Lakeside Amusement Park

Dear Husband,

Monday was predicted to be the coolest day of the week with a high of only 82 degrees. Crissy and I decided to give the kids their first amusement park experience on that evening. I had checked out Lakeside on the 'net before our trip and decided it would be adequate. The reviews said it was a little rundown and ghetto but with a $2 admission and fifty cent kiddie rides, it sounded just right for our (too young to know any better) precious darlings. OMG, Amidala LOVED it!!! She was so brave and enthusiastic about every ride. See that empty green frog seat? That was where Calvin was supposed to go but he wasn't having it.



The next ride proved to be a little more Calvin's speed and he happily rang those little bells.



And boy was he excited to finally get into a boat he's been bugging us for.



The height requirement for some of the faster rides, including the kiddie Ferris wheel, was 36" but the bored teenage operators didn't usually enforce that.





The roller coaster was probably Ami's favorite and Calvin's biggest regret. She went again immediately afterwards, sans brother.



When this ride started to pick up speed, Ami protectively put her arm around him. Awwww, so cute!



I was worried Calvin was going to climb out of the helmet once they rose into the air. I kept shouting for him to sit down.



I figured he'd love the merry-go-round, but it was still difficult to get him aboard and he insisted on a stationary figure while Ami joyfully rode up and down next to me.





The scrambler was our last attraction and it was located in the adult section. This one required two tickets so I bought a few more so we could all ride. The operator was a little more observant of Calvin's height so he wasn't allowed on. My sister and I took turns with Ami instead. Don't worry, though. Calvin was content to just watch. I was amazed at how happy he was just spending time with his family and watching them have fun without needing to be in the action all the time.



Since we were in Denver proper, we couldn't resist a visit to Aunt Crissy's apartment. Notice the demon cat to the right in the photo (Cisero is really very sweet).



We arrived back at Nana and Pop-pop's at about 10:45pm and your little man was begging for his binky-lion. I swear he was out before I left the room.


And Ami is beggin' to go back to amusement park and that really fast roller coaster. Stay tuned to see if I give in and take her a second time.

Lazy Weekend

Dear Husband,

I miss you.

By the time the weekend came, the kids were pretty pink so I tried to keep them out of the sun as often (and was more diligent about sunscreen). Calvin would literally wake up asking to go to the park so I insisted on hats and T-shirts.

My mom took us on errands to grocery stores and her local Target to pick up an umbrella to shade the kiddos in the pool. She also splurged on little chairs for dining outside that tinyman took to right away.


So we just stuck close to our temporary home, enjoying playing in a new space. Ami invented a new game in the pool in which she climbs in her little boat and then jumps out. Amazing how little kids can play in ice cold water like that.






And of course she's settled into her routine of independent play, building unicorn houses and such.


The kids are really enjoying themselves here. We are comfortable and happy. Hope you're enjoying the unusual inactivity and getting plenty of rest.

Sunburn city

Dear Husband,

Wanting to satisfy Ami's desire to walk through a tree forest (and my desire to get some exercise), we planned a hike for Friday morning. But after sleeping in (again), waiting for Ping to get home from summer school (and give Ami hiking hair), packing lunches and the drive, it ended up being a little after noon when we arrived at the trail head. We ate some lunch and then got started.
There was a bit of an incline so it was pretty slow going. Plus your daughter had to stop at every rock, bug and flower. I walked patiently with her answering every question, and voicing my pride at her bravery and endurance.

Calvin spent most of the time on either mine or Ping's back.


When I felt my little girl had exhausted everyone's energy and patience, we turned around and headed back to the car.

"I'd rather be at a playground, mom."

I had plans with my sister Crissy that evening so I rushed to shower and catch the light rail as soon as we arrived back at Nana's; leaving our children in the care of my family. They had only napped for a short time in the car so they passed out a little after 7pm (the earliest since we've been in CO) while I got in a much anticipated visit with my favorite sis and her man.

Ahhh, we're here.

Dear Husband,

Thursday morning, your children were eager to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and a backyard! Too eager for their swimming suits, of course.


They were content to play in the sprinkler while Nana and Pop-pop set up the pool.


