Welcome to our family blog! I am a wife to a handsome goof ball, mom to two adorable little sweethearts and I try to live my life to the fullest everyday! My greatest passion is my family and creating memories with them. I love God and all of his many blessings! Enjoy.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
My Grandad Dee
As a family, we are preparing as best we can to say goodbye to my beloved Grandad. He's my granddad, my kids GREAT-Grandfather, and my heart is broken. I was blessed enough to have a LIFETIME of memories with him and I am trying my best to focus on the beauty of that, but right now my heart hurts.
My kids are old enough to actually remember him and have memories of their own. THAT one of the most beautiful things. Death brings out some strong reactions and reflections. This morning in the shower, I cried a real hard cry. The reality of our reality comes in waves. I feel like Sally Fieldsin Steel Magnolias...my brain knows this is needed and its time and he would want this, I just wish someone could explain it to my heart.
To me, my granddad will always be horseshoes, multiplication facts and fishing on "the point" at Sylvan Lake. If I close my eyes and try, I can still here him sneeze (it was a humdinger). One of my favorite things to think about is the fact that to each of my cousins, or his daughters...he is something different.
I will continue to visit him until his last day. I want to soak up every second, any expression, every moment I can. I want to look at his hands one more time. I want to hug him one more time. I want to tell him I love him. He can't say it back but he can hear it and I know it matters. The painful truth is, we are saying Goodbye again. This time, it will be final. We said a partial goodbye slowly over the past couple of years as dementia all but took over. He's been here physically, but mentally he was different.
He was strong and stubborn and whitty as all hell. Yet, he is still tender and loveable and funny and kind.
He was first in line at ALL holidays and would steal your rolls ANY chance he could. He would often tell you goodbye and say "glad you got to see me". If you asked him how he slept, he would reply with a stone cold expression and say "lying down."
When he counted, he said thee for three. His hands were short and stubby and his arms were strong. He had a drawer of night shirts we could pick from when we slept over and I don't have a great memory, but I'm pretty sure he had a Bob Marley one that I wore.
He LOVED my grandma. They just celebrated 70 years of marriage. Think about that. Seventy years. Even through dementia and old age, when so many things were changing...she was the one constant that could make him smile. He would ask for her and tell her he loved her. Their love is its own legacy.
He was the one who would come get me from school when I was sick. In high school, he would pick me up in his blue Subaru Brat and I remember thinking, "don't be emabrassed...be grateful. Oh man, I WISH he had a different car", I'm not sure I can honestly tell you I wasn't embarrassed but I can honestly say, sick days with grandma and granddad were AMAZING! Price is Right AND Days of Our Lives?!?! Who needs school!
He won WORLD in horseshoes and was honored to have a "Dee Powell Open" championship during his "career". His percentage of ringers was amazing and I cherish the memory of my family going with him for his tournaments and playing horseshoes with him in the backyard at family get-togethers, even IF nobody else could EVER win.
He also shared a love for real estate and would often ask me about home prices, deals I had going and would tell me about his success selling his own properties through the years. He was one hell of a salesman too! Cars and garage sales were like a game to him and he would retell his prideful stories, time and time again.
My mom has told me, my granddad and my grandma would walk me around for HOURS in their old farmhouse when I was a baby learning to walk and make duck noises as I went.
He was a soldier, farmer and a truck driver. He lost his son too early and he felt depths of despair that I can only imagine. He lived a long and full life. He traveled, he felt great love and great loss, he was surrounded by family and children brought him great joy. Each one of his granddaughters say they're his favorite and we are all probably right. He shakes every mans hand.
Yesterday afternoon, we took the kids to say goodbye before things progress. It was equal parts gut wrenching and beautiful. He only mumbled a few words while we were there but "there's Blake" made my heart smile. Piper showed him she knows how to snap now and he tried to join along. When we talked about what a great inspiration he was, he pretended to cheer. His smile is weaker, but he smiled. I told him I loved him and he looked me square in the eye. We held hands, I rubbed his shoulders and his great grandkids played in his chair. It was beautiful.
I am not ready for what is to come in the next few days. I am not strong enough, not ready, I'm scared and I'm sad. I would like another 91 years with him, is that too much to ask?
But, I will be brave. I will be sad and that's ok because we loved a real love and my grandma reminded us today, its ok to cry.
He will live on in me, in my heart and in my kids. I am grateful for all that we got to share and how close we were.
Grandad, I will love and miss you always. Thanks for being you and loving your family with your whole heart.
My kids are old enough to actually remember him and have memories of their own. THAT one of the most beautiful things. Death brings out some strong reactions and reflections. This morning in the shower, I cried a real hard cry. The reality of our reality comes in waves. I feel like Sally Fieldsin Steel Magnolias...my brain knows this is needed and its time and he would want this, I just wish someone could explain it to my heart.
