Potatoes

Clare LOVES to help cook and is a pro at using the KitchenAid mixer.  Last night after she ate she helped me make the mashed potatoes.  They were delicious.

Evans Twins

Clare wanted to look just like Grammy yesterday, it's too bad I don't also have that t-shirt.

Pikes Peak

Today Clare summited her second 14’er by riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs all the way to the top.  The train ride was 8.9 miles and took about 1.25hrs.  We were all looking forward to the trip and found our seats while Clare took one last walk around before having to sit on our laps for the rip.

The views from the train were pretty amazing; the conductor was quick to point out interesting rocks, waterfalls, trees, and other points of interest.  Those sitting on the ‘three-seat side’ of the train had some pretty great photo opportunities while those of us on the ‘two-seat side’ saw lots of rocks.  The people on the three-seat side kept getting up to take pictures, hope they got some good ones.

She thought about taking a nap on the way up. 

We finally reached the summit and got off the train, I was surprised how many people were at the top, we had to wait in line to get in the door of the little building!  We only had 30 minutes at the top, so we had to be quick about of restroom break, doughnut eating, t-shirt shopping and picture taking.  Clare was a real trooper; she ate an entire doughnut, had some juice and used the ladies room all after getting a few quick pictures and doing a little rock climbing.  

Mom and I stopped in front of the sign for a quick picture before getting back on the train, lucky for us the one pic we took turned out pretty well.

Clare wasn't as interested in having her picture taken. 

The ride back down wasn’t nearly as interesting, because the train doesn’t turn around we were still on the side with fewer points of interest.  Clare didn’t seem to mind, she was asleep within the first 10 minutes. 

Mom bought me a new Kindle, I'm loving it and it was perfect for the ride back down. 

I think we were all pretty glad to be back in Manitou Springs and have room to stretch our legs.  A friend had suggested a BBQ place just a few miles from the train depot so we loaded up and headed for Rudy’s before heading back home.  The BBQ was really good, after a long day we all enjoyed our lunch.

We took two cars, we could have all fit into Jeff’s car but Grammy and Grampy planned to make a few stops on the way back, so we took separate ways from Rudy’s.  Jeff suggested taking the back roads home, it turned out to be a really nice drive.  We didn’t see many other cars, and drove thru some beautiful areas, including some of the Hayman fire area.  The most interesting thing we saw on our way home was a bear!  Both Jeff and I did a double take; sure enough right there in the road was a bear.  I quickly got the camera as Jeff pulled over.  The bear ran across the road and back into the wooded area (which had been burned so we could still see the bear) and up the hill.  Jeff pointed out this was the second Bear he’d seen, but unfortunately he didn’t have a broom with him to duel it; luckily he didn’t need his broom.

The bear is on the right side of the picture, just to the left of that first tree. 

 

Overall it was a great day and an experience we won’t forget.  I don’t know that we’ll be taking the train the next time, but we can say we’ve done it.  

Leaves

Tonight when I asked Clare what she wanted for dinner she announced she wanted some leaves, I couldn’t believe my ears.  I asked her again if she wanted leaves with ranch and she said yes.  Even more surprisingly she ate almost the entire bowl!   She also wanted big girl water for dinner, so of course she had some big girl water.  She has done very well with drinking from a regular cup, granted there is only a little bit of water in it, but still, I have yet to clean up a spill. 

This afternoon while the ladies shopped Grampy stayed home and hung new towel bars in all the bathrooms, we can now hang our towels up!!  Clare was an excellent shopping companion; she listened very well and didn’t test the limits.  Grammy and I had a lot of fun and were pretty efficient shoppers, I don’t think we got side tracked at all.  Our last stop was at Target where Clare got a huge treat, a new baby.

After a happy nappy, and another trip to Home Depot for Grampy, Clare and Grampy threw the ball for Kai.  Clare insists on throwing the ball for her. 

Tomorrow we are going on an adventure on a train, I hope Clare enjoys the ride, cause it’s a long one. 

Target Shopping

Clare loves when her Grammy and Grampy come to visit.  Today we went to Target where her Grammy got her a new baby that eats, sleeps, cries and blinks her eyes.  Bitty Baby isn't so sure about this new baby.

Line Leader

Thursday was a better day than Tuesday; she did cry but not as much and didn’t get Bunny.  I walked by the room as they were sitting in a circle singing songs; she looked happy and was sitting next to Ms Shaddy.  Her class goes to the playground everyday, they all hold onto a rope with different colored rings as they walk in a line.  I caught the tail end of their line as they were walking to the playground, thankfully she didn’t see me, but Julian’s mom did J    I cracked my door open so I could see them walk back to their room and was pleasantly surprised to see that she was the line leader.

