Countdown to Eco-week

It is a tradition in our school district to attend eco-week as a 5th grader (well 6th grader until they did "the big middle school changeover") and we are on the countdown to it. We have been...

• informed (2 hour meeting with the teachers/chaperones)
• warned (kids and parents had to sign a behavior contract)
• fore-warned (prepare for snow, long walks and tired kids returning home )
• lectured (please follow the rules EXPLICITLY - meaning don't call because you miss your 5th grader - laid out in the 10 pages of handouts that you have to sign)
• charged ( $110.00 thank you very much - per child??? HUH????)

BUT... I don't know if I am PREPARED???? She is only 10 years old!!! It seems like a long ways from home ( approximately 2 1/2 hours) and with STRANGERS!! Well, teachers, and classmates, and friends. So maybe not so bad, but still... I am a little bit anxious and a ton excited for Marky to go to Pingree Park. Marky is a planner and so she really wants to start packing. She has been wearing her new hiking boots, breaking them in. She is SO excited. I asked her who her roommates were and she named her 5 bffs, who also are SO excited. What MORE could a 10 year old want, 2 nights and 3 days aways with these special girlfriends!!??? 9 days and counting...

Cirque du Soleil

Saturday, we went to "Cirque du Soleil". We saw the show "Kooza". It was incredible! We were all in awe of the talent and the beauty and the extravagance of it. We've had so much fun talking about our favorite thing. For some it was the juggling act, for others the tightrope walkers and contortionist. Most of the kids loved the funny clowns. For me it was a dancing/gymnastic combo that was absolutely breathtaking. It was a man/woman team and they were so strong and graceful and flexible and just spectacular. The music and costumes were both so beautiful; Meredith had to hold her hands over her ears for most of it because the music was to loud for her. Otherwise, we were all on the edge of our seats for the entire performance. Afterwards, we went to "The Old Spaghetti Factory" for some yummy pasta. What a night!!

River Baptism

Patrick was baptized in the Poudre River last Sunday. It was a beautiful, tender (COLD!) thing. God worked a miracle so that the kids could be with us. Until early Sunday afternoon, none of them were going to come; the little ones were going to be at home with a sitter and the older girls were at their dad's house. In an unexpected turn of events, the kids were all of the sudden all able to come with us. The baptism turned into a wonderful family time, and I am so grateful that we were all together to witness this sweet event. As Patrick gave testimony of his faith in God, I was overcome with thanksgiving to God for His blessings and with love for my husband.

Cabin Weekend

A couple of weekends ago we went on a little family trip up to the mountains. Last Christmas, my parents gave Patrick a weekend at a cabin as a gift. For him, it was the perfect present. Mountains, family, fishing, climbing, etc. Because we had a busy summer, September was the first occasion that we had to use it. The weekend weather was beautiful and we spent time doing all of our favorite things! We even brought home 2 fishies for supper! One of the kids' favorite thing to do in the mountains is have pinecone wars. The girls usually take on the boys in this fight for "pinecone royalty". There is much laughter, squealing and tickling during the war. I think that this will be something that they will always remember about our mountain trips. Patrick is such a wonderful Daddy, playing with the kids and passing on to them his own love for all things outdoorsy.