Urban Camping

We've been camping as a family one time. I was pregnant with T-man and sleeping on an air mattress with D-man and Marshall.  Needless to say, it was a rough night of sleeping in 32 degree weather. After that trip, I requested a bigger tent. And my dear husband purchased a bigger tent. Unfortunately, we have never used the bigger tent (and man, it is a big tent). That was, until Friday night.
After the boys and I had happy hour on Friday night at the pool, they were treated to a night of camping in the backyard with Dad - s'mores and all. Besides the bug bites and being tired, the outing was a great success. And for the first time in 7 years, I had the house to myself and the boys got to have a special night with Dad.

The Show Must Go On (aka a Mom's Heart Breaks)

This summer, our eldest has been surviving the world of camps. Quite purposefully, I registered him in the YMCA day camps by our house for most weeks this summer. I was hoping that the familiarity of the camps - same counselors, same location, same kids, and same routine would help make going to camp easier. And, thankfully it has helped (so has having the neighbor boy going to the same camp). While there are things I don't like about the camp (lots of kids and chaos), they go on field trips two days a week and he also has swimming lessons two days a week which has been nice. 

After his fun experience during his after school enrichment production, we have talked about going to a theatre camp this summer. Unfortunately, booking camps late in the summer limits one's choices. I was fortunate to find a theatre camp for 7-12 year olds at a church near T-man's school that had a week called "Summer with Seuss."  A week away from the YMCA doing something different would be perfect I thought. This morning went well and D-man was very excited about camp. Unfortunately, that was the end of the excitement.  When I come home from work, D-man started telling me about his day and crying. He told me how he was freezing all day because he was so nervous. How he didn't get a good part in the show and how he didn't make any friends and ate lunch alone. My heart broke. I felt so badly for him and also that I let him down. I didn't prepare him for what might happen (not that I really had any idea), but I could have done a better job as a Mom preparing (protecting) my son. I know this will be one of the many times that my heart aches for my child and I'm sure it never gets easier. You want your child to do well, succeed, and love life. Unfortunately, today was not one of those days for D-man.

I have commented to Marshall frequently this summer that I am so proud of D-man and how he has tackled all of these new situations. I never, ever would have liked a camp full of big kids like the YMCA - let along play 4 square with them. D-man carefully watched and learned the rules and dove righ in. Tonight I reiterated how proud I was of him auditioning in front of so many kids and trying new things. I told him that it is hard for me to meet new people too and that even at work, I get nervous when I have to do something new. In the end, that's all I can do. Be there for him, provide a strong foundation and help him grow.

This may not be the best week of his summer, but no one ever grows by doing the same thing over and over. By the end of the night, he was excited for pajama day at camp tomorrow and we practiced the script/songs (it is also heartbreaking to me that he can't sing, but that is another blog post). And so, the show will go on. Here's hoping it goes on with friends to laugh with, sing with, and eat lunch with as well.

The Power of a Book

Yesterday, D-man picked up a couple new books at the local library. While they are probably a bit too easy for him, he ripped through them both and wanted to start on the next one in the series. Unfortunately, our local library is not open on Sundays. Luckily, the Central Library had a copy of the book and we decided to head downtown to get it. We zipped downtown and talked about the Performing Arts Center (where we are going to see The Lion King), the Denver Art Museum (where we saw King Tut), the City and County Building, and the State Capitol. We saw firetrucks coming out of the station and huge cranes working on the history museum. In just a short time, we saw quite a bit. On the drive, D-man commented how cool it all was.

Not only was this D-man's first trip to the Central Library, it was mine as well. I can't think of a better reason for my first visit - to get a book for my son because he just couldn't wait. D-man was in awe at the library and we enjoyed taking it all in - from the automated book return to the giant children's section to all the floors. I don't think he'll ever look at our local library branch the same. I'm guessing we will be visiting the downtown branch sooner than later - I'm already looking forward to our next mini-adventure.

