July 19, 2008

Things-to-Come?


Lots to blog about, but all that action has left me drained. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to comment on the kiddos' expressions here, though:

"Really, Mom? Couldja just put away that camera?"

or, in a few years:

"You're really not cool, Mom. Could you just drop me off 5 blocks away, and I'll be fine."

July 15, 2008

Car Wash Kids

Every once in a while, I do actually get the car washed. Not often enough, surely, but that can be said about a lot of things. Maybe it's because I don't do it enough that the kids are still a little wary of the experience.

(We won't talk about the fact that my 3.5 year old is still terrified of the vaccuum cleaner.)

Quilt Giveaway!


I'd love to win this quilt!! Isn't it beautiful?

Sorta like winning the lottery, my chances are slim, but I'm doing what I can to get my name drawn. :) If you'd like to try too, visit the Old Red Barn Co. blog and leave a comment on her quilt giveaway entry. If you don't need a quilt but think I do, visit and leave a comment and give me the quilt if you win!

It's a fun blog to read all the time, so keep the site bookmarked. She has great, crafty ideas; beautiful photography; and a fun sense of humor. And, she sells sugar scrubs that I'm hoping to try some day too!

Win a quilt at www.oldredbarnco.blogspot.com

Mothers

Mama Friends - you must pick up a copy of this book at the bookstore or library, let the kids enjoy books of their own, and settle in for a delicious read. My friend Theresa recommended it, and I can't love it more.

Someday by Alison McGhee (with absolutely beautiful illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds) is a treasured part of my library now.

Most of the book speaks to mothers of sons or daughters, but some thoughts are especially touching for mothers of daughters.
If you can't wait to get to the library, you can listen to the story as read by the author. Be warned, however. If you're even a little bit of a *sweet* sap, this may induce tears.

July 14, 2008

Good-bye, Plate

Oh goodness! You are now privy to one of the For-Tax-Purposes photos I take of the treasures I take to Goodwill.

In an attempt (ha!) to functionalize, I've been trying to clear out some of the "stuff" in our house. One such piece was this beautiful (ha!) tray depicting a vacation to the Mayan Riviera back in that far-back era known as "Before Kids."
Do you remember those days? I think I have pictures (and trays) to remind me of them. Twice, BK, Scott and I visited a wonderful all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen. At one time we thought (ha!) that we'd make the trip an every-other-year event. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Maybe some day.

For now, I'll just gaze at the digital photo of the tray of our past vacation and be happy that it takes up far less space. And savor the thought that the resort we visited is family friendly, and maybe soon we'll all go back and paint more pottery together.

July 13, 2008

Evergreen Evening






On the Sunday after Scott's Saturday Triple Bypass, we headed 15 mins up the mountain to meet up with friends at the Evergreen Lake picnic site. It was a perfect potluck picnic.
The kids busied themselves flying kites, playing soccer and frisbee, canoeing, and just enjoying the evening. This was the kind of night I always loved as a kid - having the freedom to run and play with friends, staying out a little bit too late, and heading home filled with fresh air and a renewed spirit.

July 12, 2008

Triple By-Pass, Anyone?

Lots - o - Pics: click here!
Scott rode the 2008 Triple By-Pass today!

Yes, that's one hundred and twenty miles! And ten thousand, three hundred ten feet of climbing. On a bike, in one day, without taking a nap or getting a tow, or any of the other things I'd do.

And Scott LOVES it. Every time he does it (yeah, who in his right mind would do it year after year?), he says, "It's a great ride...yada yada yada." The comments that stand out in my mind are things like, "Climbing's not for everyone," and, "Yeah, it's not for those who don't enjoy a little pain."

This year, he went above and beyond, taking on the photojournalist role too. Not just stills, but video as well. Eek. That requires taking one hand off the handle bars, and not tipping over, right? Stay tuned for some beautiful illustrations of the ride. It does look beautiful! If you're going to ride up over three mountain passes and gain that much elevation, better darn well have something pretty to look at (and cute chick bikers don't count!).

Does that not look like a kid in a candy shop?


Triple By-Pass Video Log - Loveland Pass Love

1. 10 AM update past Georgetown, headed toward Loveland Pass

2. Heading up Loveland Pass

3. Loveland Pass 300-400 yards from the top

4. 1989 Loveland Pass passing bikers, working hard above tree line

Triple By-Pass - Middle

5. Cheering noise (not much to see!)


6. Cruising @ 30mph into Keystone (sideways, sorry!)

7. Along the Dam Road

8. Trail between Frisco and Copper Mtn

Triple By-Pass Final Stretches

9. On the trail approaching Copper

10. Vail Pass Rest Area

11. The Finish Line

July 11, 2008

Radical Luncheon

Our "Radical" book clubbers met for a lunch to celebrate the impending arrival of Kristen's #2. It's always a small miracle when we can all be in one place, given our school schedules, our kids' school schedules, parenting responsibilities and summer activities. On this day, it worked out for almost all of us to be there. Hallelujah!