The house my parents bought last February is very comfortable and the kids loved exploring and going for cat-searching adventures with their aunts. Calvin was comfortable with Ping right away so I felt comfortable leaving them in their aunts' care that afternoon while my mom and I grocery shopped. (Yeah, and I put them both down for a nap beforehand)


After dinner, I gave into Calvin's park demands and we trekked down the street to Utah park.

Look, Dad! I'm big enough to reach the monkey bars! (But too sweaty to attempt to cross them.)





My fun lovin' mom.

After the crankiness set in, we headed for our temporary home and Ping watched Tangled with them while I chatted upstairs with my mom. Ami sleeps in a futon outside of the room I stay in with our tinyman. They both sleep in a lot later than they do in Washington and having so many more people to watch them in the morning is sweet. I love staying in bed until after 9am. The only thing that would be better is if you were in there with me.

And we're off...

Dear Husband,

Calvin was upset when you left for work Wednesday morning and realized you would not be getting on the airplane with us. He continued to be fussy most of the day. Not the best start to our daddy-less vacation. My doting papa arrived early to make sure he got his bible study in with Moo-bears and I finished up last minute preparations (all whilst tinyman hung on me and whined he wanted to stay home). He sniffled all the way to the airport and I was really starting to worry that I would have to carry him screaming onto the plane. As soon as we parked the van and Calvin had a clear view of an airplane, his mood completely changed. Convenient sometimes that two year olds are like that, eh? He now joined his sister in voicing his excitement when finally the idea became more tangilble. Three bags, two kids and one carseat became a little easier to lug to check in when I managed to clip my rolling matching set together, pile the carseat on top of that, and still have a hand free to clasp Calvin's. My dad's suitcase with it's no b.s. pop-up handle easily supported Ami while she road happily across the sky bridge and remained there all the way through the lengthy, child filled check in line.



We scored a family helper pass and my father accompanied me all the way to the gate. While I stood in line for boarding, he patiently remained with our children who were glued to the window, marveling at the real plane they were actually going to ride. He held their hands all the way to the ticket taker man and quickly said goodbye before we entered (gasp!) the tunnel to the plane! I made a big deal as we actually stepped onto the plane, just as you would've expected me to. And I captured their reaction from taxi-ing to take off. It's a little long and at a bad angle but I know as their loving, devoted daddy, you'll appreciate it. The time we spent in the air was uneventful thanks to the invention of portable DVD players and Diego.



There were no stinky diapers to change or little girls to try to squeeze into the bathrooms with. We were surrounded by other families with young children on a full flight. We landed 20minutes early and there was a little bit of panic when I (with no cell phone due to budget cuts) discovered there was no one to meet us, but you know all about that thanks to the kindness of strangers, and it all worked out.

Daddy's Day

Amy was thrilled to discover how to write "I love you" in shorthand.


So strong and handsome...

Play all day

In an attempt to use less gas, I vowed not to drive Monday or Tuesday and find alternative ways to entertain the kids (sans television, of course). We don't live in an area with many kid friendly places to walk to and major road construction makes traveling by foot with two young'uns more treacherous. But there is a playground in the more upscale apartment complex about 1/4 mile from us so we walked there twice on Monday.

Tuesday, Ami announced she didn't want to walk anywhere so we had a tea party on the deck,

made play dough cookies,

took a nap (there was a little Dora and Diego after),

built ultimate Bobcat stairs with Lego's,

and played tag in our limited green space.

Wednesday brought a shortage of milk and bread so we did drive to our favorite Fred Meyer where the kids spent a fun-filled hour in PlayLand while I shopped. I try to leave them there for the entire allowed hour and as I was browsing the books, I could hear my children's shrieks of laughter and joy from across the store. I noticed other people looking that directions so I quickly made my way to the check stand.
Today I took them to the paved Burnt Bridge Creek trail only about 2 miles down the road so Ami could practice riding her princess bike (a gift from Grammy). She asks to ride a lot but seems to forget how much work it is and wanted to give up almost immediately. However, I was firm and coaxed her into riding for about an hour while Calvin happily scooted along on his Radio Flyer tricycle (thanks, Cami!).
The apartment we're in now is decent and low rent, but as soon as Husband is officially registered for the Radiology program at Clark, we plan on moving closer to the college and many more parks.

Dragon Steps

An Amidala orginal. This one, she insists, is for Wakelee.


Yes, my darling daughter can write her name. Thank goodness for short monikers.