All the mom’s line up outside the room starting at about 11:20, thru the window I could see everyone sitting at the tables with their backpacks waiting for their name to be called.  Clare looked so sweet sitting there waiting for me, when she saw me at the door she got up and ran over to me and gave me a big hug, it was wonderful.  Mrs. Abbas handed me the apple that she made, it’s another beautiful piece of artwork that’s on the fridge.

I made the mistake of walking Clare thru the pool to get to our car, of course she wanted to swim and when I told her we couldn’t she wanted to ‘work’.  I felt awful but knew we needed to get to Karen’s, I’ll be parking in the front of the building from now on, I don’t like upsetting her and I owe her a trip to the pool.

Taking Clare to Karen’s has been a challenge this week; she hasn’t been herself.  On Tuesday she cried for 45 minutes at naptime, crying for her Bunny, which Karen finally gave her.  Clare has never had Bunny at Karen’s.  Wednesday was another rough day, she didn’t want to get out of the car, didn’t want to walk to the door and cried when I left.  Naptime was difficult again, but Bunny was there to comfort her.  Thursday was even worse.  She cried as we drove to Karen’s and didn’t want to get out of the car and then stood next to the car saying she didn’t want to go.  When we finally got to the door she was willing to walk in, but didn’t want me to put her down or leave, and cried and reached for me as I left, it broke my heart to leave.  Bunny stayed with her again on Thursday.   

Maybe it’s the change in routine, or maybe it’s terrible twos, or maybe it’s the four teeth she has coming in; whatever it is she’s having a rough time.  We’ve called GG and Pawpaw almost every afternoon this week; Clare loves to talk to them on the phone, even if it is difficult to understand her.  Gail thinks maybe her behavior is because of the change in routine and that hopefully it will be better in a week or two, I sure hope she’s right.  

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 4^th wedding anniversary, the Sweetest day of my life.  4 years ago today we gathered with our friends and family next to the Blue River in Summit County and said ‘I Do’. 

Merrell was our master of ceremonies. I couldn’t think of a better person to lead us on this adventure, he and Imo have been a wonderful example of what a strong, loving, and lifelong partnership and marriage should be.   When people ask me who married us I smile and think of what a wonderful job he did and how much it meant to us that he was willing to take on that role.  Thank you Merrell, I am forever grateful. 

As my Dad and I were waiting for everyone to take their seats, before the rain started, he asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this, I’d never been so sure of anything and it turns out I made a good decision that day.  As he and I walked down the isle I can remember thinking that surely this couldn’t be real, and surely everyone wasn’t looking at me. 

Once I reached the end I remember feeling calm and confident and that everything was going to turn out all right.  I remember watching Greg’s face, he was standing behind Jeff, and thinking how lucky I was that he was there to support us and how grateful I was that our paths in life had crossed, he and Gail raised a perfect man for me. 

I don’t remember the ceremony word for word; I wonder if anyone remembers their wedding ceremony like that, I remember Merrell reading 1 Corinthians 13; Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Loves does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preservers.  I think we’ve lived our marriage pretty true to this, we are definitely good match for each other and have a solid partnership together. 

One of the things I remember clearly from our wedding ceremony is the end when Merrell began to announce our marriage and a clap of thunder stilled us all, as though God was announcing his presence and sealing our marriage.  Thankfully my brother had planned ahead and stashed some golf umbrellas behind him, before I knew it he was handing me an umbrella and the rain was falling. I’ve heard there wasn’t much organization to everyone getting from the riverside to the pavilion, but I figure that’s just another element of our day that we’ll remember.

The reception was a lot of fun, nothing over the top but perfect for us.  The DJ insisted that we had to be announced; neither of us were fond of that but oh well.  He also insisted that we needed a first dance, so Jeff decided that the Honeydippers Sea of Love would be our first dance song, we even asked the DJ to shorten the song as neither of us can really dance and frankly we weren’t overly excited about being the center of attention like that.  I remember telling Jeff that to help take the focus off he needed to sing the song while we ‘danced’, he did. 

We had a great evening, our friends and family appeared to enjoy themselves, the food was pretty good and it was fun to see so many people that had come to celebrate with us.  It was a wonderful weekend.

I am forever grateful for Jeff and couldn’t imagine a better person to walk thru life with.  We have fun together, understand each other, compliment each other, and have brought the most amazing little girl into the world together.  I love him more today that I did 4 years ago, I can’t wait to see what our future has in store for us.

I love you Jeff. 

First Day Of Preschool

Today was Clare’s first day of school Child Discovery Time preschool.  We’re fortunate that there is such a wonderful preschool program at the Rec. center where I work, and even more fortunate that there was space for her in the Tuesday/Thursday 9-11:30 class.   I am confident that this is a wonderful program and Clare will do well, once she gets over the first few days she’ll love it.

