The 5th Clem

And now I present to you, baby girl Clem. She was being a bit difficult at my ultrasound this morning but the technician was finally able to see all her organs and parts - everything is perfect! We can't wait to welcome her next year, at the end of February.

Fun with Pop and Gram

Last week the kids and I went to visit Pop and Gram for a change of pace and give Daddy some quiet time at the cabin to get a few things done. We started out Thursday morning headed to the zoo but after a nail in my tire, we had to make a quick detour to Discount Tire. Luckily, there was one not too far out of the way and there was no wait! Plus, it was one of the tires I had just bought in May and paid the $22 for the insurance, so I was covered for a brand new one because the tire couldn't be patched! Whew, dodged that one. We decided to stop for brunch at a hole in the wall Mexican food place, El Milagrito Cafe, that had delicious breakfast tacos before going to the zoo. After finally making it to the zoo, we walked around and saw just about all of the animals. Before we left, the kids shared an icee and I had one of my own, which was cold and delicious after expelling all that energy in the hot sun! We stopped to ride the train through Breckenridge Park but didn't make it very far. They were having some technical difficulties with the track, so after going forward and backward and forward and backward, we finally went backwards all the way to the station where we had to get refunds. The only picture from that day was one my dad took of us waiting for the train to start.

Friday was a pretty calm day, we only ran into town for a couple of errands. Saturday however, started off with breakfast at Magues Cafe of course, then Gram, the kids, and I headed over to Market Days and the Key to the Hills Hot Rod Run! We checked out all the goods at the Market Days which included picking up some kits from a Home Depot booth for the kids to build. Then we walked down the middle of Main Street, which was shut down for the car show. Levi enjoyed looking at all the cars and informed me that they were all his. Right as we got to the end of a long row of cars and were about to turn around, a couple of people asked me if the kids wanted to sit in their cars. Of course they did! So Levi and Mattie got to sit and play in this 1927 yellow car (no, I have no idea what it is):

Then, I was asked if they would want to go for a short ride to the end of the block and back. Heck yeah! I tried to let Mattie go first but she wasn't having it, so Levi quickly hopped back in and took full advantage of his turn.

After a quick ride in the yellow car, he was not shy about asking to ride in the blue one. All I know about that one is it's from 1932.

Levi had a blast and didn't understand that these people were extra super fantastic and no, we can't ride in all the other cars. Later that evening after baths, Pop got out the tools needed to help build the kits we picked up from the Home Depot booth. Levi had picked a fire truck, so here they are building it:

And I got Mattie the hanging chalkboard to complete:

On Sunday we took Great Grandmother (or Great Mother as Levi calls her) to lunch and had a short visit with her. Then we headed back to Pop and Gram's house to play and get ready to leave on Monday. The kids didn't have school for Columbus Day so we drove back that morning and had a nice drive with minimal traffic. Daddy was able to get home from work right as the kids were waking up from nap, so they had a pleasant surprise and were very happy to see him. We had a fun trip and can't wait to go back and have more fun with Pop and Gram!

Fall Season

It is officially Fall, even if the weather isn't aware yet. I finally finished my Fall wreath to hang on the fence, so the kids and I walked out there to hang it up.

Then Levi and Mattie wanted to have their pictures taken, so I obliged:

 

Also, this morning, I was reading the local newspaper (delivered once a week on Wednesday), and discovered Levi and Mattie made the paper! I remember a lady taking pictures next to me at the fair and rodeo so I knew there was a chance they could be, but I was still surprised that their picture made it out of a ton that I'm sure she took last weekend!

Colorado County Fair and Rodeo

It's a Fall Friday night in Colorado county which can only mean one thing...the Livestock Fair and Rodeo! I'm sure there was a football game going on too, but I don't think the kids are quite ready for that yet. We ate a really early dinner and headed out to the grounds. We toured the animals that were shown and Levi was invited to pet the 4th place heffer.

After checking out the goats, rabbits, chickens and pigs, we went over to the petting zoo to pet and feed the animals there.

After we walked around and checked everything out, we headed back to the rodeo arena to sign Levi up for mutton bustin'. We were only third in line so he would have made the list, but when I found out that the event wouldn't happen until about 9:15 pm (it was only 6:15 at the time), we said no way, Levi's not going to make it that long. He no longer takes naps and has always been an early to bed, early to rise kind of kid. So we didn't sign him up. We went back over to the fair and bought tickets so the kids could do some rides.

Daddy got to do this spinning monkey ride with Levi; Mattie was too short.

After the rides, Momma got her funnel cake, the kids got ice cream, and we went to get seats in the stands for the rodeo. Justin ended up taking Levi down to get a better view. (We had also run into Lanky the Clown, who fashioned Levi a sword and scabbard.)

Us girls stayed in the stands. Mattie wanted a picture of us since I took a picture of Levi and Daddy.

After a quick walk through the exhibit hall, we headed home. We managed to keeps the kids awake on the way home, but Levi was very adament that he was tired and wanted to go to bed. He was asleep in bed by 9. I'm glad we didn't waste $20 signing him up for mutton bustin'!

First Day...Finally!

I've been seeing all the first day of school pictures for the past few weeks and it was finally our turn yesterday! Levi started the mixed 4's class and Mattie is in the older 2's. Mattie is the youngest in her class because she makes the cut off date by 4 days. Levi is one of the youngest in his class as well with that July birthday. They did really well at drop off; Levi ran into his room and I had to poke my head in to say "Bye! I love you!". He replied "Bye!" back but I didn't get a hug or kiss or wave. Mattie took a couple of minutes for me to leave but there was no tears and whining. We put her stuff away and washed her hands, I got a couple of hugs and a kiss before she got distracted by some toys and I quietly slipped out. My one Mommy fail was that I forgot her baby doll for nap time so it apparently took her awhile to fall asleep. And their dolls from the home center would not do. She didn't cry about it but just kept asking where her baby doll was. On the way home I asked Levi how his day was and this was the first time I didn't get an "I don't know" response. It took him at least 20 minutes of the drive home to tell me everything they did, who got in trouble, who he played with, etc. It was very entertaining. We're off to a great start so far!

Lazy Days of Summer

The last few weeks have been pretty uneventful. We haven't been outside; we don't last much longer than about 15 minutes before the kids are covered in sweat and want to go back inside. So Levi builds lots of ships, rockets, and airplanes with his Legos, Mattie does her best to pester Levi, and I try to keep the laundry pile down and dinner cooked every night.

Mattie loves to get dressed first thing in the morning and picks out her own clothes. The majority of the time she matches fine, but she does have the occasional fail. I thought this one was funny. Backwards shirt and panty hose. I was quite impressed that she managed to get the panty hose on!

She also likes to try and bring Levi his clothes to put on and wear. But he much prefers to stay in his pj's all day if he can. And she grabs everything for him, including underwear. Because he already had them on, she put the extra pair she grabbed "on". Silly girl.

Of course, there is the occasional time out. Whenever Levi has to go to TO, Mattie will grab the other chair and drag it to a corner and put herself in TO too.

Naptime can be a struggle most days. Levi has pretty much ditched naps but I still make him rest on his bed/quiet play in his room. Mattie will fight me but eventually succumbs.

And occasionally Levi will try to crash late in the afternoon but I won't have that! You miss naptime, you have to wait for bedtime, which is at 8.

And the best part of the day is when Daddy gets home!