JCC acting camp

Adler took a little acting camp at the JCC this summer.  They played a lot of games where they would pretend they were different things, read lots of fables (the camp was based on Aesops fables), completed many art projects and did a short performance at the very end of the week in which they had practiced a few times as well as built the set and made the costumes.  All the kids were lions and the teacher was a mouse, each learning lessons from each other.  I was a little shocked by how confident Adler was during the performance and how much fun he seemed to have in this type of camp.

Such a cute lion :)

Canoeing

 The boys, along with grandma and papa, took a week long vacation to Seattle and San Diego to visit uncle Scott, Aunt Ying and Nicholas.  While in Seattle, we managed to squeeze in one sunny day and decided to go canoeing!  

 We split into two canoes, Grandma with the big boys and Adler with Papa and I.  

 This was a first for our kids, but they really enjoyed being on the water.

Swim with Finn

The boys and I have enjoyed swimming this summer.  Landon is completely water safe (in fact he passed the deep end test, meaning he swam across the pool and back and floated on his back for 10 seconds).  Now that he's deep end safe, he can go anywhere in the pool alone, and he does!  His good friend is at camp at Stanley and they are lucky enough to swim each afternoon with their camp.  Landon and I went to the pool and timed it so that he could swim at the same time as Finn.  As Landon put it, "its so nice to have a friend who can swim the same way I can swim and we can do stuff in the deep end together".  I don't always understand the silly games they play, but its some sort of dramatic acting where they "fall" off the side of the pool and laugh hysterically and then climb out and do it again.  

Golf

I signed the boys up for a week long (1 hour a day) golf class with First Tee.  They were able to be in the same class (which is often rare, but really helps them both feel comfortable trying new things).  When we arrived on the first day, we were happily surprised that one of Landon's buddies from school was also in the class!  When dividing the group up into two (one to putt first and one to the driving range), these three grabbed onto each other for dear life.  I was so happy to see them including Adler so nicely.  

This was an extremely hot week unfortunately and the kids area is directly in the sun.  With lots of water, gatorade and a promise by me to take them swimming each afternoon, we managed to get through it happily.  Adler was by far the youngest (or at least the shortest) in the group.  Yet, he was not afraid to raise his hand and contribute to discussions and answer questions.  Often he would raise his hand before he thought about whether or not he had an answer.  Luckily his brother was right there to whisper the answer in his ear.  They make a pretty good team :)

Crested Butte

After years of talking about going to Crested Butte (neither of us had been before), we finally booked a trip with the boys to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary.  I can't believe we hadn't made this place a priority before.  

Not only are the views stunning, but this small town is a hopping place with something going on nearly every weekend.  We were lucky to be there during a 48 hour bike "race" consisting of folks dressed up in all sorts of costumes (a banana, tin man, guy dressed in a pink tutu and the highest pink heels I have ever seen etc).  It was quite entertaining to watch these folks do laps around the town.  

Before leaving Denver we asked some friends who have 3 kids and make a yearly trip to CB about good hikes.  The suggested one that goes up to a stunning waterfall and so we decided to do that one day.  All of these pictures are taken on this hike (unfortunately I didn't take pictures on anything else we did that long weekend.)

The boys enjoyed the hike and for the first time were both able to do the hike without any carrying.  In fact at times, Brian and I were running to keep up!

The waterfall could be seen at the top of the hike from a very high cliff (and Adler likes to point out that there were no railings, which was true).  It was one of the most spectacular waterfalls I have ever seen, but we did have to watch our step and stay back from the edge.

Adler doing what Adler does.

Jazz in the park

Since moving to our new home, we have tried to make Sunday nights at Jazz in City Park as much of a priority as we can.  Its easy to walk to.  We load up both strollers with the boys, chairs, towels, toys and dinner and head out to enjoy the people watching and music.  My dad was able to join us one Sunday and I took this sweet picture of him reading a mine craft book to Adler.  

Bellview Park

The boys and I made our annual summer trek down to Bellview Park.  The past few years we have met the Platt boys there for some water wading and sand digging!  We also rode on the train again, though as I found with Lakeside, Landon is getting a little big for the train.

A small stream winds through this enormous park giving plenty of perfect places for kids to wade and dig in the sandy bottom.  

A picnic lunch is necessary, its a full day event!

Elliott, the Platt's youngest, was able to walk and enjoy the stream this year too!

Isaac, Landon, Jonah and Adler had so much fun in the river and also just running around the grassy park!

Chihuly

The botanic gardens in Denver is lucky to be showcasing one of the most famous glass artists in the world right now.  Dale Chihuly's work is scattered throughout the beautiful gardens.  The boys and I met some friends one afternoon and wandered around.  The art is so perfectly placed that it almost blends into the flowers and shrubs already there.  

Phoenix and Tino in front of some of Chihuly's work.

One of my closest friends from college (and roommate) worked for Dale for years.   Her stories and experiences have made his work so much more meaninful.  While living in Washington, I often saw his work scattered throughout Seattle (where his studio is), yet it was so fun to see the work in Denver!

 The boys really loved all the art, but I definitely want to go back with them at night when it is all lit up!

New Discovery Center

The Museum of Nature and Science just reopened their kids discovery center and it is better than I imagined it could be!  Its very hands on with ball ramps, water systems, blocks to build with, smells to smell, dino bones to dig up and much  much more.  The boys and I spent several hours there one hot afternoon.

Mr. Shine

Mr. Shine is a retired teacher who, in the summers, travels from library to library doing silly performances for kids.  He sings, dances, tells stories, acts with puppets and does magic.  Landon and I saw him several times a few years ago, but we finally managed to make it back to see him this summer with Adler.  

A boy and his [Grandpa's] dog

Kari is at a wedding in Vail this weekend and the boys and I are hanging out in the mountains with Baba and Grandpa. We went to Dillon Reservoir yesterday to play on the little beach there and LT (Alder too but mostly LT) threw sticks into the water for  my dad's dog Daisy to chase.  

Crested Butte

A little family trip to Crested Butte last weekend was the first time any of us had been there.