Pits and Cherries

Every week night (except take-out Friday, of course), we eat dinner as a family. For some time now, we have asked the boys about the best part of their day. Sometimes, they would tell us. Sometimes, they wouldn't. Last week, I read an article that suggested doing "Pits and Cherries." This allows everyone to talk about the best and worst parts of their day. We started "pits and cherries" this week and the boys have been so eager to participate. The dinner discussions have been more interesting, longer, and the boys are actively participating.T-man's pits are pretty cute and the boys often have several cherries (which makes me very happy).

In the past, I often mentioned dinner with the family as the best part of my day. With the pits and cherries, I have said this again. D-man points out (correctly) that I "always" say dinner is the best part of my day. Apparently, in order to keep pits and cherries interesting, I'm going to have to find some new cherries. However, I'll be hard pressed to find a better cherry than spending quality time with my boys and their Dad.

Second Verse, Same as the First

Another vacation to Lake Coeur d'Alene is in the books. And, once again, we had a wonderful trip! This year I found myself finding comfort in the familiar, but finding new joy in how the experience changes as the boys mature and grow. No more naps to work around. Less fear about injuries around the water (as long as life jackets are on). More independence for the boys. Wonderful playtime together. Everyone sleeping in! More time for adults to chat and read.  Time for Gramma and Granddad to see the unique personalities of the boys. I found myself taking mental pictures of the boys running down the dock. And picturing how this same act will play itself out in the future. And looking forward to more memories at the lake.

And while there are so many familiar things - boat rides, tubing, ice cream in Harrison, bike ride on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, fire pit with s'mores, Hernando's Hideaway, games, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boating - there were new things this year as well. The highlight this year was meeting our new niece and cousin! Time on the boat and dock with Jim and Michelle (and their daughter) was so special for us all. A date night for Marshall and me in Coeur d'Alene enjoying a walk along the boardwalk and bringing home cupcakes for dessert. Reading an entire book (or two if you are D-man). A fun new dessert - cake in a cup. BB shooting off the deck.

Although many of my pictures are the same year after year, they have new meaning. It's the second verse, same as the first, but more in tune and better every year.

HAPPY!

HAPPY - that is what this image makes me.

Not only that, it clearly demonstrates the personality of my two boys. Happy Friday all!

Has it really been......

20 years? I'm guessing those words are uttered frequently at any 20 year reunion. While it is hard to believe it has been 20 years since I graduated from high school, it is not hard to go back in time to specific moments in high school. Some memories are good. Some are not so good. And most are somewhere in between.  Getting together with friends "that knew you when" is always a trip down memory lane. And, this reunion was also a time of reflection for me.  A reunion really is a clash of two worlds: the world that "was" when you were young and naive and a world that "is" and full of life experiences and change and has made you who you are today. So many folks (ok, not really that many as the graduating class was only 28) and so many different paths.But a common bond of high school graduation (and for most, a bond of elementary and junior and senior high school).
It was great looking at old photos and triggering memories of so many different experiences - Did I really where a powder blue prom dress? Why did I ever play the clarinet? Who doesn't hang out at the racquetball court on Friday nights? Can boys' basketball shorts be any shorter and girls' shirts be any bigger? I also enjoyed catching up with people. I'm sure there have been bumps and the road not always easy, but it is comforting to know that while the paths have been different, the life experiences and changes have left most people doing well after 20 years. I know the 20 years since high school have opened my mind, filled my soul, and provided me with a full life. I can only hope I will feel the same the next time a reunion rolls around and these two worlds collide.

Happy 4th of July

From the lake! Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

Highs and Lows of Traveling

Whenever you travel (and we travel a lot in the Peavy family), there are highs and lows. From the craziness of travel preparation (a low) to seeing all your family members (a high), and everything in between. Our latest week-long trip to Nebraska was full of many great memories. Here are a few of the highs and lows of the trip.

High: Golfing with Dad for Couple's League
Low: Not golfing with Mom or the boys (but the boys and Mom did get out for a few holes with Marshall and had a great time)!

