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.

Mother's Day Wrap Up

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While I of course missed my boys over Mother's Day weekend, I had a wonderful time with my sister and her family in California. I started the trip with a lovely evening with some girlfriends from Sun. Caching up, enjoying an amazing dinner on a beautiful night, and a visit by the cops made for a very memorable evening.

The stay with my sister and her family was so much fun. I got to spend a ton of baby time with my new nephew and make a trip to the coast and do some wine tasting as well. I wish I could have been more help, but I did watch the baby so the parents could play some golf and have lunch downtown. I also enjoyed casual time chatting and hanging out in the gazebo with my sister and her husband. Time with family is so precious to me.

When I returned home, Marshall had gone to the craft store with the boys over the weekend. A wonderful coffee mug and creative t-shirt greeted me on Monday. Unfortunately, the t-shirt is size small so most of you won't see me sporting it around any time
soon :)

The Magic of a Sewing Machine

We are so fortunate to have after-school enrichment opportunities at D-man's school. All year long he has been enjoying martial arts (he just got his orange belt!), yoga, and Mad Science. This quarter he has also been participating in a "production" where the children have been dancing, acting and writing their own screen play. D-man has been enjoying this a great deal and is excited to have the final production soon.
Of course, dress rehearsal was on Thursday and I sent D-man with his black pants and orange shirt. Because it was not the final costume, he was embarassed and attended dress rehearsal in his street clothes. Alas, more motherhood guilt. Thank goodness for a dear friend with a sewing machine. The sadness that was his costume is now a wonderful ensemble thanks to some $5 fabric (D-man's eyes lit up when I showed him the tiger fabric) and her sewing machine. For the small price of a sushi dinner, my friend and her sewing machine worked magic. Both boys were mesmerized by the machine and what my friend could do with it. Both boys pulled up stools on either side of my friend and the sewing machine. Not only did she craft an awesome costume for D-man, she fixed T-man's pillow pet's ear.
For all the things I am, I am not good at crafts. I'm not good at it and because of that, I don't particularly enjoy it. I've only sewn a couple of things in my life. And that was 30ish years ago in 4H (for anyone keeping tabs, it was a beach cover up, needle holder, and pin cushion). After seeing what a few stiches could do and the joy it brought to D-man's face, I might have to rethink how I can be more crafty. Maybe that button isn't so hard to sew on after all. Or maybe, this is just a chance for me to appreciate the sewing talent of my friend and how an old sewing machine can remind us how a simple machine can bring some joy into our lives. Then again, it often is the simple things that bring the most joy. This was just a wonderful reminder of that.

The Continents: The Bane of my Existence

This week, D-man brought home yet another map of the continents. For three plus years, he has known his continents. No teacher since his wonderful preschool teacher has pushed him to do more. At least he got "extra credit" for labeling some or the countries he knows (and yes, these are thanks to preschool too).

Maybe my expectations are too high, but I've heard that the goal of a school should be that each student learns something new everyday. Is that hard? You bet, but we owe it to the kids to make sure that school is appropriately challenging for each student.

Do his teachers know that he knows the continents? You bet. Let's brush up on other countries or the states (given it has been 2 years since preschool he has certainly forgot some of these by now). Or how about extra work on discovering some interesting facts about these continents? Anything that is more than repetitive and mind numbing. D-man still thirsts for knowledge. I just worry that more and more of boring, unchallenging work will lead to a loss of this appetite. And truly, just being ok with mediocrity is not good for the future for our kids. Indeed, I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen for my children. Starting with the continents.

Happy Hour

Sunny day. On the porch. Friday afternoon happy hour. Sharing a "beverage" with my boys. Perfect. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

Mother's Day Gift

A great morning greeted by my two boys. Here's the Mother's Day gift from my youngest which he had hidden in his room. What a wonderful way to start my day. Hugs and excitement about me being back home. Nothing like a four year old saying, "I missed you." That is the best gift. Sent from my BlackBerry. Please forgive any typos.

A Mother's Guilt

Yesterday, I flew from Denver to San Francisco to see my sister and spend some time with her family (and my new nephew). It will be the second Mother's Day away from my kids (that means I've missed 40% of my youngest's Mother's Days). In 2008, my kids were too young to know. That's not the case this time. My eldest cried and proceeded to go through every weekend of the year to try and figure out why my trip had to be THIS weekend. I tried to say that we should treat every day like Mother's Day, but he wasn't buying it. This is a "pacific" day for us to be together. And with that, the "Mom guilt" kicks in.

I once had a friend tell me that she wished someone would have warned her about "Mom guilt." I couldn't agree more. Who knew I would feel guilty for not buying the right baby food. Feeling guilty for doing dishes instead of playing with my kids. Guilt for not volunteering more, for dragging kids all over town to run errands, etc., etc. And, yet I need to give myself a break. The kids are well-adjusted (so far) and our house is a pretty happy place. Most days I find myself thankful for the wonderful life and family I have. I come home happy and looking forward to spending the evening together and sharing the stories of our days with each other.

So even though the "Mom guilt" still lurks here and there (and will be around a bit this weekend now thanks to my eldest), I know the boys will have a great time with Marshall. And when I return, the boys and I will appreciate each other a bit more. While I love my children beyond words, as Claire on Modern Family stated last night, "sometimes they drive you nuts." And a little time away (even if it is Mother's Day) is good for everyone.

Pretending Spring is Here

We spent this weekend pretending that spring has actually arrived. Considering today is May 1st, we shouldn't have to try this hard. The boys played outside on Saturday and D-man went to the zoo with a friend - luckily there was no rain as was predicted. On Sunday, we decided to head down to the Roxborough State Park south of Denver to go on a hike. The good thing about setting out on a hike when it is 39 degrees, you pretty much have the park to yourself. We went on an easy 1.4 mile hike and the boys were great. We saw two deer, some birds, and just enjoyed the time outside (even if it was a bit chilly). As we continued to try and will Spring to Denver, we BBQed brats, corn on the cob (roll corn as T-man would say), and potatoes. Sooner or later, we'll win and the nice weather will be here.