To me, my granddad will always be horseshoes, multiplication facts and fishing on "the point" at Sylvan Lake. If I close my eyes and try, I can still here him sneeze (it was a humdinger). One of my favorite things to think about is the fact that to each of my cousins, or his daughters...he is something different.
I will continue to visit him until his last day. I want to soak up every second, any expression, every moment I can. I want to look at his hands one more time. I want to hug him one more time. I want to tell him I love him. He can't say it back but he can hear it and I know it matters. The painful truth is, we are saying Goodbye again. This time, it will be final. We said a partial goodbye slowly over the past couple of years as dementia all but took over. He's been here physically, but mentally he was different.
He was strong and stubborn and whitty as all hell. Yet, he is still tender and loveable and funny and kind.
He was first in line at ALL holidays and would steal your rolls ANY chance he could. He would often tell you goodbye and say "glad you got to see me". If you asked him how he slept, he would reply with a stone cold expression and say "lying down."
When he counted, he said thee for three. His hands were short and stubby and his arms were strong. He had a drawer of night shirts we could pick from when we slept over and I don't have a great memory, but I'm pretty sure he had a Bob Marley one that I wore.
He LOVED my grandma. They just celebrated 70 years of marriage. Think about that. Seventy years. Even through dementia and old age, when so many things were changing...she was the one constant that could make him smile. He would ask for her and tell her he loved her. Their love is its own legacy.
He was the one who would come get me from school when I was sick. In high school, he would pick me up in his blue Subaru Brat and I remember thinking, "don't be emabrassed...be grateful. Oh man, I WISH he had a different car", I'm not sure I can honestly tell you I wasn't embarrassed but I can honestly say, sick days with grandma and granddad were AMAZING! Price is Right AND Days of Our Lives?!?! Who needs school!
He won WORLD in horseshoes and was honored to have a "Dee Powell Open" championship during his "career". His percentage of ringers was amazing and I cherish the memory of my family going with him for his tournaments and playing horseshoes with him in the backyard at family get-togethers, even IF nobody else could EVER win.
He also shared a love for real estate and would often ask me about home prices, deals I had going and would tell me about his success selling his own properties through the years. He was one hell of a salesman too! Cars and garage sales were like a game to him and he would retell his prideful stories, time and time again.
My mom has told me, my granddad and my grandma would walk me around for HOURS in their old farmhouse when I was a baby learning to walk and make duck noises as I went.
He was a soldier, farmer and a truck driver. He lost his son too early and he felt depths of despair that I can only imagine. He lived a long and full life. He traveled, he felt great love and great loss, he was surrounded by family and children brought him great joy. Each one of his granddaughters say they're his favorite and we are all probably right. He shakes every mans hand.
Yesterday afternoon, we took the kids to say goodbye before things progress. It was equal parts gut wrenching and beautiful. He only mumbled a few words while we were there but "there's Blake" made my heart smile. Piper showed him she knows how to snap now and he tried to join along. When we talked about what a great inspiration he was, he pretended to cheer. His smile is weaker, but he smiled. I told him I loved him and he looked me square in the eye. We held hands, I rubbed his shoulders and his great grandkids played in his chair. It was beautiful.
I am not ready for what is to come in the next few days. I am not strong enough, not ready, I'm scared and I'm sad. I would like another 91 years with him, is that too much to ask?
But, I will be brave. I will be sad and that's ok because we loved a real love and my grandma reminded us today, its ok to cry.
He will live on in me, in my heart and in my kids. I am grateful for all that we got to share and how close we were.
Grandad, I will love and miss you always. Thanks for being you and loving your family with your whole heart.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Mama Gloria
If you haven't read Von Miller's story that has been going around since yesterday, that is a MUST READ before we go any further! Take a second so we can all get on the same page, shall we? Click HERE.
Welcome back.
A few weeks ago, I was listening to sports radio in my car (nothing new during Broncos season, just ask my poor children) and a reporter was talking about Von Miller and is impact on the team both on AND OFF the field, and he said "He's the cool kid in school that is nice to everybody." Listen, I don't ACTUALLY know Von (such a bummer) but from what I have seen, it would appear the reporter is onto something. His style is rockin', his skill is crazy town, and yet he is humble, thankful, and always learning and growing. Has he struggled? Of course! (show me someone who hasn't). Is he perfect? Nope! (show me someone who is!).
