Soccer...It's H E R E!

I feel like Jack Nicholson in The Shining anytime I say, "It's here!" a little sing song-y. Although now that I think about it, I don't believe that's actually what he said when he popped his face through the bathroom door. Perhaps I should re-title this post "Here's Soccer!" in his honor. I digress.

Spring brings all kinds of wonderful things in Colorado -- sunny days and lots of playtime in the backyard, seedlings all over my house, garden prep, Easter (and non-Easter) bunnies, and the return of soccer. For the first time, we have TWO kiddos in soccer in this year. Yes, we are becoming those people.

Madelyn's team, the Sparkly Dolphins, began their season a few weeks ago. They practice on Monday afternoons and have games on Saturdays. In spite of their intimidatihg team name, they're not the best in their league. BUT, they're a good group of girls with wonderful coaches and a supportive fan base. I've been really happy with her experience this year. She's learning a lot and having a great time.

Last week, she even scored her first goal! Yay...Madelyn!

Madelyn keeping the ball away from her team's goal.

Go get 'em, girl!

Sawyer's team, the Dragons, began this past weekend. Theirs is a shorter season consisting of 3 weeks of soccer fundamentals followed by 3 weeks of scrimmages. They only meet on Saturdays and, for the most part, both schedules work nicely together so we won't be making extra trips back and forth or having to divide and conquer.

I'll be honest, Sawyer was a little nervous at first but he warmed up quickly. And...I think it's safe to say he had a great time as well.

Some "Red light, green light."

After the initial tears, there were LOTS of smiles.

Look out soccer world. Here comes Sawyer!

Hopefully the nerves are done and he can go straight to the fun part when we return on Saturday.

Until then, go Dolphins! Go Dragons! V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, that's the Dolphins / Dragons battle cry!

Gingerbread house: Success!

This year's gingerbread house was a success. Not only did it not collapse on us but the little ones did an awesome job decorating!

The directions instructed you to wait 3-4 hours after assembling before decorating. That may have been our crucial mistake last year. I guess sometimes it does pay to read the instructions! Although it was a buzzkill on Tuesday afternoon, luckily, the kiddos were patient enough to wait until after school and lunch yesterday to decorate.

My job was chief frosting put-er on-er. The kids were chief decorators. They shared the candy both in decorating and in eating.

Camera 1.

Camera 2.

"Look at me and say 'Gingerbread house!'" All around success and two happy kiddos.

And...an Elf named Skippy who thought he might help himself to it today. Oh, Skippy.

14 days to Christmas!

Halloween...it's coming!

Welcome to our house of horrors. If you're terrified of ghouls, floors that need mopping, and a cat with a fungal infection, DO NOT COME IN HERE. On second thought, come right on in!

Googly-eyed wreath.

Who do all these eyes belong to? And, why are they looking at me?!

So that I can remember for next year, I thought I'd photograph a few of this year's Halloween decorations. I'm not necessarily a crafty person. Sure, I can make things but given that I'm left-brained, and a retired accountant, I'm not always that creative. But, with two little ones, it's fun coming up with new ideas and turning them into reality. Consider this my paper trail!

Here are my shares -

Door monster. He's a friendly fellow complete with candy corn nose.

He's a Pinterest inspiration and was very easy to make. So easy, in fact, I thought about putting them upstairs on the bedroom doors in a future year.

Halloween tea light holder and mini pumpkins.

Some people have those Christmas villages. I don't. But, I do think it would be fun to have a Halloween village at some point. If I can find a few more cute, coordinating houses like this one, I will have my mini village on the dining room hutch. Wait, we do have some small plastic coffins. Maybe next year, my mini village will include a cemetery. Ideas!

Birds. We CONTINUE to have a problem with wildlife in our house. Ha ha.

Two years ago, we had an unfortunate problem with three mice in our house. They were eradicated and have not returned since. Thank you, Orkin. However, after the mouse incident, these guys debuted. I sent a picture to my sister and remarked that we had another animal problem. She thought they were real. I'm so funny.

Scrapbook paper bunting.

Hopefully I'm not setting the bar too high for myself. The little ones and I get a kick out of Halloween decorating. We even have a few decorations that Honey gave me from my youth. I guess I could say my love of Halloween and decorating goes way back.

Happy Halloween week to all!

Pool time!

One of our favorite things about the Westin Kierland - there are many to choose from - is the swimming pool. Last year, the weather was overcast and cool for two of our three days which is very unusual for Arizona. Not so this year! We had 70 and 80 degree weather with clear skies the whole time and it was great.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, we spent a nice chunk of time swimming, floating in the lazy river, and riding the water slide. Poppie really enjoyed the lazy river while Madelyn couldn't get enough of the water slide.

After her first trip down with Griff, she said, "I want to do that one or two...or maybe five more times!" In all, she went down twice with Griff and a handful of times with me. She would have ridden it more but it was getting close to lunch time and In N Out was calling.

Playing with a new circus elephant pool toy.

Poolside in the shade.

Lazy river time.

Happy girl.

Splash!