Turns out, we were just in time. Little Emerson was born just 3 days later.

After lunch a few of us were able to spend some time letting the kiddos expend some energy at a park too. It was a hot day, but that didn't slow them down.





July 10, 2008

Improve Your Vocab, Donate Free Rice!

Date Night

It was a hot, hot Thursday, and we had scheduled date night. What fun it was to debate which Italian restaurant we should visit. In the end, Scott made reservations at Maggiano's downtown at the Denver Pavilions. Yummmm...
We had the perfect table, off to the side, where we had privacy and a candle and could people watch and have time to ourselves.
Scott carbed up for his race with pasta, and I ordered a tenderloin dish that was to-die-for. The strawberry mojito was also amazing.
We debated whether or not to go to a movie, but when the timing seemed to lead us upstairs to the theater, we went for it. (What was the last movie we saw?) Now, we can say it was Hancock. It's funny, too, because we thought we were going to see a different movie, but when the action unfolded the way it did, it became apparent we weren't at the show we expected. It was cute.
Afterward, we walked out into the Pavilions, and it was happenin'! A vendors' market was still in full swing, and we caught the last couple songs of the Matthew Moon Band. It was fun to experience the "night life" again, for a bit.

July 04, 2008

Happy Feet


Happy Feet - sitting on Daddy's lap, warming up after some splashing in the pirate ship pool

(And, Happy Hairy Legs - all sweaty and greasy from a hard morning's ride on the 4th of July)
(I hope you all know that's Olivia and Scott!)

Happy 4th!


Many more pictures to come, I'm sure. But here's one, wishing you a fabulous, action-packed, ooh-and-ahh-filled Independence Day!

July 02, 2008

Introducing...

..."MisCHIEF" and "MISSchief!" Guess who's who?




These are two new labels, by which I'll periodically categorize posts. Just wanted to clear up what they mean! BOTH are mischievous.

June 23, 2008

O Likes COTC


Good thing she's got some choppers.

Heh-cut Mommy

As we sat on the deck, shucking corn for tonight:

Mama: Should we cut your hair in a bit, Zach?
Zach: Yeah! You cahn be Heh-cut Mommy!

We'll see if that really happens. Some of these things sound like a good idea until they start buzzing.

June 22, 2008

Hello, Butterfly





With a sprained ankle in an ice bath, you can pass the time using your zoom butterfly watching.

June 20, 2008

Later that Night



Well, my Friday night double-header was cut short in about the third inning of the first game when I slid into third base and felt a good pop in my ankle. I tried to get up, but couldn't put weight on my leg.

Our team officially called it a rough night when, shortly thereafter, another player re-pulled his hamstring. He and I shared company on the bench with our leaky icepacks.

It became apparent that I was not going to be playing the rest of the night, so I called Scott to see if he could come get me. Given that he was watching the kids at home, it took a bit of doing (thanks, Janell!!) to get them situated before he could come down to Littleton to get me. (Side note: Little Zach chose this night to stay up, asking questions about the map in his room and to just generally chat until about 11pm! Again, THANK YOU, Janell.)

So Scott got down to the field, literally (not the best idea) picked me up, and drove us to the closest ER for an x-ray. I was x-rayed and evaluated fairly quickly, told that the ankle wasn't broken, fitted for crutches, and then made to wait for the administrator to "check me in" before we could go. Gotta love the ER.

After a stop at the gas station for some cereal - patient's wish - we got home a little after midnight. Thank you, Janell, for spending your Friday night on our couch.

We were told that the first few days are critical in the recovery process. Elevate and ice, and stay off it. Scott, who's had an injury or two, made himself the not-so-nice-but-very-effective home-care nurse. I was ice-packed and elevated in bed, and made to rest on the couch for the next couple of days. Boy, those ice baths for the foot are not - I repeat, not - comfortable at all.

The swelling did go down some, and the pain did go up, though it was never completely unbearable. At least as long as I didn't put weight on it. The several times I did catch it on something, I didn't quite catch the four-letter-words that escaped. I wish I could remember the "explanation" I gave Zach for one of them...

Wouldn't you know that timing was such that Scott had 4 day work trip, starting the Tuesday after my injury. That was an interesting period. Me hobbling around after two little energizer bunnies, determined not to be completely inadequate. And being SO grateful that both bunnies could walk. I do not know what I would have done otherwise. I did lose a few pounds during that time. It takes quite a bit of energy to keep up with bunnies and to use crutches going up the stairs and bummin-in down the stairs and to get so sore from the crutches that I reverted to hopping around instead. Whew! And, boy, it's hot out when it's summer in CO and you're hopping all over the place. The funniest (sad kind of funny) scene was probably when I was hopping up the hill of the Target parking lot, using the cart as my crutch, my crutches hanging out the front, with Olivia sitting in the cart, and Zach hanging onto the front. Quads burning, sweat dripping fun.

*I'm writing this post 3 months later, and just in the last couple of weeks have I finally been able to walk, and almost run, normally. Finally.*