I loved several aspects of what Von shared. I love that he is a Nerd. Love it. To be fair, he was a Nerd before it was cool to be a Nerd and I think we can ALL agree, that's something pretty huge. I love the story of him and his close friends who are now all in the NFL. Who in the world gets to say that?! The photo of Snoopy was HILARIOUS. I already had a mental image of what he looked like with his glasses strapped around his helmet, but that visual certainly HIT.IT.HOME! I also think we can ALL agree that Roosters are dope.
All that aside, Mama Gloria is where its at.
Can we just focus on her for a minute? I know NOTHING about her story, her struggles, her marriage, her life as a mother or otherwise. The ONLY thing I know is what Von shared in this brief story and yet she has been on my heart all.day.long.
This isn't just beautiful because Von is crazy talented and focused and he made it far in the NFL, that is simply a cool byproduct. No friends, THIS is beautiful because it is unconditional love. It is how I desperately strive to raise my children and I hope you will strive to raise yours! Let me explain...
Why do you think Mr. Miller shut Von down? Fear. It is crazy scary as a parent to watch your children go out into this world and risk failure. When they do, we often put some of it on ourselves. (The same is true for the opposite...good grades, we brag. Its natural). If you know me, hopefully you understand that I am NOT judging any parent at all, ever. We are ALL just doing this thing the best we know how!
Beauty is in the fact that, Mama Gloria allowed her son to be vulnerable regardless of the outcome. She fed his determination. She saw obstacles and instead of protecting her baby chick (no pun intended), she said," OK, go do your thing." Do you see the BEAUTY?
This strikes a passion in me that few other things do and I hope you will stick around and allow me to make my point (we all know it takes me a while to do that sometimes - sorry).
Let's look at it from a different perspective. Let's pretend for a moment, he stunk on the field. Wait, bad reference (and if you're a Von fan you will know why...). Seriously though, what would have happened if Von wasn't Von Miller? What if the thick lens wearing fifth grader Von wen't out and stunk.it.up. Worst on the team. What IF it wasn't his "thing?". Are you ready to see beauty? What I love the most is that even IF that had happened, a little boy would have known his mother was there supporting him. THAT kind of unconditional love does things to people. It does things to children.
Our children are sent into this world young to start dealing with life. It starts easy with little things such as sharing, rec sports, contests, competitions, academics, and the list goes on and on. As they get older, they have to learn how to navigate relationships and life.
Participation medals are meh. We aren't all good at everything. The truth is, the medal for a completed season and a medal for first place are both a medal saying job well done, albeit in a different way. Some will do it better than others and others will do different things better. As a parent, what we should care MORE about is who is saying "job well done" and if the job was awful, we should acknowledge that it isn't a good feeling and then we should be the one asking "what do you want to try next?" and encouraging another try at SOMETHING different.
The sad fact is, the world will tear them down. Every person on this Earth has gifts and some more than others (darn you perfect people). What is also true is that EVERY.PERSON on this Earth is also not great at things.
The biggest truth in all is that, IT.DOESN'T.MATTER.
As a parent, I have always believed that it is my job to offer experiences to my child so that they can determine what they enjoy and through that, learn the truth of their gifts and downfalls.
It isn't about the end result, its about the process of trying, learning, failing AND succeeding.
My son has played sports since he was 2 (right after he got his first pair of thick glasses and later bifocals). Street hockey was a disaster (in fairness, he couldn't even count so maybe we were jumping the gun..."take 5 shots" - blink, blink.) He is a fish and has been in swim lessons forever, basketball, baseball, karate, flag football, soccer, you name it. He HATED some, he was GOOD at some and he has SUCKED at others. We are still trying to find his favorite and often it changes with the seasons. He's not the best baseball player on the team and likely he won't ever be, but he loves it. When our team moved up to machine pitch and he was growing frustrated with a lack of hits, we asked him if he wanted to try something different in the off season. Much to our dismay, he said "NO!". He wasn't having fun at the time with baseball, but he wasn't ready to stop. He wanted to keep trying and I am SO glad we agreed to let him! Looking back, that may be one of the best things we have done as parents yet. I remember Brian and I sitting on the bleachers for the first game of machine pitch and my palms were sweaty because I was afraid he was going to suck and he was going to feel failure and so would we. In a way, he did and he still leaves some games frustrated or feeling bad about his performance but it isn't my job to say "no, you aren't good...let's do something else." He's grown in baseball and gotten better but that is no longer our focus. If a time comes when he decides he is done, we are all for that too. NONE of that matters. I don't care if he plays for 1 season or 7. If he makes it to the big leagues one day, great. Hopefully he will treat me to dinner like Von did for Mama Gloria! What DOES matter is that I offer what Mama Gloria offered; support, love, opportunity.
