Our Little Daredevil

Chandler has always been our risk-taker - the kid who will try anything.  We learned this early on, as she was climbing on anything and everything.  She has always been advanced in the gross motor department - walking independently up and down stairs by 18 months, mastering the monkey bars by 3 years old, and attempting her kartwheels daily.  Her drive to try new things doesn't surprise us anymore.  When she asked to get on real roller skates like the big kids - within minutes she was lapping kids, flailing her body all over the place.  When we headed out to take off Brooklynn's training wheels, Chandler was at it again, asking us to take hers off at the same time.  Two kids riding bikes.....yes please!  She picked it up immediately and within her first few attempts was off riding with ease.

Of course Steve made sure Brooklynn mastered the bike first.  Chandler doesn't always need to show up her big sis!  Here's her first big attempt:

This video is on constant play at our house when we need a good laugh.  She got up, got back on the bike, and went the other way - crashing into a tree next.  Guess we'll need to work on stopping next.

Chandler has been anticipating the soccer season, and we were really hoping she'd do better than last year when daddy had to hold her hand on the field.  Last weekend was the first game, and she got out there like a pro.  (That extra year seems to always help the kiddos).  She had one breakaway goal, and she was so proud.  We're looking forward to a great season with our little athlete.

I've concluded Chandler is just one of those kids who's good at everything she tries.  Maybe she's found her calling as an athlete..........

A Camping we will Go!

Years ago....before kiddos.....Steve and I enjoyed going to the mountains and camping for the weekend.  We attempted it once after Brooklynn was born, and it was a disaster.  Brooklynn was a year-and-a-half and constantly fell over the rocky terrain, and she was too scared to sleep in the tent, so we packed it up after a half-night's sleep and never looked back.

 

With the kids getting older I wanted to start camping again.  I knew 3 kids in a tent would ruin us all, so I have been nagging Steve for the last 2 years that I wanted to buy a pop-up camper.  I think he thought I lost my mind, but I assured him it'd be a great purchase and the kids would love it.  Plus, I would get to sleep in a bed rather than the hard ground on a tent.

 

We finally found some time to look for a camper and do a little research.  Luckily we found the perfect match on craigslist - a newer camper with the seller living close (and he was really nice, which always helps).  So we bought the camper with no hitch, no knowledge of campers, and 3 girls that were ecstatic to start using it immediately!

 

Our first camping weekend was over Father's Day.  The girls couldn't wait!  We spent the week before preparing - packing the camper, practicing towing, and cooking ahead.  We decided we'd drive outside Ft. Collins to the Poudre River.  We found a spot and started unloading right away. 

 

The first day we spent the afternoon at the playground (a nice amenity now) before cooking dinner and starting a fire.  The girls loved searching for the fire wood!

 

Is this stick good enough to roast marshmallows?

 Thankfully they were all scared of the fire, so we didn't have any close calls.

The next morning we woke up, had breakfast, and set out for our first family hike.  Adaley was packed away in the backpack, but the big girls were on their own.  They were awesome!  We did a 2-mile hike up a steep incline with amazing views of the Poudre.  We were shocked at how well they did!

We spent the afternoon, again, at the playground and hiking around the river.  When it was time to search for the sticks, we decided we'd cut our own fire wood.  Even Chandler got in on the action!

 Back at it roasting marshmallows!

As we looked around the campground there were mostly RVs - some houses on wheels.  We had a few neighbors we only saw a few times.  Only a few campfires!  We realized many families were staying in their campers, watching TV, relaxing in their A/C, eating at their tables.  It was sad to see.  Is this what camping has become?  The amenities of the camper are great to have with kids - a running sink, a table to play games on out of the intense sun, and a bed that is somewhat comfortable.  But the best part is being together and getting outside to enjoy beautiful Colorado.  It was the best time we've all had together in a long time - right up there with Disney World.

As soon as we got home we started planning the next trip, hoping to really get good use of the camper!

A Little R & R......or so we thought!

Steve had a work trip in D.C. a couple weeks ago, so we thought I'd join him for a few days for a little adult summer getaway.  It's no Mexico or Costa Rica, but it was nice to see the historical sites, since the last time I was there I was a hormone-crazy 8th grader. 

Steve stayed in a "business resort" area, which was nice and about 20 minutes outside of the city.  The first day we drove to the Smithsonian's American History museum, which was awesome!  Then we drove to Alexandria, which was just across the Potomac river from where we stayed.  It was such a cute town!

Alexandria square

Friday morning we checked out of the hotel and headed to Mount Vernon before driving to the city to stay for the next 2 nights.  Mount Vernon was so beautiful!

View of the Delaware and Potomac Rivers

Next we raced over to the Capitol for our tour.  Steve set-up our tour through our congressman, hoping we'd get a White House tour, but we were denied that one.  Hmmmm..........  We met at the congressman's office, but he was in Colorado since the House wasn't in session.  Of course, when I found out he was a Republican I wished I would've been able to meet him and give him a piece of my mind.  Haha.   One of his interns gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the office buildings and Capitol.  Definitely a great way to tour the Capitol!

 His office

 Yes we really are important!

We were able to go onto the balcony right above where the presidential inaugurations take place.  It is very rare to allow visitors up there, so we were stoked to see the view of the mall.

 That evening we took a night tour of the monuments.  It was an awesome tour and the memorials are just amazing!