Without sounding like a commercial, I have nothing but good things to say about the Kierland. It's the perfect place for a young family or an old family or a couple to vacation. Great location, beautiful hotel and grounds, excellent service...and delicious s'mores.

Rockies pre season game

Day two of our Spring break trip to Arizona included a Rockies pre season game at Salt River Fields against the LA Angels. We sat in the outfield lawn and caught most of the game. We even had a spot of shade which stayed with us throughout most of the afternoon. The weather was perfect and the company was good. Rumor has it, the Rockies even pulled off a victory.

Meeting Dinger. No tears here!

Post ice cream mustache. (Can you guess the flavor?) And, a happy boy.

 Tuckered out.

Thanks for the lift, Poppie.

Country mice - Day 3

Breakfast at Winona's including a cinnamon roll. I would like to point out that the plate is a full size dinner plate. Ridiculous.

Gondola ride to the top of the mountain. Had we been better prepared, we could have gone for a short hike. As it was, we still had a nice time walking around...collecting sticks...and playing in the dirt.

Madelyn took this picture for us. Way to go, Madelyn!

Another nature walk for Madelyn and Griff. They found all sorts of things including "Indian toilet paper" and a solid walking stick.

Afternoon swimming.

And, a little night swimming.

Can't beat it!

Balloon glow

Saturday night's event at the base if the mountain. A late night but a fun way to wrap up our experience of the festival.

2013 Riddlewood Riddlewood

This morning, the first annual Riddlewood Riddlewood road race was held. And, while it ain't your mama's Bolder Boulder, maybe it's a new Anderson & Co Memorial Day weekend tradition.

The runners in the A wave are off.

Pace yourselves. You don't want to go out too fast.

Here comes the B wave!

 Looking good, you two!

Approaching the finish line.

This might be a new course record!

Victorious! Well done.

Congratulations runners. You are all winners.

And, good luck to everyone running the Bolder Boulder tomorrow!

Herb planter.

Madelyn's special project.

On Saturday, we stumbled upon the Kids Workshop at our local Home Depot store. Madelyn has wanted to participate on one of these workshops for a long time but it's just never worked out. We weren't planning on her participating this time either. Our shopping list didn't include a kid project and it was getting close to lunch time. Luckily, the check out clerk told Madelyn and I that we could take a kit with us to put together at home.

We told Griff and Sawyer we'd be right back and made a bee line to the back of the store. A nice, older gentleman got Madelyn an apron and a kit and directed us to the marigolds.

After lunch, and Sawyer was down for his nap, Madelyn and Griff got to work on her project.

Instructions.

Love the mini Home Depot apron.

Apron loaded up with kit supplies and instructions.

And, construction begins. 

A little sanding.

Note the safety goggles.

Pose for a picture.

What can't you do in a tutu?

Wood glue and a screwdriver needed.

Insert project helper here.

Painting. Purple, of course.

Thank goodness I have a rainbow of paint colors available!

And, the finished project.

Two little marigolds ready for some sun, water, and warm weather.

Way to go, Madelyn! I look forward to watching these grow with you all summer long.

BRF (Best Running Friend).

Yesterday morning as I stretched post-run in the front yard while Sawyer slept in the stroller, it occurred to me that running with my babies really is one of my favorite things. Yes, I realize that they aren't babies anymore. And, I realize that I shouldn't call them my babies but I still do. It's a hard habit to break.

Sleeping baby.

February 2013

With Madelyn gone at school two mornings a week, Sawyer and I are logging our miles with the single BOB. Some days we end at the playground. Some days we literally run errands. But, more often that not, we just go out for a few miles and some fresh air. We still use the double BOB sometimes, when Madelyn's around, but I find myself scheduling my runs for days when I only have one kid with me.

For her 4th birthday, Madelyn received a pair of NIKE shoes from Aunt Kari and Uncle Gabe. She immediately called them her running shoes. Then a day or two later, she said something to me about being able to run with me now that she has running shoes, too. Last week, she ran the last 100 or so yards of my run with me. It was so sweet and I think I felt my heart melt.

Every now and then, I apologize to Griff for my rubbing off on our kids. I'm really not trying to brainwash them! It just happens. However, I do love that my love for running is rubbing off on at least one of them. Hopefully it will on Sawyer, too, as he gets older.

The window of running with Madelyn and Sawyer in the stroller closes a little more each day. And, I see that but I'm okay with it. We've got so many more milestones ahead of us. Perhaps in a few more years, my babies with their running shoes will become my little running buddies and family runs will take on a whole new look.

A few fun stroller pictures to follow -

Mile High Madelyn after her very first swimming lesson ever.

Not exactly a running picture but still pretty awesome.

June 2010

Little Brother, during the bald phase, slumbering through pumpkin patching.

Again, not a running picture but demonstrating all the places our wheels have gone.

October 2011

There was a time when naps at home were few and far between.

But, a trip out in the stroller was guaranteed to put little people to sleep.

November 2011

Family run on a Saturday morning.

Taking a quick break at Marcy Park in Highlands Ranch.

June 2012