The world will show him what he is good at and what he isn't. Heck, it already is at age 7. But I will BE.DAMNED if any of those discouraging words ever come from me!
Von also talked about the teams' saying from this season,
"Iron sharpens Iron"
(no surprise Ware had some impact on this. He is another one that could inspire a blog post or two...these two together?! UNREAL.)
Anyway, Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Welcome back.
A few weeks ago, I was listening to sports radio in my car (nothing new during Broncos season, just ask my poor children) and a reporter was talking about Von Miller and is impact on the team both on AND OFF the field, and he said "He's the cool kid in school that is nice to everybody." Listen, I don't ACTUALLY know Von (such a bummer) but from what I have seen, it would appear the reporter is onto something. His style is rockin', his skill is crazy town, and yet he is humble, thankful, and always learning and growing. Has he struggled? Of course! (show me someone who hasn't). Is he perfect? Nope! (show me someone who is!).
I loved several aspects of what Von shared. I love that he is a Nerd. Love it. To be fair, he was a Nerd before it was cool to be a Nerd and I think we can ALL agree, that's something pretty huge. I love the story of him and his close friends who are now all in the NFL. Who in the world gets to say that?! The photo of Snoopy was HILARIOUS. I already had a mental image of what he looked like with his glasses strapped around his helmet, but that visual certainly HIT.IT.HOME! I also think we can ALL agree that Roosters are dope.
All that aside, Mama Gloria is where its at.
Can we just focus on her for a minute? I know NOTHING about her story, her struggles, her marriage, her life as a mother or otherwise. The ONLY thing I know is what Von shared in this brief story and yet she has been on my heart all.day.long.
So I started working on my mom. I started wearing her down. You know how it’s done:
“Mom. Mom. Mom, come on. I’ll make my bed every day. I’ll mow the lawn. Mom, just let me play football. I’m ready!”
Thank God for my mom. She finally broke down one day.
You guys, what a beautiful thing!This isn't just beautiful because Von is crazy talented and focused and he made it far in the NFL, that is simply a cool byproduct. No friends, THIS is beautiful because it is unconditional love. It is how I desperately strive to raise my children and I hope you will strive to raise yours! Let me explain...
Why do you think Mr. Miller shut Von down? Fear. It is crazy scary as a parent to watch your children go out into this world and risk failure. When they do, we often put some of it on ourselves. (The same is true for the opposite...good grades, we brag. Its natural). If you know me, hopefully you understand that I am NOT judging any parent at all, ever. We are ALL just doing this thing the best we know how!
Beauty is in the fact that, Mama Gloria allowed her son to be vulnerable regardless of the outcome. She fed his determination. She saw obstacles and instead of protecting her baby chick (no pun intended), she said," OK, go do your thing." Do you see the BEAUTY?
This strikes a passion in me that few other things do and I hope you will stick around and allow me to make my point (we all know it takes me a while to do that sometimes - sorry).
Let's look at it from a different perspective. Let's pretend for a moment, he stunk on the field. Wait, bad reference (and if you're a Von fan you will know why...). Seriously though, what would have happened if Von wasn't Von Miller? What if the thick lens wearing fifth grader Von wen't out and stunk.it.up. Worst on the team. What IF it wasn't his "thing?". Are you ready to see beauty? What I love the most is that even IF that had happened, a little boy would have known his mother was there supporting him. THAT kind of unconditional love does things to people. It does things to children.
Our children are sent into this world young to start dealing with life. It starts easy with little things such as sharing, rec sports, contests, competitions, academics, and the list goes on and on. As they get older, they have to learn how to navigate relationships and life.
Participation medals are meh. We aren't all good at everything. The truth is, the medal for a completed season and a medal for first place are both a medal saying job well done, albeit in a different way. Some will do it better than others and others will do different things better. As a parent, what we should care MORE about is who is saying "job well done" and if the job was awful, we should acknowledge that it isn't a good feeling and then we should be the one asking "what do you want to try next?" and encouraging another try at SOMETHING different.
The sad fact is, the world will tear them down. Every person on this Earth has gifts and some more than others (darn you perfect people). What is also true is that EVERY.PERSON on this Earth is also not great at things.
The biggest truth in all is that, IT.DOESN'T.MATTER.
As a parent, I have always believed that it is my job to offer experiences to my child so that they can determine what they enjoy and through that, learn the truth of their gifts and downfalls.
It isn't about the end result, its about the process of trying, learning, failing AND succeeding.
