special bond. We call it the middle kid bond. He loves the fact that we are both middle kids. And he reminds me so much of Chris, that I just love hanging out with him! Sweet, sweet boy (most of the time). Also - competitive, sports crazed boy.

Last year he went to a hockey birthday party for a boy where most of the kids invited were on a hockey team. Griffin has loved hockey ever since. For Christmas he received roller blades, a puck and hockey stick and he starts Tiny Pucks roller hockey in a month.

Griffin use to go to all day kindergarten 2 days a week (the same days Piper is in preschool). A couple of months ago I decided to change that to once a week so that Grif and I could have one afternoon alone - perfect for us to hang out or for him to have playdates without any brothers or sisters to interfere.

Thursday afternoon was picture perfect - blue skies, warm and ripe for hockey. I dug my roller blades out of the basement. They had been packed away for 9 years. The last time I used them I tumbled down a hill and bonked my head on the concrete. I am not a natural. But - anything for your kids, huh?

You know how sometimes you don't play really hard so your kid can beat you? Not this time. I did not score once. Griffin scored, well - lets just say he won easily.

Fall and Friends

Quick, take a picture before anyone moves!

Piper and Sammy

Brothers

Ah, the joy of year round school. The boys seem to be off all the time! The advantage to this is that we get to celebrate each season. Here we went with our neighbors to the Littleton Historical Museum. It is a working historical farm. The kid's favorite thing by far was the Hay Maze and old wagon. My favorite thing was the old school house, where I brought along "homework" for them - the kids had fun spelling names of farm animal and coloring - but I realized that real pioneer teachers must have been made of tough stuff - a one room school house could get clausterphobic quickly! Beautiful day, fun friends and a wonderful way to enjoy fall!

With a State Park only 20 minutes from our house, I have to wonder why we don't use it more. And when we go to visit we are amazed at how beautiful it is right by our house. What do the kids need to be entertained? Not much - a few big rocks, a walking stick and throw in some water as a bonus. Piper and Fletcher immediately took off their shirts (and we had to explain why taking off their pants might be inappropriate) - while Griffin, the conservative one, kept it all on.

Bloom where you are planted!

There is no doubt that I experience what one might call, "school envy". In Douglas County school district - we have options. Most people say you can not go wrong with any school in Douglas County. However, when I hear about a school with a creative or innovative program, I get jealous. When I hear one of "the others" had the 3rd highest test scores in the state - I get jealous. When "the others" have a fun event that the parents are excited about - I get jealous.

But we have chosen the neighborhood school for our kids. I enjoy the 6 minute walk each morning (all down hill). It almost feels like a parade with all the neighborhood kids joining in. We wait for friends and my kids ride their scooters down the hill at lightening speeds. It is... fun.

I have been thrilled with the teachers that we have. They have all been long term teachers that are kind and caring and interested in my kids (and so far all have been Christians).

But there is no doubt, I think about those other schools. Would they be better? Would my kids become brilliant scholars because they knew all the major oceans in the world by 1st grade? Are we not tapping into their potential because they are not being challenged by a new computer literacy program? And how come they don't get to go on two camp outs a year to work on leadership and problem solving skills? Not to mention why do we have our events in the gym when other schools rent out the Renaissance Festival.

But we have decided to bloom where we are planted. I support the idea of school choice - but the result is that with so many attractive options, a lot of the passion, community feel and excitement over the neighborhood school has faded. It has become Vanilla in a sea of Cold Stone Creameries.

So last year I observed - and was pea green with envy about other schools. This year, I have decided to invest. And in partnership with a couple of very talented women - we hope to work with our school to make it a better. That is what a neighborhood school should be all about.

Palin Frenzy

Chris took the kids to the McCain headquarters in Denver on Saturday and they made signs. They were also interviewed by Channel 2 News. Gives a whole new meaning to Young Republicans.

See the Saturday Night Live skit with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx/?news=330748. So funny!

Talk about being a flip-flopper! I started out the year very interested in Obama. After the Saddleback forum I was enamored by McCain. Then I was upset about the Palin nomination and thought it was a bad move... but now I am on board! oh my gosh - what an unlikely VP, but I can't help it - I like her!

Endless Summer

We are usually out of town for Lador Day weekends - but this year we vacationed at home.

1. First on Agenda... camping out in the backyard. Fletcher helped Chris put up the tent. After we took the tent down - we realized the stake went right through the sprinkler.
2. Next on the agenda - fix the sprinkler that was broken on previous agenda item.
3. Go to park and Launch rocket
4. Spend hours looking for the rocket to no avail.
5. Console crying children who are sad about losing the rocket
6. Eat ice cream by our favorite fountain (part of the rocket grieving process)
7. Get a babysitter and have grown up night's out
8. Ride bikes
9. Plan a backyard beach party
10. Play with friends

A Little Piper Cub

Being the only girl saves Piper from falling into the neglected 3rd child category. And since this was the first week that we have been sans brothers (who are busy learning to count by 2's in school), I announced it was GIRL WEEK!! I am still learning how to be a "Girl Mom". We started by getting her nails done, went to dance class, made a few trips to the park and ended the week by sending her off to preschool. A girly time was had by all.

