Hiking the Mountains

One thing I love to do when we go to Colorado is hiking. Although we have hiked the Continental Divide before, this was the first time we didn’t just climb to the top and go back but instead went along it and then back. Wesley’s little legs got tired but it was wonderful to be a part of the quiet on God’s creation. I’ve always thought as I was walking and enjoying the mountains that how could anybody look at this and not believe in God?! Here’s a pic of Taylor, Jocelyn and Wesley at a rest point across the Continental Divide.

Happy 4th!

Okay, so it’s not the 4th of July anymore.  In fact, it’s nearly AUGUST 4th!  Here’s a pic of our 4th celebrations.  The rest of the fireworks got rained out but my die-hard kiddos got out the umbrellas!

Swimming at the Y

This afternoon we wanted to do something different so we headed to the Y.  Nothing different there, you might say.  True, but we went to a DIFFERENT Y!  Ken and I worked out on the treadmills while Wesley was in Kid Zone and Taylor and Jocelyn were in the Family Room.  Then we went outside to the Koch Aquatic Center.  This was actually the first time we had been since we’ve become members and the children loved it.  From the wave pool to the slides to the fountains, there was something for everyone!  Only the lure of a snow cone got the kids out in a timely manner! 

We’re back!

Ahhh. . . you don’t realize how much you miss home until you get back from holiday. Then your bed feels so welcome and just the familiar smell of home helps you relax. And was I ready for that!

We arrived in Keystone, Colorado late afternoon Friday, July 20th. On Saturday we hiked the Continental Divide and then went swimming. Sunday we hiked to the Boston Mine Camp with a picnic lunch. On Monday we rented bikes for Taylor, Jocelyn and Wesley and Mom and I walked while they rode to River Run. There’s a BMX dirt bike park by Keystone lake that Taylor was itching to try which was one of the reasons we rented the bikes in the first place. Mom borrowed Taylor’s bike and went over the bumps and then decided she would give the see-saw ramp a try. If the chain hadn’t have come off while she was on the ramp, she would have made it successfully. However, it did, and she fell off, landing on her left knee and breaking it. We spent the afternoon in the ER and Mom ended up going for surgery that night. She is now the proud owner of a metal plate and 9 screws to keep her knee together. As of this writing, Mom was in the process of being discharged and was getting help getting into the van. All going well, they’ll be traveling home tomorrow!

Off to Colorado!

The children and I are heading to Keystone, Colorado tomorrow with my mom for one last trip before school starts.  I’m lucky that the children enjoy hiking in the mountains!  We’ll  be out for hours enjoying the fresh mountain air either hiking, riding the paddle boats, swimming, or shopping at the outlet mall.  I’m taking 2 books with me and my knitting for the long, long car ride (about 9-10 hours depending on stops) and I bought the movie Night at the Museum to help keep the kiddos entertained.
Ken will be getting back late Friday night so he’ll have the whole house to himself for a few days, well except for Buddy and Baxter.   Peace and quiet after a busy week in training.  He’ll love it!

Yes, I’m a Nerd

I love back-to-school time.  In fact, I always have.  When the Sunday paper arrives in July with flyers touting the best prices on packs of paper, fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and new crayons and markers, I’m in heaven.  Any office supply store is my candy store.  I could spend hours perusing the types and brands of pens and pencils and which paper would be best.  Ahhhhh. . . and Walmart has such a good ad this week –  5 for $1 packs of Crayola crayons, $.87 Crayola markers, $.10 each spiral notebooks.

Conversation in Kitchen

Obviously the VBS lessons are paying off this week for my lil Wesley.  We had no sooner gotten home when he was supposed to be washing up for lunch (spaghettios from earlier said shopping trip).  Since he was not doing as he was told, I reminded him that he said it was a sin not to do as he was told.

He replies, “You have to forgive me, Mom!  God forgives me so you have to too!”

Good point.

Conversation in the Car

After dropping off Taylor’s friend after VBS/X this afternoon and picking up a few groceries at Dillons, I announced to the kids that I have a headache and would appreciate some quiet in the 3 minutes it would take to drive home. The words had barely left my mouth when Taylor starts singing and tapping.

Me to Taylor: “Did you not hear what I just said? Your actions state that you either chose not to hear what I said or simply don’t care.”

Wesley: “That’s a sin, Taylor. Did you know that? Not doing as you’re told is a sin.”

Taylor looked guilty and was quiet (almost) all of the way home.

I Passed!

Got my KPA results in the mail today and, whew, I passed!  (Although Ken told me before, “You know you passed already so what are you worried about?”)  I didn’t get as high a score as I would have liked but hey, what does it matter!?  Now I get to apply for my professional license, showing that I can, indeed, adhere to the state’s standards.  And there’s a fee for that, too, of course.

Jocelyn’s “Bonding”

The scene:  I am sitting on the couch making a pillow out of an old t-shirt for my classroom.  Jocelyn goes to get her sewing and sits down beside me.

“I am so glad we can have this bonding,” she says.  Of course Wesley comes upstairs, causing a commotion, and she screams at him, “Mom and me are bonding!  Leave us alone!”  He didn’t.