April Fools

April 1 made 11 years since our wedding.  April 5 made 15 years together. That's most of our adult lives, people. Celebrating and dating can be challenging when you have kids, don't employ a nanny, and don't live anywhere near family. The trick is to make little things go a long way. 

I painted these letters for Jon for this last very tight-budget Christmas (which, frankly, most of them have been) as an affirmation: we're still saying yes to each other and to life.

April the 4th brought an absurd amount of snow (given the date) as well as my first snow day! I absolutely did not see that one coming. But I needed a rest. We even got one more sledding session in, and the dog got one more frolic in the snow. Koopa finds snow so thrilling; it's a joy to watch. 

Jon had just built this garden the day before. Fortunately, he had the sense to hold off on planting!

We got our one more snow! Better late than never.

Unless it had been May or June, then it's really better never. 

The snow was gone by the end of a very sunny Wednesday. 

Saturday, April 8 was a gift. Two ladies from church (mother and daughter) spent the day with the kids so Jon and I could have a day to ourselves. We needed it badly! We've maybe had three or four evenings to ourselves since we moved out here, but no days. There was not a detailed plan; we basically turned our car northwest, toward the mountains, and started driving.

First stop: Cañon City, and a short hike on Skyline Drive.

While on the hike, we saw real live dinosaur footprints! Check them out:

These were supposedly dinos similar to triceratops going for a stroll in some mud. Maybe heading for the Great Valley?

Also, this used to be oceanfront property, apparently. There isn't much obvious memory of this in the landscape, though.

We followed the Arkansas River, next. Once I caught a glimpse of the snow-covered Sangre de Cristos towering over the drier brown mountains in the foreground, I felt I needed to get to them. 

It was so exciting to be able to be impulsive together! We had missed this. 

Well after a lot of tantalizing glimpses and then hills that would rear up and block our view, we finally got to those white tops. It was worth it! The landscape thrills one just to look at it. 

We ate lunch at a cute Mexican restaurant in Salida...

...and walked by the river. This was one of the rare anniversary celebrations in which I was not cold!! 

Salida is an extremely cute town. We hope to bring the kids this summer. But what a joy to be able to explore it, just the two of us. We can make these little experiences go a very long way.

On the way back east: a Bighorn Sheep sighting!

The views were stunning. Pictures do not do them justice. You'll just have to come see us, reader!
 

The last stop we made before returning to Pueblo at dinner time was to the Dakota Hot Springs in Penrose! I MUST return to those place. I've already come to depend on magnesium soaks for their therapeutic calming effects. We felt so calm and mellow after an hour in that pool; I swear the effects lasted for days. But we couldn't take even one picture; cameras are not allowed in the spring because.... it was a clothing optional day!

Yes there were nudies, no we were not among them, no it didn't bother us at all. We just got a really delicious soak. I could really stand to be back there just now.

God bless Colorado. 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

Love and Roller Skates

This year marks the longest we've gone without visiting Rochester (or Maryland, for that matter), and the only other time since we were married that we missed these trips over the holidays was the year Adele was born. It's not been easy, especially since Leah and Matthew welcomed Mariel in December and I wasn't able to meet her. To our great joy, Leah and Matthew and the kids were all able to come out our way! Of course, officially they were visiting Leah's mom and brother in Denver, but they were awesome and adventurous enough to drive down to Pueblo to see our new home. You can imagine how thrilled we were at this event! 

We went up to Denver first to see them and to enjoy Joel & Bri's hospitality (& amazing fish tacos!!). And I got to hold my precious new niece, at last.

What joy.

I really need to insist on more pictures with everyone in them!

Leah decided that, given the unseasonably cold weather we were having, what she really wanted to do in Pueblo more than anything else was go roller-skating at our rink. Apparently, tragically, Rochester now has a shortage of affordable roller rinks? Anyway, I thoroughly approved of her choice. We agreed that though we often differ in our tastes and preferences, about the important stuff, like roller skating, we are totally in tune. 

We helped the kids for a bit, and then got the little ones the roller walkers and let them figure it out. 

 

I adore a good roller rink. There is nothing like cheesy music and lights while you whiz around the smooth floor; I feel like a kid again there. In a good way. 
 

