I got Fairied!

I had some surprise visitors yesterday who pampered me with a manicure and back massage. The girls picked a salmon nail polish color so I had to wear my matching shirt today.

I feel so colorful now!

First Week of Summer Break

It's officially summer now and we are off and running! The week started out with a ton of rain but true to Denver weather, we had sunshine and warmth the rest of the week.

Tuesday we went across town to Belleview park and took a train ride

Pet the animals like Wilbur and the fake cow--there really were real ones I just didn't get pictures of the goats, chickens, turkeys, and sheep

And played in the "river running through it".

Rachel helping dig worms out of the ground

Evelyn was in heaven playing with Sarah and copying her every move
Wednesday we celebrated cousin Carissa's sweet sixteen birthday with Wii Dance and cake. I can't believe she's sixteen as I remember the little five year old at our wedding!
Thursday we went to a splash park in the area with lots of girls.

Friday we went to a summer celebration fair and I finally broke down and waited an hour in line for face painting. I'd like to say the face paint lasted more than an hour but some girls threw a tantrum so it got washed off. Ah well, they were happy for a little while and I hope I earned points in the good mom account.

Friday night we had a "family" campout at a friends house. We roasted hot dogs and made smores before Eric, Elizabeth and Rachel slept out under the stars and Evelyn and I went home to sleep in our comfortable beds. Don't worry, I still love camping and we'll go for real in a couple of weeks.
Whew, what a week! Let's see what fun we can have this next week so I don't hear the "I'm bored" cry.

Father's Day

"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." -- Enid Bagnold

I love this picture of me and my dad at my wedding reception. He doesn't like being in pictures and he probably doesn't want to admit that he was a little emotional at seeing me married off but I love him for it.

And while we're on a wedding day remembrance thing, I love this picture as it brings out our true colors. Yes, Eric and I smooshed the cake (we even practiced beforehand) and the picture makes it look like he got me good but see my cousin's husband in the background with the huge video camera? It tells the truth that I got Eric good. Now I just have to find that old VHS and convert it to DVD. Smooshing cake in your face Eric is just my way of saying thanks for being a wonderful husband and father to our girls.

School's Out!

It seems like we were the last school to get out for summer break with our year round schedule vs. the traditional/modified traditional of our friends but we're done! Rachel had a preschool picnic complete with bouncy house on Thursday and Elizabeth enjoyed her half day yesterday.
So what did the girls do on their first day of summer break, a Saturday no less? Played school with Elizabeth as the teacher.

Come Monday they will be in "mommy school" for five weeks until I will officially have a 2nd grader, kindergartner, and preschooler. It's going to be fun but crazy!

Twinners

A week ago Rachel picked a shirt to wear that I also have (adult size of course) and she asked me to be her twin. I love my girls at this age because I know it won't be too long before I "embarrass" them.

Class of 2011

This week I had the chance to take a solo trip back home to Simi Valley, CA and see my baby brother Mark graduate from high school. It was fun not having to pack for four or five people and remember car seats, special blankets, and all other things kids need. I got a lot of reading done on the plane and in the airport where I usually am trying to entertain and keep kids out of trouble while not feeling irritated myself at long security lines, delayed flights, or layovers. I felt young again (at least at heart) as I stood on the Royal High School campus where Eric and I spent three years, albeit not at the same time. Here are some pictures to document the experience.

Mark's Graduated!

I think the seniors were excited to be done with the ceremony and high school
Our high school track/cross country coach Mr. Clarke also graduated (retired) with the class of 2011
Ah the siblings--Tricia, Mark, me, Theresa
Even though she's in Honduras, Melissa was with us in spirit--Theresa borrowed her shoes
The happy parents breathing a sigh of relief that they can now be empty-nesters (sort of)

My parents also indulged my whim of wanting to be a tourist in LA. We went to Garden of the World in Thousand Oaks.

Hiked up to the Hollywood sign where we felt oh so welcomed


Walked Olvera Street and Chinatown

And enjoyed the beach at Santa Monica Pier even though June gloom was very much in force

Thanks for graduating Mark so I could have an excuse to come spend time with you guys and So-Cal!

The Royal Gorge

On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend we decided to head out of Denver down to the Royal Gorge outside of Canon City. It's a fun park with more than just a walk across one of the world's highest suspension bridges (that does sway with wind).

It's only a 956 feet drop. Eric was at the bottom last year white water rafting (or swimming since he did fall out) in very high water.They had an old fashion carousel.

I had my first (and last) show biz gig.

Some good ole west animals like an ox and goats.

And the wild west where the girls felt right at home.

All in all it was a fun day spent with the family. Here's to more summer expeditions exploring Denver and the mountains that surround it.