My son has played sports since he was 2 (right after he got his first pair of thick glasses and later bifocals). Street hockey was a disaster (in fairness, he couldn't even count so maybe we were jumping the gun..."take 5 shots" - blink, blink.) He is a fish and has been in swim lessons forever, basketball, baseball, karate, flag football, soccer, you name it. He HATED some, he was GOOD at some and he has SUCKED at others. We are still trying to find his favorite and often it changes with the seasons. He's not the best baseball player on the team and likely he won't ever be, but he loves it. When our team moved up to machine pitch and he was growing frustrated with a lack of hits, we asked him if he wanted to try something different in the off season. Much to our dismay, he said "NO!". He wasn't having fun at the time with baseball, but he wasn't ready to stop. He wanted to keep trying and I am SO glad we agreed to let him! Looking back, that may be one of the best things we have done as parents yet. I remember Brian and I sitting on the bleachers for the first game of machine pitch and my palms were sweaty because I was afraid he was going to suck and he was going to feel failure and so would we. In a way, he did and he still leaves some games frustrated or feeling bad about his performance but it isn't my job to say "no, you aren't good...let's do something else." He's grown in baseball and gotten better but that is no longer our focus. If a time comes when he decides he is done, we are all for that too. NONE of that matters. I don't care if he plays for 1 season or 7. If he makes it to the big leagues one day, great. Hopefully he will treat me to dinner like Von did for Mama Gloria! What DOES matter is that I offer what Mama Gloria offered; support, love, opportunity.
The world will show him what he is good at and what he isn't. Heck, it already is at age 7. But I will BE.DAMNED if any of those discouraging words ever come from me!
Von also talked about the teams' saying from this season,
"Iron sharpens Iron"
(no surprise Ware had some impact on this. He is another one that could inspire a blog post or two...these two together?! UNREAL.)
Anyway, Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Mama Gloria, in that moment, was Iron that sharpened her son. She supported him in his desire to do his thing. Neither failure or success would have taken that lesson away from him.
Parents, lets be Iron for our children. Let's let them grow and learn and struggle and fail and support them and love them and grow together and become better right along side them! Let's encourage them to be their best and find what they are the best at. Let's love and support their dreams even if all we can see are the obstacles that are in their way. We may get the storybook ending or a few tears in the end but regardless they will know they tried and they were supported and THAT is worth far more!
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Christmas is coming, Christmas is COMING!!
34 days people! 34 days until CHRISTMAS! I don't know about you but that makes me bipolar; both sad because that doesn't seem like enough time to squeeze in the fun stuff and excited because these next 34 days are so magical and the anticipation is so joyful I just CAN'T.EVEN.
**Pentatonix on Pandora while reading this is suggested**
Anyyyyyyway, this time of year there are so many great opportunities to spend both intentional
and just fun time with our kids and lets be honest, they are out of school A.LOT. SO, it is also a
great time for a checklist of fun things to do with your kids during Winter/Christmas/In the snow
/No school days! A friend requested I write down some of our favorites so...here ya go!
but seriously...ANY. How Colorado right?)
2. Let the kids help make some homemade marshmallows for hot cocoa that night! Recipe HERE
3. City square lighting ceremonies are becoming more and more popular and more fun! There are often carriage rides, carolers and often Themed events (Loveland is doing a Whooville theme this year?! How fun!)
4. One of my kids favorite things are indoor snowball fights! No, I am not crazy...(ok, well nevermind) BUT, we don't do snow IN the house (except for in the water table...more on that later). Rolled up white socks or matchless white socks are EVEN better and go nuts!
5. Build a fort.
6. Do 5, then add a string of Christmas lights and a few good books!
7. Make salt dough ornaments. Recipe HERE
8. Indoor snow play...when the kids were little we would bring in a few small sand buckets full of snow and let them play inside in their water table...now they are too big for a water table but a big ol' bucket on a beach towel works great! Mittens and snow while warm and in PJ's? Yes please! Add colored water or buttons and a small carrot and tell them to build a snowman!
9. Go Sledding. Repeat.
10. See lights! If you don't want to spend money, drive around! Pinterest has some super cute scavenger hunt lists for Christmas light displays and I will admit at 32 I still squeal when we sync the radio to a house display! HERE are some fun scavenger hunt lists for your drive!
11. Zoo lights 3d fun and oh, so pretty!
12. Parade of lights
13. Christmas shows/polar express train (even closer now in Golden at the train museum!)
14. Make snowmen crafts! SO many options! Build them with marshmallows and toothpicks, mix glue and shaving cream and paint 3d snowmen, draw blank snowmen shapes on white paper and have your kids decorate their own version!
15. Make snow...there are TONS of recipes we like but if you aren't into making it you can find a tube (that expands to about 3 cups worth) at hobby lobby for $4 or so with a 40% off coupon. Want to make your own..try this one, looks easy enough! Try this one!
