Getting ready for the baby

With about a week left until we meet this new little one, we have been slowly getting out the baby stuff again.  The boys find everything hilarious and "the best toys EVER!"

First Field trip

 Ads class took their first field trip today up to 3 sisters for a day of hiking.  Being 36 weeks pregnant, it wasn't an ideal one to drive on, but I did anyway, knowing it meant a lot to A that I was there.  This is his adorable class as we were getting ready to head back to school after a long day.

 These two cuties found "perfect walking sticks", which I am pretty sure made them MUCH slower than if they had just walked along.  

Building

"Daddy, when can we build something?"

a couple randoms

Just posting a couple of old photos that'd almost been forgotten - Adler the morning of his preschool graduation and the boys and I in a self portrait we took to give to their mother for our 10th anniversary. 

Old friends

 Its been several years since our kids have seen each other (luckily the moms have caught up more recently!).  Mia and LT hung out a lot as babies and have always had similar demeanors.  Very quiet at first, yet they come out of their shell given the right opportunity.

 We finally had dinner together last night.  The older kids sat quietly next to their moms, listening, but not saying much.

The little ones almost instantly asked to sit next to each other and talked the entire dinner to each other before getting up to run around the restaurant (patio with no one on it!)

 But after dinner, everyone bonded and these pictures show just how much fun they had.

 I hope we can see more of these fun kids soon.

JDFR Walk

 LT and A have two good buddies with type 1 diabetes (in addition I have several friends with T1 as well as several friends with kids with T1).  Last weekend was the Denver chapters walk which we did with a big group.  Not only was it a fun morning, but our team (Team Awesome!) raised nearly $10,000!  

Moms night out

The four of us have been friends since our first borns were in utero.  All of our first kids were born within weeks of each other.  When they were all little we saw each other frequently, however with the busy lives of kids and families, we don't get together often anymore.  Last week however, we enjoyed a beautiful evening on the patio of Postinos overlooking downtown and enjoying yummy food, drinks and a relaxed evening.  I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my journey through motherhood and life.  

Final hardware

LT got the last of the hardware put into his mouth this week, 6 top braces.  He now has 8 braces, an expander, a retainer and two rubber bands.  What a trooper.

Birthday kid at soccer practice

A special 6th birthday

I can't believe this little guy turned 6 today!  We had a special breakfast and then headed off to school.  When I asked him what he wanted to do on his birthday, he said, "mommy, you can come have lunch with me, bring a treat to my class, bring a treat to soccer and then have dinner (make your own burritos)."  We are making all that happen.  

Thursdays are pizza day at their school so I went and joined them.  These two are just too cute. 

I stayed for recess and he showed me his favorite game, "gaga" outside and then swung on the hammock with two of his best buds.

He requested that I also come back and bring a treat for his class, which I was happy to do, but had no idea what an amazing and adorable tradition of  celebrating birthdays his new class has.  They start off by reading a birthday blessing to the child, then sing happy birthday, he got to choose a bracelet and lucky marble out of a jar, blow out a real candle and then choose 2 kids to pass out the treats.  Then, one by one, he calls each kid up and they look him in the eye and say Happy Birthday and give him either a high five or hug before getting their treat (popsicles).
After school, we all went to soccer (Brian took great pictures to be posted later) and had a little birthday celebration there as well.  I wrapped up the treats so parents could give them to the kids after dinner since soccer ends at 5:30 :)

The day was extra special because my uncle was in town and staying at my parents house.  Adler requested a make your own burrito night, and my mom so kindly made all kinds of yummy fixings for everyone.  Steve and Wes were able to join us too!  She ordered our family's favorite spring fling cake from the Market and we had that for dessert.

His actual birth day is over, but he still has his party this Sunday and a family celebration at White Fence Farm.  This kid knows how to make his birthday last!

Adventuring in Evergreen

 Labor day weekend didn't go as planned, but at least it ended on a good note!  We made fun plans with lots of fun friends, all of which we had to cancel due to a bad stomach virus that wiped three of us out.  We spent Saturday and most of Sunday in bed and sick.  Monday we all woke up feeling well and we made a last minute decision to head up to Evergreen to explore.  

 We rented a paddle boat first.

And then went on a little hike/walk around the lake before having a picnic lunch.  It was such a fun day and a great place to hang out on the last day of this weekend!

Soccer for #2

 A friend of mine who happens to have a son in Ads new class asked if he would want to play soccer.  As with everything, I try and encourage them to try new things, but ultimately let them choose.  A's response was "I don't like soccer, but I like meeting new people and playing with my friends so I'll do it!"  Typical response from that child.  

 The first practice was last week and he was quite hesitant to go, but we got him there.  Within a minute he was chasing the other kids around (no one except this one child he knew) and actively participated in the games they played.  About 30 minutes into practice, it started raining and he was quite upset that practice was over.

California Dreamin'

As usual, I'm a little late, but I wanted to put up some photos from our early summer adventure to southern California before summer was completely over. 

Despite the sharks and the occasional dead seal, the boys seemed to enjoy the sand and surf.