Bowen is home sweet home

After two awful, exhausting, emotional days, we are happy to announce that we picked Bowen up at the humane society today. He had been found by an officer Sunday and dropped off there. Because it was Sunday and yesterday (Monday) was Cesar Chavez day, we weren't able to go look and they didn't have staff calling about dogs. We got a call about noon today. He had a good report card from the pound, it even said he is great on a leash, ha. It also said he is about 2 years old, maybe he acts that way, but the guy is 7 1/2! Its also a great day because we got news from our vet that none of the 4 tumors removed are cancerous, what a relief! Anyway, as you can imagine, we are relieved to have our naughty, but loving 4th child back.

Adler

Adler strapped in heading to happy hour with dad.

All grown up playing drump truck with LT.
On the way to the playground to watch his big brother dig in the sand and snow.

Bowen

This is probably pointless - anyone who reads this that might have found Bowen would know how to find us. But I'm feeling helpless and after looking around and posting flyers all day, I don't know what else to do.

I put something on craig's list which says pretty much the same thing as the flyers and as I've copied below:

Bowen is a 7 ½ year old fawn and white boxer who got out of the back yard in Berkeley/Highlands around 11AM on Sunday March 28th.
He recently had minor surgery to remove several cancerous tumors and is on pain and antibiotic medications that he needs twice a day. He has stitches behind both ears and on his chest and legs.
He is neutered.
He has a microchip.
He had a collar with tags last time we saw him.
He’s very friendly with people but can be aggressive with other dogs sometimes.Please call Brian @ 303.918.9415 with any info.
Thank you!

Shaving Cream and Cars

Another fun activity I did a lot when I taught preschool was smearing shaving cream with various toys. Since LT and Z love cars and trucks so much, today we plowed snow (shaving cream) with trucks. LT is normally a clean kid. He whines when food gets on his hands, shirt or pants. We wipe his hands what seems like a hundred times each meal. But... when it comes to shaving cream, he had no trouble getting his whole body covered in it.
He was a busy guy!
Z had a great time too, but his preference was to leave the snow in piles.

A Day in the Life at Preschool

I was one of the parent helpers in LTs school today. I get to do this often and really enjoy being so involved in his first school experience.Last year, Brian and I toured a few different schools. Steele, his current school, allowed the kids to come to the open house. They had a few activities set out during the open house for the kids. LT fondly remembered the little bears and talked about them a lot. Today, those bears were out when we got there.
The majority of the day for Z and LT was spent filling wooden trucks with animals and driving them around. Z was so excited to tell me what they were doing that he kept saying he was driving "amamamamallllll trucks".
Z showing of his ammmmamamamamal truck.
Teacher Anne had some really fun stuff in the water table that Isaac played with.
And some easter sheep for the kids to glue peanuts onto.
And another painting art project. I am always amazed by what they fit into the two hours of school. In addition to all of this, the kids go out EVERY day (unless its below 20 degrees) and eat a snack!

Dudes in Diaps

LT doesn't always want to take a bath, unless Adler can come with him. Tonight, the boys both really needed a bath and LT was super excited about it. He said he wanted to have a sock and diaper party with Adler first. We settled for just diapers.
He wanted to pose, and yes he used that word, for the camera with Adler on the rocking chair.
I think Adler likes the dudes in diaper party idea too!

Sick and Snowy days

Adler is pretty sick (although thanks to a quick trip to the pediatrician and some antibiotics, he's getting better fast!) Because of that, we have not taken many pictures, written blogs or really ventured out of the house. Yesterday was the first day he was feeling better, and bam, we had a huge blizzard. So, although its been a rough few days, here are some of the fun things we have done! We made bunny salads for snack.
Give Adler lots and lots of hugs, kisses and love while he is getting better.
And make paper spring flowers! With lots and lots and lots of glue.

Sitting up

The milestones for the second child come and go with somewhat less fanfare than they did with the first.

I'm not exactly sure how long Adler's been able to sit up on his own but I noticed him doing it tonight and thought to myself it was about time I got a picture of it.

Still a little wobbly though.

Adler's eating again

Adler has some stomach problems and so we took a break from giving him solids. However, after asking the doctor about it, she explained that solids wouldn't cause any more stomach problems and in fact would help keep milk down. We have added solids back into his diet and he's loving it! The kid is a bottomless pit when it comes to solid food, seriously. Bri had to cut him off the other morning after 2 bowls of cereal. He ate a half of a banana today for breakfast. He loves avocado and carrots. Really, he will eat anything. The only problem is that now that LT has watched him eat, he wants to share his food with his brother. While this is very endearing, its also constant monitoring by our part. I turned around the other afternoon to see LT sharing his corn chex with Adler.

Firefighters Museum

We met Joe at the Firefighters Museum this morning. I had only been there for rehersal dinners before, it was a different atmosphere with kids.
The museum is just a block from the Denver Athletic Club. The boys and I parked there (free for us) and walked over. The DAC gives kids crackers and Adler was hungry, so we stopped briefly for a snack on the plush, brand new couches, which were speckled with crumbs when snack time was all said and done.
LT in front of one of the oldest non-horse drawn fire engines.
The museum is very kid friendly, equipped with fire hats, jackets and boots for kids to wear and tons of things for them to touch, feel, play with and read! Above, Joe, the fireman!
and LT the fireman!
Joe figuring out how to work the fire extinguisher, good thing to know how to use!