16. Christmas-y coloring sheets. My 7 year old has NEVER enjoyed coloring but he likes the adult ones a tad more. Google and Pinterest are your friends here.
17. Go to a local pottery store and create an ornament or gifts for cousins/grandparents, etc.!
18. ANY night we are home during this next month, we will be watching a holiday movie. My guess for the number of times we watch Home Alone is right about 10..anyone care to place an over/under bet? No seriously, ABC has a GREAT line up that you can set your DVR to record so you are always ready with a classic! Take it one step further and look for craft ideas that incorporate the movies! Here is the lineup!
19. Decide on an advent (or two or seven) that fit your families beliefs or focus for the season! We have always loved to wrap christmas books up and have the kids unwrap one a day to read that night...we also will be doing a bible verse advent this year and reading a scripture a day that focuses on the reason for the season. There are SO many options of different things you can do, the sky is the limit!
20. Cut paper snowflakes to decorate the house with! Or, cut the snowflakes and decorate a north pole fort!
21. Candy cane Playdough anyone?
22. Have the kids get involved with dinner...Snowman pizza?
23. Gingerbread houses and cookie decorating, of course!
24. Set up a play wrapping station...use newspaper, stamps, markers, stickers, old boxes from food and let them play!
25. Make Christmas cards for family/friends to go with the gifts they give..there is something ridiculously adorable about kids artwork.
26. Who doesn't love magic reindeer food for the front lawn? Glitter and oats!
I will update more as I think of them but more than anything, I hope you are able ignore the hustle and bustle and just enjoy the magic this time of year brings!
**Pentatonix on Pandora while reading this is suggested**
Anyyyyyyway, this time of year there are so many great opportunities to spend both intentional
and just fun time with our kids and lets be honest, they are out of school A.LOT. SO, it is also a
great time for a checklist of fun things to do with your kids during Winter/Christmas/In the snow
/No school days! A friend requested I write down some of our favorites so...here ya go!
1. Go Ice Skating at an outdoor rink...you pick where Denver, Evergreen, there are TONS
(sure the one in evergreen has one of the BEST winerys EVER just a few blocks away *Creekside Cellars*but seriously...ANY. How Colorado right?)
2. Let the kids help make some homemade marshmallows for hot cocoa that night! Recipe HERE
3. City square lighting ceremonies are becoming more and more popular and more fun! There are often carriage rides, carolers and often Themed events (Loveland is doing a Whooville theme this year?! How fun!)
4. One of my kids favorite things are indoor snowball fights! No, I am not crazy...(ok, well nevermind) BUT, we don't do snow IN the house (except for in the water table...more on that later). Rolled up white socks or matchless white socks are EVEN better and go nuts!
5. Build a fort.
6. Do 5, then add a string of Christmas lights and a few good books!
7. Make salt dough ornaments. Recipe HERE
8. Indoor snow play...when the kids were little we would bring in a few small sand buckets full of snow and let them play inside in their water table...now they are too big for a water table but a big ol' bucket on a beach towel works great! Mittens and snow while warm and in PJ's? Yes please! Add colored water or buttons and a small carrot and tell them to build a snowman!
9. Go Sledding. Repeat.
10. See lights! If you don't want to spend money, drive around! Pinterest has some super cute scavenger hunt lists for Christmas light displays and I will admit at 32 I still squeal when we sync the radio to a house display! HERE are some fun scavenger hunt lists for your drive!
11. Zoo lights 3d fun and oh, so pretty!
12. Parade of lights
13. Christmas shows/polar express train (even closer now in Golden at the train museum!)
14. Make snowmen crafts! SO many options! Build them with marshmallows and toothpicks, mix glue and shaving cream and paint 3d snowmen, draw blank snowmen shapes on white paper and have your kids decorate their own version!
15. Make snow...there are TONS of recipes we like but if you aren't into making it you can find a tube (that expands to about 3 cups worth) at hobby lobby for $4 or so with a 40% off coupon. Want to make your own..try this one, looks easy enough! Try this one!
16. Christmas-y coloring sheets. My 7 year old has NEVER enjoyed coloring but he likes the adult ones a tad more. Google and Pinterest are your friends here.
17. Go to a local pottery store and create an ornament or gifts for cousins/grandparents, etc.!
18. ANY night we are home during this next month, we will be watching a holiday movie. My guess for the number of times we watch Home Alone is right about 10..anyone care to place an over/under bet? No seriously, ABC has a GREAT line up that you can set your DVR to record so you are always ready with a classic! Take it one step further and look for craft ideas that incorporate the movies! Here is the lineup!