Jefferson Memorial

 Washington Memorial

 Lincoln Memorial

 The next morning we woke up and walked to the White House. Then we headed to the National Archives, and Holocaust Museum.  We stayed in a really nice neighborhood north of downtown that was hosting the city's Gay Pride parade/festival, so we had a good time checking that out! 

There were 8th grade groups everywhere!  Now I know how everyone in D.C. felt when we toured the city.  It was a fantastic weekend of historical re-learning, lots of walking, and a good time being "Julie & Steve" rather than "mom and dad". 

Recital

I know....again....very behind.  The girls had another successful dance season.  Chandler was enrolled in the tap/ballet combo, while Brooklynn wanted to bust a move in the hip-hop class again.  They both did a great job week after week.  I think we may really have something going here!  Their hard work culminated with an outdoor recital in late May.

 

 

Day of pictures:



Their dress rehearsal was snowed out, so we were a little leery of the weather for the recital.  Sure enough, the clouds rolled in late afternoon, and after much lightning, tornado warnings, and rain, the clouds parted way just before the show began and they quickly put on the show.  It was cold!

The girls freezing outside waiting to go on stage

During the weeks leading up to the recital Chandler really stood out as the best dancer.  Ms. Kendra put her front and center from the beginning, and she took her role as leader very seriously.  I knew pretty quickly we should have enrolled her in the next level, but we wanted to let her have her time to shine.

 She was so good!

 You can see here all the girls following her

Brooklynn was, yet again, the youngest in her class, but she was definitely more comfortable this time around.  She did a great job, dancing her best routine for the recital.  Next time she wants to try lyrical jazz, which I think is perfect for her!

 Our sweet dancers

*I want to get the videos up soon, but that would required hooking up our camcorder port to our computer, which is on the floor in our living room.  So maybe someday..........

A Little Perseverance Goes a Long Way!

 

I am amazed at how much Brooklynn has changed and grown in the last year!  When she started kindergarten she was a timid, shy kid who was scared to try anything new.  We tried everything to get her to "push" herself outside her comfort zone using peer pressure, "little sis can do it" pressure, or even bribes (sad to say), but she was consistently against learning how to ride her bike, cross the monkey bars, or learning to read.  Boy, has that changed!  I am so proud of our little girl and how determined she's become. 

 

We really were concerned about it, because (especially as a teacher), we knew without the hard work and a struggle she wouldn't be as successful in school, sports, or everyday tasks and we were worried she may be teased for not knowing how to do the "kid stuff". 

 

One day we were at the park and she decided it was time to learn how to cross the monkey bars (even though Chandler's been doing them since she was 3).  She fell over and over but got up each time and tried again.  Even after her hands were whittled down to blisters, she persevered and crossed them!  Her sense of pride is amazing to watch each time she learns something new, whether it's reading a new book at a higher level or learning to pump her legs on the swing.

 

Her academic achievements have been extraordinary this year.  After our major hiccup (until December), she ended up jumping 5 reading levels, writing her own picture books (which she shared with her classmates),  awarded "Student of the Month", and made some really great friends along the way. 

 

I can't wait for what the future holds for this little brainiac and all the amazements we have in store!

 

1st Day of Kindergarten (I hardly recognize that little baby)

Brooklynn's school goes all out for field day!  They line up the huge grass area with jumpy slides, castles, games (ran by the 5th graders) and even face painting.  It was a fun day to volunteer and take the kids around and watch them have a great time!  Brooklynn absolutely loved it!

Getting to race through the jumpy castle with Makaylin

For the last day of school (in lieu of a kinder graduation) they had a Kinder BBQ.  It was a family affair and a fun way to celebrate these awesome kids.

 

Brooklynn with Mrs. Erwin

Someone can't wait for summer!

Some of Brooklynn's accomplishments this year:

I took her roller skating a few months back, and she would only try the skates with your own shoes that lock and hardly roll.  Basically you walk around the rink.  So when we went a few weeks ago we rented the same skates, but 5 minutes into the session she asked to exchange them for the real ones.  She was so determined to learn on her own and got up after each fall.

Crushing the monkey bars for the first time!

Completed a triathlon and actually was the 2nd place girl for her age.

She finished another hip hop dance session this spring and killed it!  She was, once again, the youngest one but didn't let that hold her back.  She practiced hard and nailed it at the recital

Next on our list:  Learn to swim independently and ride a two-wheel bike.  I'll keep everyone updated!



Easter.....so so long ago!

What can I say?  I'm so far behind, but I have a good excuse.  We've been finishing the basement and have been computer-less for the last month and a half.  So now that Steve hooked up the computer in our family room (uggghhh) I grabbed some pics to share.  I can't wait until our bedroom isn't piled with Christmas decorations and our living room with all our computer crap.  Like we needed more on our plate!

 

Anyway, I just love Easter time with the kids.  And of course they're always excited to decorate and hunt for eggs, get presents, and then wear their pretty dresses!  This year we celebrated Palm Sunday at Magra and Papa's the weekend before, but unfortunately it was a winter wonderland.  Then come next Sunday on Easter the weather is beautiful, sunny and warm.  That's Colorado for you.

 



 

Of course you have to eat the eggs when you're 2!  It's a great age to decorate and destroy the eggs.



 Our little artist working on the perfect egg

 Easter morning hunting for eggs

 Then it was off to Grandma Betsy's for Easter dinner with all the family - aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Here they are getting ready for the big hunt.  The stakes were high this year!

 Carlean and Kenz skaling the wall for an egg - this is serious business!