Adele's second time saw an enormous improvement!

Leah & I got some quality time in. I needed this day! I don't realize how lonely I often am until I get company.
 

Back home, we got more time for Mariel adoring before they had to head back to Denver.
 

She loved the new book we gave her! Mariel has excellent taste and is clearly very intelligent.
 

The older kiddos played a jolly round of Mario Party. It's so fantastic to live in a house where there's room for guests. I still can't believe I get to live here.

A quick frolic outside and they were off, leaving us really looking forward to our summer visit.

This team goes way back:

So does this one.

2 Ls forever!!
 

They left something behind, a generous loan from Amma (my aunt, Leah's mom). We're having such fun with this! 

I'm grateful to be so refreshed as I go back to daily subbing. But summer's starting to seem both very close and very  attractive...
 

Spring Break Adventures

It's now two weeks behind us, but we did have a jolly and relaxing time over spring break. I took the kids to the big downtown library on Monday, just in time for Bilingual Story Hour! Afterward we lingered in the little garden outside and I just had a moment of gratitude for the Colorado sunshine.
 

Monday night was free cone day at the Dairy Queen! We haven't really been indulging much the past few months, so I was quite pleased for a free outing. These occasions keep spirits up, even if they're rare.

Speaking of free morale boosters, I discovered a park next to the "lake" on the south side of town. Koopa may have enjoyed our Tuesday visit there most of all of us! 
 

Thursday was our big indulgence: a trip to the Denver Art Museum! Primarily, we were there to see the big Star Wars costume exhibit that's been touring the country. I'm not even a huge Star Wars devotee but I got a kick out of learning about the origins of the costuming and the decision making behind each one.

The kids found an ewok!

Look who I found! My fave:

And C3PO, my other fave. I think I remember him most fondly from his short stint on Sesame Street.

This museum is fabulous for humans who have children! There is far more interactive stuff for little hands than in your basic art gallery. Each kid can even borrow a little backpack full of activities that go with one exhibit or another. I thoroughly approve of this place.
 

A whole room was devoted to interactive Japanese art!

Statue of "Mother Earth" by native artist Roxanne Swenzell

 

We had a joyful day in Denver and a really enjoyable week off. It was a bit of a struggle to enjoy it at first, since when I don't work, I don't get paid, and all three of the districts and schools for whom I sub were off school. But I quickly got used to sleeping in and getting all the little projects done that I've been putting off for so long. The house is much cleaner, for one thing.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Sweet Rewards

Spring is well underway in Pueblo! My condolences for those of you not experiencing it yet. My spirits are lifting as the weather (prematurely) warms.

My sainted babysitter took Adele to the public library downtown for the Beauty and the Beast themed tea party they held. Have I sung her praises recently?
 

Adele was enchanted! But alas, she was too scared to approach Belle herself.

These two continue to be partners in everything. 

Our behavior chart has been quite effective and the kids have not only been motivated to behave well, but to help out around the house! All for points which are rewarded every couple of weeks by a possible trip to McDonalds for ice cream and play. They earned this trip after a day spent cleaning their room and doing other chores to get to 100 points. I am not above bribery!

 

 Miles has been growing into greater exercise stamina. So Jon's been rewarding him with father-son bike rides across town. They've done 11.5 miles on their longest ride!

Jon got some nice shots of the Arkansas River.

 

I praised Adele's babysitter on Facebook with the following post: 

 

"Adele with her leprechaun trap, a preschool homework assignment that blessed Alisha was able to help her make (crafting with the kids being just more than I'm capable of right now). Been gratitude journaling for Lent and today I am grateful for Alisha and Justin, the couple who care for Adele while Jon and I are working. 

Justin takes Adele to and from her preschool every day. She gets yummy home cooked food at their home, and the creative activities that Alisha plans (board games, crafts, baking, role playing, reading and math) keep her engaged, growing, and happy. Alisha and I are partners in encouraging good behavior and supporting her potty training journey (and it's a long, long journey...). And I know while she's there, with her friends, A & J's four year old and the dog, she is being loved and nurtured. I'm so grateful to have found them!"

They really are a godsend.

 
 

Next up: a few spring break adventures!