19. Decide on an advent (or two or seven) that fit your families beliefs or focus for the season! We have always loved to wrap christmas books up and have the kids unwrap one a day to read that night...we also will be doing a bible verse advent this year and reading a scripture a day that focuses on the reason for the season. There are SO many options of different things you can do, the sky is the limit!
20. Cut paper snowflakes to decorate the house with! Or, cut the snowflakes and decorate a north pole fort!
21. Candy cane Playdough anyone?
22. Have the kids get involved with dinner...Snowman pizza?
23. Gingerbread houses and cookie decorating, of course!
24. Set up a play wrapping station...use newspaper, stamps, markers, stickers, old boxes from food and let them play!
25. Make Christmas cards for family/friends to go with the gifts they give..there is something ridiculously adorable about kids artwork.
26. Who doesn't love magic reindeer food for the front lawn? Glitter and oats!
I will update more as I think of them but more than anything, I hope you are able ignore the hustle and bustle and just enjoy the magic this time of year brings!
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Local Summer FUN!
**Edited with new stuff for 2016 in purple**
Todays the day!
We have schooled. We have read the books, done the math, made the projects, had the music performances..we've done the work.
You know what they say...work hard, play hard.
Summer, we welcome you!
(and enough with this rain already...let's dry it up a bit, shall we?) - Funny that I typed that LAST year!
I have had a few friends lately call or message me asking for links to certain summer activities that we have done in the past and are looking forward to again this year AND let's face it...I am obnoxious about planning stuff sometimes SO I thought I would share a few links and favorites of ours to share!
Because I am a nerd...here is what my summer plan currently looks like...
Todays the day!
We have schooled. We have read the books, done the math, made the projects, had the music performances..we've done the work.
You know what they say...work hard, play hard.
Summer, we welcome you!
(and enough with this rain already...let's dry it up a bit, shall we?) - Funny that I typed that LAST year!
I have had a few friends lately call or message me asking for links to certain summer activities that we have done in the past and are looking forward to again this year AND let's face it...I am obnoxious about planning stuff sometimes SO I thought I would share a few links and favorites of ours to share!
Because I am a nerd...here is what my summer plan currently looks like...
And as of this morning...my desk looks similar!
Ok, roll your eyes if you must BUT it works for me AND, I must clarify...if we wake up and don't wanna, we don't. This just helps us know what is going on where that day so we can Carpe Diem as often as the Diem's let us Carpe (just go with it).
1. Swim lessons - we LOVE Apex outdoor lessons and prefer the Secrest Pool off 66th & Wads you can find lesson info at www.apexprd.org (I will warn you the outdoor ones go FAST!) My kids LOVE the outdoor pools and its a nice way to start our mornings and it gets us up and going (by 9 which is such a luxury compared to 7:30) and then we can get from lessons to another fun activity before going home to rest in the afternoon while I work a bit more dedicated (like from a computer instead of my phone)
2. We LOVE the outdoor music concerts for kids! This year there is ONE performer that little kids WILL NOT want to miss! Laurie Berkner! We have loved her since Blake was a tiny and are SO bummer we will not be in town for her concert! I promise if you go, the littles will LOVE it! The City of Arvada does have some super fun kids concerts but sadly we won't be in town this year for them...check out the concerts (and other fun events) HERE.
We have also really enjoyed some of the summer literacy programs from the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library..they have all kinds of great, free programs (plays, science shows, etc.) Check that out HERE
3. On that same note...the city of Wheat Ridge has a WEEKLY FREE (my favorite word) kids music/show program. I think it may be a little young for #lilbman but he may just have to deal for an hour a week and let his sister indulge...the shows range from musicians singing silly kid songs to magic shows. They are from 10-10:45 (starting June 22) at the Anderson Park and there is a fun/cheap community pool also so if you are there and want to do both for a fun day...carpe diem!
4. We have NOT taken full advantage of the activities at We now LOVE Majestic View Nature center and fully intend to do more this year! Bonfire and Bats, nature hikes with a professional nature guide, flashlight stories, etc. are right up my kids alley! You can find their "spring program guide" here and the summer should roll out soon! There are also free weekly story times with crafts, etc. and they are very educational and fun!
We did a program on Wednesday late afternoons last summer and BOTH kids loved it! I will update here once that program has started with details (its not posted yet) BUT, so worth it...they got to do SUCH fun things (catch tadpoles, fish, hike, I spy with binoculars, etc.)
5. We LOVE the library reading program as well as the free events they offer for the summer! The only bummer is they only promote the activities (again magic shows, etc.) if you GO IN THE LIBRARY to see the details...tricky tricky but it works! We go in to get on the list for the upcoming events and check out new books while we are there. Win win.