High: Being under-dressed in Nebraska in June.
Low: Being under-dressed in Nebraska in June.

High: Re-connecting with old classmates for my 20 year high school reunion.
Low: Getting pink eye a few days before the event.

High: Watching my boys play with their older cousins and care for their younger cousins. Watching a "show" put on by the kids.
Low: Only having this happen a couple times a year.

High: Taking the kids to the pool in the rain.
Low: Not getting in the water myself.

High: Working part-time from Pender so I was able to keep up on my work.
Low: Working part-time from Pender as I wasn't able to spend as much time with the boys and my family.

High: Seeing the joy on the boys' faces when they got a "big" Nerds candy and a full-sized 3 Musketeers.
Low: Making this pit stop less than an hour after our last stop.

High: Wrapping up the trip laughing and chatting with my sisters and mom without any kid interruptions.
Low: Not getting to do more of this.
 
High: Having the entire family together.
Low: For only one night.

Friday Night Beer Garden

Alumni Banquet

Sno-cones in the park with cousins!

da boyz

with Baby D!

Special week at Nana and Pop's

Fruits of our Labor

I don't have a green thumb. As much as I try, my garden never turns out well. I've tried in the ground, in pots, in the sun, in the shade. It doesn't matter. A few years ago, I planted a strawberry plant. The first year, it had a small handful of strawberries (which were unfortunately, destroyed by a hailstorm). Over the past couple of years, that strawberry plant has multiplied and is actually growing and thriving in our garden. Last night we picked the first fruits of the crop. Finally some sweet, sweet fruits of our garden labor.

Father's Day

Apparently, we don't like to be together as a family on days like Mother's and Father's Day. D-man was once again distraught that we weren't going to be with Marshall all day on Father's Day. Like him, I would have rather been together as a family than taking a 9 hour drive with two young boys across Nebraska. However, driving across Nebraska did mean that I was able to spend a few hours of Father's Day with my Dad which is even more special now than it was a few years ago.
We were able to celebrate what a great Dad Marshall is with a night out at Red Robin on Friday night and trip to the zoo with friends on Saturday before we left on Sunday. T-man also was able to celebrate with Marshall at the Dad's breakfast at his school - always a special event for the kids. And between the peppering of gifts throughout the week - beer can chicken holder, pepper shaker, laptop backpack, t-shirts, and travel mug, we made sure to let Marshall know what a great Dad he truly is. Maybe, just maybe, we'll get in that camping trip we always talk about for Father's Day later this year......

Uncle Traveling Matt

Earlier this month, we were fortunate to have Marshall's brother, Matthew, come stay with us for a couple days on route to Laramie from Brussels. We always enjoy his visits - the good food, time on the patio, and great conversation. While telling some co-workers about Matt's pending visit, I was introduced to "Uncle Traveling Matt" - and of course this name could not fit Marshall's brother any better. Personally, I am loving this new nickname and will soon reserve Fraggle Rock from the library for the boys.
The boys got to use their new placemats from Uncle Traveling Matt for dinner on the patio and enjoyed playing some baseball as well. While the visit too short, we were so happy to be a pitstop on one of Uncle Traveling Matt's many adventures!

It's a Beautiful Day for a Hike

This Saturday morning, the boys and I headed down to Castlewood Canyon State Park to meet my friend Jenn and her family for a wonderful hike. Jenn and I went to DU graduate school together. We hadn't seen each other for almost eight years and now in eight months, we have seen each other twice (this weekend and when we were in San Diego in October). Although we only got to catch up for a couple of hours, it is always great to catch up in person with old friends - years melt away in minutes. Although I love Denver, it makes me sad to think about all of the friends we have had that have left Denver. Jenn is just one of many these friends.
The hike proved to be the perfect way to catch up and have the kids be entertained too. T-man was a bit challenging between the wining and falling down, but he had a good time. As per usual, the boys didn't want to get out of the house, but once we did, it was great. And we got to see a rattlesnake, a lizard, and play around the stream. All that and catching up with an old friend. I'd say that is a pretty good way to kick off the weekend.

