Sunshine Fun

Just a couple of cute pix from a fun day outside, catching bugs!

Energy!

We had an active week last week, checking out new things like the Denver Art Museum and doing some of our usual faves - mom's exercise followed by kid's play and time trying to burn energy in the nice weather. This kid is impossible to wear out! Have I mentioned that he has a lot of energy and totally exhausts me on a daily basis? Pete was on a snowboarding trip for 4 days, but we kept busy with help from friends and even got a girl's night out - the only problem being that Evan hasn't stopped asking for our babysitter since she was here.

My mom is in town right now, so we've been having a fun week in the warm temps & gorgeous sunshine. She agrees - it's not just that I'm tired and pregnant, Evan is challenging to keep up with!

Here's a clip from an excursion last week, playing on this cool "bubble" installation at the DAM:

Perfect Weekend

It doesn't get much better than a long weekend that includes yoga, snowshoeing AND hiking! Oh, and a whole afternoon of girly pampering at the spa :) We spent a fun Valentine's Day at the Aquarium and having lunch out, then feasting on crab legs & chocolate fondue for dinner. Evan is much happier when there's other people than just me to play with, his energy is endless and he wants constant interaction - otherwise he gets pretty destructive, kind of like a new puppy. Parents of toddler boys can probably relate...I know that there are a whole different set of challenges with girls, but his "boy-ness" is so pronounced and difficult to deal with lately.

It was really great to get Natalie out and show her the best of a Colorado weekend - showshoe one day, and hike in 60 degree weather the next! We took her out on our neighborhood trails, which she had attempted to hike on when we were gone a few weeks ago, but didn't get very far. We had neglected to tell her about the slightly scary mountain lion warning signs (oops!), and decided a lion was not something she wanted to face alone.

I love this photo, Evan's expression just says, "Holy sh*t, did you see the size of that tiger?!" (and yes, it's totally bizarre that there are tigers at the aquarium). And I couldn't resist this "What Not to Wear" photo - seriously. There is just not much to say about that get-up:

And here's a couple from snowshoeing - the pregnant belly & layers of clothes don't make for a very flattering picture, oh well!:

Laying Low

My very good friend, Natalie, moved to town a couple of weeks ago and will be staying with us during her transition. Evan loves having the extra playmate in the house, if we could only keep him from tormenting her poor little dog... I love having her here, too - it's been so long since we've lived in the same city and been able to spend this much time together, and it's extra fun for those MSU basketball games!

Last week was my birthday, and although I don't get as excited to celebrate it as I used to, I had a great time. A few of my wonderful girlfriends and I went out to my new favorite restaurant in Denver and enjoyed one of the best meals I've ever had - what a treat to have a night out with such great food & friends! I was sick on my actual birthday, but Pete was kind enough to stay home so I could rest up and we still went out to dinner at "the club" for seafood night. The best was having Evan say "Happy Birthday, Mommy!" - and even wrapping up "gifts" for me in his menu (spoons, forks...) and presenting them to me.

We're not sure where he got it, but Evan's response to everything that we tell him "no" to lately is, "I don't get to (insert want) EVER!". Funny, but not exactly charming. The other day at the grocery store it was, "I don't get balloons EVER!". This age is constantly challenging and hilarious, as the kids learn so much every day. Just when I think I have the most difficult child on the planet, or I'm going to lose my mind, I'll have a grounding conversation with a friend who just reminds me that ALL of our kids are going through the same things right now and I'm not alone. They all have their days, they all have their specific challenges, and they all have so many wonderful wonderful things to love.

Winter Park

We had a very fun (and exhausting) getaway to the mountains with friends this weekend. It's really great for the kids to play 24/7, although I think it's challenging for them...or at least for Evan...to have to share & have that much stimulation all day! He didn't sleep much, which means that we didn't sleep much - but that's ok, he's never been what I'd call an "easy" traveler, and we still manage to do it often. It's great for us parents to have so many people to keep an eye on the roaming toddlers, and to be able to hang out together in the evenings after the kiddies go to bed. We got out for some snowshoeing and sledding in the beautiful sunshine, and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the Frasier valley from the house. Evan was obsessed with the air hockey table, we could barely tear him away from the thing! Our group has been really good about doing these weekends every few months, and we always look forward to it. The girls & kids spend a lot of time together on a weekly basis, but it's great to get the husbands in on the fun, and to hang out as families.