Holding Hands

We headed to REI today to meet up with Joe and Z. Shawn, Shannon, Brian and I were talking, when all of a sudden we turned around and Z and LT were holding hands. Bri grabbed this quick shot.
Before we knew it, the duo had found Joe's hand too! Adorable.

Double Wide

Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, we decided it was time to put together the double Chariot bike trailer that has been in a box, brand new, in our garage for months. LT got out all his tools to help dad put this together. Once it was all set, he wanted to take Adler, Brown B, and blankie for a ride. Unfortunately, despite beautiful weather the past few days, we had pouring rain most of today. It wasn't a good day for a bike ride outside, but the boys settled for riding around in our living room.

Naptime

I have gotten both kids on the same afternoon nap schedule, luckily. The nice part is that they both sleep at the same time, giving me a chance to sleep, work and read. The bad part is that they both need to get to sleep at the same time, which is challenging. LT needs his books read to him and likes someone to snuggle for a few minutes. Adler needs to be nursed and rocked. It is manageable by myself, but much more enjoyable on the weekends when Brian is here to help with LT. They often times fall asleep together talking, which is very sweet. I finally caught a quick picture of them.
And little Adler, napping away too.

Fundraiser

LTs school had a big fundraiser yesterday. It was planned downtown at Gumbos restaurant, accidentally on the same day as the biggest parade in downtown Denver. The coordinators of the event kindly changed the time so that the brunch started at 9 and the parade at 10. However, it was still pretty crowded downtown and parking was hard to come by. Being the cheap people Brian and I are, we parked at our gym about a mile and a half away from the event and walked the boys. Luckily it was a 60 plus degree day out.
The event was such a financial success that Gumbos was packed, completely. Tables were hard to come by and crowds were thick. We stayed for awhile and had some breakfast, but left after a bit to wander the streets downtown. We walked down the 16th street mall which is a great place for people watching. Especially on the St. Paddy's day parade day. We saw some quality stuff.LT wanted to stop and watch a street performer, but didn't want to get too close. We stayed a fair distance away.
Adler was exhausted from the big event and slept on the way back to the car.

While we didn't spend much time at the fundraiser, nor did we attend the St Paddy's day parade, we did enjoy a nice family morning strolling the streets downtown.

When you leave a baby for 2 seconds....

Despite me writing a whole blog about how active Adler is and how I always need to strap him into things, I don't always strap him in. Today, I put him down for 2 seconds to get LT a snack and didn't strap him into the bouncy. I turned around to see this:
Crazy kid.

Who's pushing who?

It's Friday, which means that LT has school for 2.5 hours. LT has to be at school at 9. He gets up at 8 or later and Adler needs a nap around 8 or a bit later. LT needs to eat and get dressed before school. Adler needs to eat. Mom needs coffee and to get dressed. Its always a bit chaotic. In order to get LT to school on time and still let Adler nap (and mom get some exercise), we decided to run to school today. That way, Adler could nap in the stroller, LT could eat breakfast and he and I could talk a little. LT was really excited, until he asked what I was going to do while he was in the stroller. I told him I was going to run and push the two of them. He said he could run. Its about 1.5 miles each way. He's not a bad runner, but only for a block or so. I let him push Adler to the door and somehow bribed him to get in the stroller. It worked. We made it to school, Adler slept on the way and was asleep in my arms in the school until the firemen came and had to set off the fire alarm (go figure). Regardless, it is a gorgeous, sunny day in Denver and it was nice to not have to drive.

The DAM (Denver Art Museum)

Yesterday, a longtime friend, Roxanne, called to see if LT and Adler wanted to meet her kids (Isis and Ambrose) at the art museum. I hadn't taken LT yet, but given how much he loves art, I thought he might really enjoy it. I wasn't mistaken. We spent the majority of the time in this wonderful word exhibit where various words are brightly written on the walls and pillows are sewn into words you can jump on. LT and Isis even made one of the pillow words into a train. Of course, I didn't get my camera out until we had left that exhibit and only managed to take these two pictures.
The art museum was recently (relatively) expanded. When they built the new addition, they built it across a busy street and creatively linked the two buildings with this great glass bridge. They loved watching the cars zoom beneath them.

Mug Shots

Gorgeous Spring day

This winter has been full of days with very cold temps, intertwined with just plain cold days. This is pretty unusual for Colorado, we typically don't have snow covering the ground more than a few days and we usually have a handful of warm, dry days in the winter. I go a little stir crazy being inside so much. We woke up to a bright, sunny and warm day with absolutely nothing on our agenda. I asked LT what he wanted to do and he said, "dig in the dirt at the zoo in the park", followed by, "go to the botanic gardens", followed by, "park". Not wanting to upset a two year old, I asked Bri what he thought LT meant. Bri suggested that we go to the zoo, which is in a park to combine at least two of his answers. Adler doesn't care where we go, he's just happy to tag along (at least for now).
Happy Adler in the car seat getting ready to go.
It was really bright out today and poor Adler doesn't have any glasses. I put mine on him and he was happy.
LT checking out the zebras, backhoe in hand. I asked LT what animals he wanted to see and he said, "where is the dirt, where can I dig?" We were on a mission.
Luckily along the way, there were some "struction" workers fixing the tiger area. We stopped to watch for awhile.
And finally found some dirt and twigs to dig in. We spent the remainder of our zoo morning right here, digging.
And Adler was content just watching his brother.
The two times I have taken the boys to the zoo, Adler is wide awake the entire time in the zoo and falls asleep in the stroller walking out of the zoo on the way to the car. Today was no exception.