6. Kids hikes are always fun...lake arbor, two ponds, Waneka Lake are a few of our close favorites! Bring some binoculars and a camera and enjoy nature! I am going to work on a Google Doc that fellow moms can add to, there are SO many great ones we haven't even touched the surface yet!
7. Dollar movies are well, still AWESOME! Here is a link to the weekly schedules:
http://www.regmovies.com/Movies/Summer-Movie-Express
8. Bowling is also fun and Brunswick offers one free game of bowling a day (not counting shoe rentals) Go here to sign up:
http://coupons.bowlbrunswick.com/ballpass/
Chipper lanes also has a kids $2 game $2 shoe thing on Tuesdays..
And then there are just some fun stuff to hit when we can:
Red rocks
Firefighter museum (can get free pass through library)
Dino Ridge is good for one visit (also free through library)
Trucks in the Park (Louisville - although I haven't heard if its on this year)
Thursday night summer concerts in Old Town Arvada
Swimming at an outdoor pool or waterpark (Splash, the Bay, Pirates cove and we save ONE very special day for Water world!)
Bellevue Park petting zoo/train
Zoo
Kids museum
lakeside
heritage square (closing next year so get in this summer! $12 Tuesdays for unlimited rides - minus a few BIG ones)
Kids theatre at the Arvada Center
Broncos training camp - DUH!
Rockies day game
Downtown denver day - union station and light rail, 16th st mall, etc.
Tinytown
Boulder creek water play/park
Pottery painting
fishing at arvada res
Wildlife experience
Bear creek lake park beach swim
Estes park day trip
CO springs day trip
Berry patch picking
Flatirons sand box
bike rides
aquarium one day
driving range
scott carpenter park
runway grill lunch
wow
lucky pie/ice cream/louisville library day
big air jump
roller skating
confluence park
golden downtown and creek
dave and busters
chataqua
lair o the bear hike
botanic gardens
buffalo bill
kids movies at Film on the Rocks..pretty sure my baseball kids would LOVE the Sandlot at such a cool venue!
**Another REALLY cool thing is the culture pass that our library offers its members! If you haven't checked it out yet, DO IT! They just added Denver Museum of Nature and Science to their list of cool museums that have daily free admission for library members!! AMAZING!
So, there ya have it. If you have questions let me know and if YOU have ideas that you love and enjoy, I would LOVE to hear them!
I'm off to go crush Oreo's for Blakes party this morning...4.more.hours! Who's counting? - Kendra out.
ok summer, bring it on!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Gingerbread Houses
This year I finally found a good recipe for making homemade gingerbread houses! The recipe was easy and Piper and I had fun making them while Blake was at school.
I love watching her excitement to help me in the kitchen. The girl loves to cook! Cracking eggs are her favorite although it is a bit tricky still. I love how she always climbs on the counter when we determine that we are going to cook something. Its her spot.
Once we had the gingerbread houses cooked, I found a recipe for the best gingerbread glue and it held up to its name! These houses were STURDY and ready for piles of candy and so were the kids.
We assembled the houses and then over the weekend we began to decorate. I was the frosting spreader and the kids did all the rest.
I absolutely love Blake's attention to detail for his house. His attention to detail and his realistic-ness that made him look at me funny when I suggested he just use white frosting for the tree had me smiling the whole time. "Trees are GREEN mom" For the love, how do I not know that?! ;)
So, ladies and gentlemen here you have it - Our houses.
Blake: A wreath over the front door, a size appropriate snowman out front, a pattern of lights trimming the roof, a Santa on top (and he was VERY concerned that we didn't have a chimney so "its weird that he is just standing up there"), and his house backs to a private ice skating pond with a snowbank and snowballs next to it.
And now for Piper's:
Just a lot of candy (all of which has been licked) in random places <3
Once we had the gingerbread houses cooked, I found a recipe for the best gingerbread glue and it held up to its name! These houses were STURDY and ready for piles of candy and so were the kids.
We assembled the houses and then over the weekend we began to decorate. I was the frosting spreader and the kids did all the rest.
I absolutely love Blake's attention to detail for his house. His attention to detail and his realistic-ness that made him look at me funny when I suggested he just use white frosting for the tree had me smiling the whole time. "Trees are GREEN mom" For the love, how do I not know that?! ;)
Blake: A wreath over the front door, a size appropriate snowman out front, a pattern of lights trimming the roof, a Santa on top (and he was VERY concerned that we didn't have a chimney so "its weird that he is just standing up there"), and his house backs to a private ice skating pond with a snowbank and snowballs next to it.
And now for Piper's:
Just a lot of candy (all of which has been licked) in random places <3
It took them two different "sessions" of decorating because they worked so hard their hands got tired BUT they are SO proud of their houses it was so fun to watch!
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