Sometimes all you need is a $100 hotel room......

to impress your kids and have a great 36-hour get-a-way. Over Labor Day, we wanted to take advantage of the 3-day weekend, but not spend a fortune or deal with the traffic of I-70. Our solution? A little trip to Manitou Springs just outside of Colorado Springs. We played tourist and took a ride on the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak, toured the Cave of the Winds, and walked around cute downtown Manitou Springs.  It was just what we needed. The boys thought this "was the best hotel ever" and enjoyed the pool, free breakfast, and staying up late to watch a movie in the hotel room topped off with popcorn mixed with M&M's.
Sometimes you just need to see the joy in your children's eyes to celebrate the little things and be reminded how truly wonderful life can be. And is.

Casa Bonita Survival Guide

Here are some tips for making the most out of your trip to Casa Bonita.
1) Go for lunch. There was no line and you'll get much better seats. We got great seats right next to the cliff divers and didn't have to fight crowds (the place sits 1000 people) for the pinata, puppet show, or arcade.
2) Get coupons at ValPak. We saved $11 by using coupons.
3) Everyone over age 2 must order a meal so come hungry. There's no getting in without paying for a meal.
4) Order a liter of Casaritas. Well, let's just say that the place is more fun for adults if you have a beverage.
5) If you are going to do the arcade, buy the tokens at the door and get an extra token bag for free (and then Mom and Dad can play too - see #6).
6) Embrace the cheesiness, explore the several different areas of the restaurant, and have fun playing skee ball, frogger, and some old school video games.
7) Truly enjoy the amazement in your children's eyes as they watch the daring cliff divers, the strolling musicians, and get to go to a restaurant where you don't have to sit down the entire time.
8) Be inspried by the decorations and book tickets to Vegas where you can truly be transported to another world!

Casa Bonita - Here We Come!

This week, our little guy passes his "blending" at school (this is the last stage of phonics before moving on to "books"). We have been building this up for weeks now and then T-man casually mentions the fact he passed blending at dinner on Wednesday night (quite different from his older brother's approach to such things).

Part of the build up and reward is a special dinner of your choosing. T-man was all set on Chuck E. Cheese, but his older brother had other ideas. And, the cliff divers won out over the oversized, slightly creepy mouse (I personally see this as a lose/lose situation). I am so proud of T-man and this milestone. He has been such a joy to be around and I am loving age 4.5 (soon to be 4.75). What a big boy now reading "books!"

So to Casa Bonita we go to celebrate a huge step on the reading super highway. And I bet you will never guess the last time I was at this "family entertainment destination" (as stated on the website)...... three years ago when D-man passed his blending. And now my baby gets to go. Sigh. So proud and yet, sad at the quick passage of time. Ole!

Beat the Heat

August was the hottest August on record in Colorado (our poor grass shows it). We made sure to take advantage of the last of our pool membership to beat the heat. The kids and our sitter were able to go to to the pool on D-man's first day of school and I was able to take the boys on Friday evening. Marshall joined us for our last night and happy hour at the pool. It was great to see the boys playing together in the water, seeing T-man so comfortable in the water, and enjoying an evening with when there were hardly any people at the pool.
T-man was also able to beat the heat last Friday during his end of the summer school picnic. The water feature at the park was quite a hit with the kids - especially with 90+ degree heat. We also enjoyed the playground and having Marshall join us.
On Saturday, we headed to the water park to cool off in yet another way. The water slides, lazy river, and pirate ship water area kept us all entertained and cool. Those hot days, while only a week ago, seem so far away with a chill in the air now, college football on TV, and school in full swing. Summer is over, but I can't think of a better way to wrap up the season and beat the heat than in the water.

End of the Year Picnic

Celebrating the end of summer fun. A day with my little guy. Water. Friends. Food. Fun. A day off from work. Yeah!

Go Rockies!

This past weekend, we attended an alumni event for my alma mater, Nebraska Wesleyan University. We enjoyed lunch and drinks and mingling with alumns before we headed to watch the Rockies take on the LA Dodgers. Marshall took the boys over to the ball park early so they could explore the stadium before the game. The also got their haired colored purple. It was a beautiful (long) day and the Rockies won after 13 innings (T-man and I left after nine innings). It was great to get to a game before summer is officially over. Nothing like a day at the ball park to keep that summer feeling alive. Go Rockies!

Anticipation

Today was D-man's first day of 2nd grade. While every other student was already in school, D-man got 3 days at home with working parents to wrap up his summer. It wasn't all bad.... He worked diligently to finish his summer packet, but also got in some wii, did some final school supply shopping, hit the driving range, went swimming, and got in some putt putt golf. Like most kids, he was filled with excitement and nervous for his first day.And in the morning, he was up and at 'em and ready for the big day. I wish every morning could be like the first day of school morning - efficient, exciting, and full of anticipation.

On the other hand, Marshall and I are full of anticipation for his first day of school for other reasons. Every year, we have had to fight to get D-man in the appropriate classes. We once again, start the school year anticipating the potential battles and are hopoing for the best. Awhile back, I read a quote that has stuck with me: "Every child deserves to learn something every day." I understand that my son might be out of the norm, but that doesn't mean his needs can be ignored. While he might already know the material, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be pushed more. Learn more. He loves learning and I want to ensure this love of leanring doesn't die on the vine while he's bored and unchallenged. When you talk to your son about his first day of school and the first thing out of his mouth is,"we didn't learn anything." I am only further pushed in my quest to make sure this isn't what he says every day.