Lazy Like a Fox

This morning, the boys and I were greeted by a mama fox in the backyard. Soon she was joined by 2 kits that were jumping, rolling around, and playing with a pine cone. While the young foxes eventually noticed us viewing them from the window and ran off, the mama fox just continued to relax and try to sleep. I couldn't help thinking how similar the mama fox and the two kits were to me and my two boys. Like the kits, my boys like running, jumping,and teasing each other and their Mom.  I couldn't help but sympathize with the mama fox - sometimes you just want to have a break and nap. Of course, since was only 7:30 in the morning, there was no nap in my future. Instead, I headed out with my wonderful, rambunctious boys to start the day. Thanks to you fox family for kicking off our day.

And Summer......

Has begun! Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

Last Day of 1st Grade

I'm sure I'll be saying this for years to come, but I can't believe we finished another year of school. When I look back at the 1st day of school picture and compare it to the last day of school picture, there just seems to be a "big kid" attitude with the end of the year picture. No longer do I have a little boy going to school, I've got a second grader on my hands. In a year, D-man has grown is so many ways - physically, socially, and academically. He's now a "Super Citizen," he's lost a tooth (finally!), and is ready for 4th grade math and literacy. And he's taller, bigger, and more mature. And yet, he is still a sweet boy that wants to help out and hugs his friends when he says goodbye. It really is crazy how you work so hard to get them to grow up and be independent and yet you wonder when they will no longer want to be tucked in at night or hug you goodbye. I'm sure those days are closer than I would like, but until then I'll treasure every minute of the "little boy" I have left and still work to raise a wonderful and caring young boy.

A Birthday at McConaughy

Almost every year, my birthday falls on the weekend of Memorial Day. I feel fortunate to almost always have a 3-day weekend to celebrate my birthday. And while the weather was not great for my birthday, it was certainly sweet to be spending it with family In Nebraska at Lake McConaughy. My parents brought the motor home and the boat to spend the weekend at the lake. Unfortunately, much of the time was spent in pants and sweatshirts. Yet, it was so great to be hanging out by the lake with family - s'mores, fishing, relaxing, grilling, firepits, etc. The weekend was made extra special by a day with my sister and her family. The boys had a GREAT time with their cousins - playground, "sand" toys, lawn games, and just being together.
On Monday, the weather apparently agreed with us and we got the boat out on the lake. From windy and 50 degrees on Sunday to sunny and hot on Monday, it was the perfect day to be on the lake. The boys got to do some more fishing (albeit unsuccessfully) and we all just enjoyed the ability to be out on the water. It finally made it seem as if summer had arrived. We got home later than anticipated, but it was a great trip and a special birthday because I was with family. What a great gift.

Gramma and Granddad Visit

Doesn't the phrase go "the lazy days of summer?" Well, although summer doesn't officially start for a couple of weeks, it definitely is NOT the lazy days at the Peavy household. Between a work trip to Florida, Gramma and Granddad visiting, a trip to Lake McConaughy, and the end of the school year, it has been busy here at our house. We all enjoyed some time with Gramma and Granddad when they came to visit. Good meals, time spent together, and getting the yard in shape were activities that kept us busy. We also made a trip to see Marshall's cousin and go to the graduation party of my cousin's daughter. It was great to see some family and take a day trip together. D-man, Marshall, and Granddad also enjoyed a bike ride over the weekend as well.

Another special event while Gramma and Granddad visited, was D-man's play production. D--man really enjoyed this after school enrichment program and worked very hard to prepare for his role. It was great to have some extra audience members there to enjoy the show and cheer him on!  D-man's costume was great and we were so proud of him and his hard work. What a great way to wrap up Gramma and Granddad's trip.

Skating with your Best Friend

A great way to kick off the summer. Old school skating. Ah - the memories. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.