First day of school...

Fletcher joined his buddies (Hayden and Logan) for first grade!


And Griffin was ready for Kindergarten!


And Piper was ready for the pool (OK, this picture has nothing to do with school - but it is so cute, I had to throw it in!).

Germany Reunion

"The road to a friend's house is never long." Danish Proverb
Well, in the case of these friends - the road is very long - in fact the best way may be by plane. But what a gift it was to be able to reunite with 3 dear friends from Germany twice in the past week.


First I met Sherry and Cindy at a park in Denver. We had 7 kids between us. Amazing since the last time I saw Sherry she was very single and sitting in the kitchen of Dave and Kristi Martin in Heidelberg. It was so fun to catch up with these amazing women and hear how their lives are going.



And then Chris and I met our dear friends Krista and Seth for dinner. Krista was my intern and roommate in Germany. They now live in Washington - and we wish they lived right next door. The food and wine is always rich, and the conversation is even richer. Our claim to fame is that we went on their first "real" date (cinco de mayo). We MISS them and I am so thankful that they worked in dinner with us during their busy week.

A week full of bonding

This was the last week before school starts. Fletcher will be in first grade and Griffin will be starting Kindergarten. We have had a fun and full summer - and it will seem strange to get up early tomorrow morning to walk to school. I have enjoyed having a less structured schedule.

A few weeks ago someone suggested soccer camp. Wow, having the boys occupied from 9 - 2 for a whole week... very tempting. And I had no doubt they would have fun. and sure, the end of July is the hottest time of year - but I would just pack them lots of fluids. So I went to the web site to sign up. I even filled out the registration. as just as I went to pay - their little faces flashed before me.

This would be my last week to spend time with them. I would miss them when school started. How could I possibly want to spend even a moment without them when soon I would be packing them off with their Star Wars and Transformer backpacks and waving good-bye. I canceled the registration. We would spend the week "bonding".





The week started off well. We went to Jungle Quest (a huge warehouse packed with zip lines, rock climbing walls and a giant tree house)with our neighbors, Jackson and Sammy and Michelle. We went to see Horton Hears a Who (love those free movies!). We played dress up. We went to the pool. We went to T-ball games. We went to the library. We went to the park. We rode bikes. We had tea parties. All fun, but exhausting.


I must say by Thursday - I was dreaming of soccer camp and a little time alone. I wondered if I could just drop them off at soccer camp and maybe no one would notice a few extra kids. I was tired and had to up my frappucino dosage. Would I be able to finish the week?

Today, with a little assistance from Mr. Wonderful, (that would be my husband - who got that name by stepping in at my moments of desperation and being, well, wonderful) we finished strong. We ended the week with a trip today to Pirate's Cove - a big water park where the kids built sandcastles, drifted on the lazy river (my favorite part!) and shot strangers with giant water guns. Of course since it was 98 degrees - everyone else in Denver decided to go to Pirate's Cove, too - CROWDED!!! Oh well, the more the merrier.


And tomorrow - we have school.

Holding tight onto Jesus

Somewhere along the line, Chris and I messed up.
I remember when Fletcher was born, we were on a strict schedule. Fletch slept in his own bed from day one. He slept through the night at about 6 weeks. Our bedtime routine was simple - book, kiss, good-night - I was out the door. He was asleep by 7!!!

Then over the years - well things changed. We were so tired for a few years that we would do anything to get kids to sleep. Lay down with you? Sure. Want to sleep in my bed? OK, just be quiet. We even wondered why we had been so strict, when there is something so sweet about laying down with a little one as they are trying to go to sleep. And those times when you snuggle together and then they whisper a secret to you - they are priceless.

But let me tell you what else is priceless - getting some alone or adult time after the kids go to bed. And with the sun staying up later and so many fun things to do during summer - bed time keeps getting pushed back further and further. And alone time (especially if Chris is out of town and I am doing it by myself) has diminished. So tonight I decided that Ms. Piper (the main culprit) was 3 and ready to grow up.

I explained it all to her - Mommy was not going to lay down with her tonight. I praised her for being a big girl. I promised her candy in the morning. I hugged her and tucked her in. I prayed with her.
She cried - and got out of her room. I put her back.
She got out. I put her back.
She got out. I put her back.
I felt like I was on "Super Nanny".

Finally she said, "Mommy, will you pray with me again." Of course, little one.

Her crying stopped abruptly - she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I am not going to be scared anymore - because Jesus is going to lay down with me."

And then she went to sleep.

Good night little Piper!

Winter Park Vacation

Winter Park was a great family get away!! We are so thankful to live in Colorado and have access to such amazing mountains - just a couple of hours away. The kids had no idea what to expect - the base of Winter Park had been turned into a Summer Adventure Camp - and there was something for everyone.

Fletcher scaled the climbing wall (or at least part of it), Piper loved miniture golf, and Griffin and I did the bungee trampoline. I amazed Griffin with my ability to do backflips - but around the 6th one I thought - wow, I don't remember back flips hurting my back so much!

Fun, fun, fun - Fletch said this was the best day of his life, and I think we all agreed it was a good one.