The night before school started, I was was participating in a fantasy football draft. I was fortunate enough to sit by a teacher and she was kind enough to listen to the challenges we have with ensuring D-man is getting the education he deserves. While we have met with the school to ensure D-man's education needs are met, we are once again anticipating an uphill battle. And, thanks to the wonderful teacher at the fantasy football draft, she not only let me know that I'm not crazy to fight for this, but that it is my right. And, the school is obligated to provide the proper education for my child. So, I'm not antcipating an easy journey, but then again, nothing worth while usually is.  I only hope that I can do my best to help my son anticipate every day of school like it is the first.

Date Night

The day before school last year, I took the boys golfing. Of course, it was easier to do without a full time job. Today, I had the same aspirations. However, after two days of working from home with D-man at home, the plans didn't go as anticipated. The school ice cream social was earlier than I thought; D-man forgot his shoes; and the par 3 course was very busy because it was now evening. So here we are. At the driving range. Hitting balls into the water. Making the most of what we have. Moving to the putting green. Simple pleasures. Enjoying our date night.

Pirates of the Carribean

A Friday night outing. Intrigue. Excitement. Artifacts. Interactive. Boys. Pirates. Fun. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

Recently, I have started to call our youngest "Turtle T-man" because he has turtle goggles for swimming and has really taken to the water. And after the great swim lessons this year, he is indeed swimming. Given that last year, he never got out of the "infant" lessons all summer, this is such a huge step. I'm hopeful the screaming in the tub when I wash his hair will now subside. Check out our little turtle!


Turtle T-man! from Julia Peavy on Vimeo.

Hiking, Swimming, and Eating - Oh My!

On our way back from Eagle last weekend, we decided to take advantage of our state park pass and visit Sylvan Lake State Park. While the boys weren't particularly thrilled with the idea of a hike, they had a great time once we got there. We enjoyed lunch, the cooler weather, and throwing rocks in the water, and easy 1.25 mile hike around the lake. Unfortunately, our state park visit meant we were going to be stuck in summer traffic trying to get back into Denver on Sunday night. Instead of sitting in traffic, we decided to go swimming at the Silverthorne Recreation Center and then eat dinner before we headed back to Denver.  The pool was not crowded and D-man enjoyed the water slides while T-man has turned into a fish basically overnight.  The summer swimming lessons have defiitely paid off. And while we still had to sit in some traffic coming into to Denver, spending the time hiking and swimming with the boys was a wonderful way to wrap up our mini-vacation to the mountains.

Last day of Camp

Today is the last day of YMCA camp. While I had reservations and parts of the camp were not great (kids stealing lunches is not acceptable), D-man told me last night that he wants to go to camp next year because they go on two field trips a week. In the end, if he is happy, I'm happy. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

Vail Resort (aka the Smiley house)

I could get used to these three day weekends - especially when they are spent in the Vail Valley with great friends. Happy hour, swimming, and catching up made for a wonderful weekend. You know you have good friends when you can have a wonderful weekend and not really have done anything. It wasn't just the adults that had a nice time. From the "car" to walking the dogs and playing the Kinect, the boys enjoyed our mini-vacation as well. How lucky we are to be able to visit such a beautiful place and have wonderful friends to enjoy it with.

Historic Estes Park

A Friday off from work took the boys and me to Estes Park to hang out with the Karlen family. We walked around downtown Estes Park, spent time with family, and crashed a wedding. The boys also enjoyed a night visit to the hot tub with Pop. After surviving an interesting night at 1940's resort, we enjoyed a nice breakfast and the boys another trip to the hot tub. Although it was a just night, it is one that we will never forget.

Hotel de Peavy

The first week of August, we were lucky enough to host several family visitors. On Tuesday of that week, my parents were able to stay with us before heading to a family wedding in Estes Park. We had a wonderful dinner with fresh fish mom and dad caught in Alaska and the boys got to sleep in before school/camp on Wednesday. On Thursday, my younger sister and her adorable son stayed with us. We had a nice dinner on the patio and enjoyed having Jacki take part in our cherry and pits activity.
After a night in Estes Park for the wedding, we headed back to Denver and enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the patio with the Karlen clan. It was so great to enjoy time with family and host them here.
The following Monday, we enjoyed a wonderful evening with Marshall's brother Matthew and his girlfriend, Riina before they headed back to Brussels. Matt and Riina were great sports and played a mean game of baseball with the boys. After the boys went to bed, we enjoyed a patio dinner and a fire in the chiminea. Although the time was too short with all our family members, we were so happy to be able to host so many family members in just a week!

Freedom: By My Little Capitalist

While sorting through some school papers from last year, I ran across this piece on "freedom".

Here's what it says:

Freedom is special to me for 3 reasons:

First, we do not want to be poor.

Second, we want to vote.

Third, we want our money and not pay extra. 

Spoken like a true capitalist.

Loving Lakeside

Thanks to coupons from the library, we hit Lakeside Amusement Park on Monday night. After "happy hour," (as Tanner told me when I arrived) at McCormick's at the Oxford Hotel, we headed to the park. The park is celebrating 100 years this year.  And while it has seen better days, the boys had a great time and I enjoy imagining how the park looked in its hey day.

Hoops Hoopla

My cousin's daughter is quite the basketball player - and she's only going to be a sophomore in high school! We were fortunate to watch her play in Denver this weekend with her club team. It was great to see her play and spend some time with my cousins and their familiies.  D-man attended all the games with me on Sunday and enjoyed watching the Cornhusker Shooting Stars win their pool with 3 victories on Sunday. What a great way for them to wrap up the summer season. I can't wait to see what she does in the future!