We’ve been talking about going to school and preparing her for today.  Last week she and I bought her school supplies, 1 box of wipes, 1 bottle of Elmer’s glue, and 9 swim diapers.  I couldn’t help but get excited looking around the school supply department at Target, there’s something about new pens that just gets me going.  One thing Clare is very much looking forward to, and likes to talk about, is riding the school bus.  Yesterday she was talking about how the school bus would take her to school today, I hated to break her heart telling her that unfortunately school busses didn’t go to her school, maybe in 3 more years she’ll get to finally ride the school bus. 

This morning when I walked into her room she was lying there with Bunny and holding her baby.  She looked so perfect, and was so happy to see me walk in the room.  I asked her if she remembered what today was, she was beyond excited and yelled ‘I get to ride the bus to school!’  I reminded her that unfortunately she wouldn’t be riding the bus but rather I would take her to school, she was fine with this and exclaimed that she wanted to wear a pretty dress!  She got dressed and then fixed herself a waffle while I did her Mama Tails.  It was a great morning and I loved seeing her so excited. 

Before leaving for school I suggested taking pictures outside to send to GG, Pawpaw, Grammy and Grampy.  I went with the mountain background, our front door isn't nearly as pleasing to the eye. 

When we arrived at the Rec. center she asked we were going to my work, I reminded her that her school was at my work.  We parked in the back and made our way to the classroom.  I knew that she would know three other kids, Kinnan and Lily also go to Karen’s, and Kennah is the daughter of one of Jeff’s softball teammates and also happens to be the granddaughter of our executive director.  Fortunately Kennah and her mom Tarah, and baby brother Easton, were walking up as we arrived, it was nice to see a friendly face on the first day of school.  Clare and Kennah immediately started talking; I think Clare felt a little more at ease seeing someone she knew.  It was even more reassuring to see Kinnan and Lily walk up, she loves to play with Lily and wanted to hold her packpack just like her.

Kennah and Clare

Kinnan, Lily and Clare - Karen's Kids

Kennah and Clare testing out the water fountain as we waited.

This is the best picture of the morning, minus the little boy photo bombing it :/

We waited in the hallway until a few minutes before nine when Ms. Shaddy opened the door.  Clare walked in without hesitation and immediately began playing with the babies, kitchens, ironing board and camera.  I hardly had a moment to take a picture of her with her cubby before she was off and playing.  Clare has her own cubby with her name on it, and it’s spelled right!  I hung her packpack in her cubby and handed the teacher her school supplies.  I tried to convince her to smile for the camera but she was too busy playing, it was all I could do to keep her still long enough to pin her nametag on her. 

Cheese Mama!!

After a few more minutes of trying to get her picture I decided I should just leave, I figured if I left while she was happy maybe she wouldn’t mind and we’d get thru the day without tears.  So, I asked her for a hug and kiss and told her how proud I was of her and how much I loved her.  She gave me a hug and ran back to the play kitchen.  I left the room and headed back to my office 40 yards away.   This is when the first time mom nerves got me, I just left my little girl in a classroom, and she’s going to school!  I shouldn’t have, but I wanted to go check on her.  When I walked by the room I didn’t see her, until the teacher carried her out of the bathroom with huge alligator tears running down her face.  I quickly ducked so she wouldn’t see me and waited around the corner where I could see thru the window.  She wasn’t the loudest kid, Julian was having a real hard time, and so was his mom who was sitting in the hall.  I watched for a few more minutes, Mrs. Abbas tried to interest her in a toy and then walked over to the fish tank.  I decided to be the stronger of the two of us and walk away, I knew she would be fine, and plus Ms. Shaddy had officially closed the door.

I texted my Mom and GG on my way back to my office, letting them know that she was in her classroom and had officially started her first first day of school.  I called Jeff and let him know she was upset and to please be early to pick her up, of course the one day a month when I have a meeting somewhere else was today so I wasn’t able to be there to pick her up. 

I kept checking my phone anxious for a message from Jeff about how the pickup went, finally at 12:01 I got a message saying that she had happily walked on the wall outside the Rec. center on their way to the car, I took that to be a victory walk of sorts.  When I asked if the teacher had anything to report he said that apparently she’d gotten her Bunny out of her packpack and was fine after that.  She gave Jeff her very first art project, a packpack that she decorated with some paper, it’s absolutely beautiful and I’ve put it on the fridge. I’m sure there will be lots of art projects in her future and I can’t wait to make room on the wall for all of them.

All in all it was a successful first day of school and she says she wants to go back on Thursday.  I think we’ll leave Bunny in my office, I’m sure she’ll have some important work to do while Clare is in class and will be very happy to see her when she’s done.