Practice Writing

Belle is practice writing a ton lately. Had to share her latest from today, along with another cute piece of artwork.

Beautiful Weekend, Again.

Started out the weekend with a visit to the Dennos Museum where we watched the Chinese Dragons perform. Chinese acrobats who contorted, tossed, climbed and bounced with nail biting accuracy.

Saturday, Drew was thrilled to host some friends at Incredible Mo's for his 'friend' party. We bowled, ate pizza, opened gifts and  played in the arcade. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to get the birthday week started. 

Can't believe he is going to be 6!

We've been ghosted!

Part of the joy of living in a neighborhood as we do, is little unexpected pleasures that come along.

Halloween is close, and one tradition we became aware of last year was getting "ghosted". Someone leaves a bag of goodies on our door and then we have to pay it forward. We had fun inspecting the contents of our bag this morning and nibbling on the goodies inside as well. 

Question is, who will we ghost next?

Update: so we paid it forward. First two homes went flawlessly, each kid taking a turn to carry the bag up to the porch and drop it laughing and giggling all the way together. Third house went awry: they were spotted and they come booking back to us, bag still in hand screaming "they saw us! They saw us!" Hilarious. 

Hockey

The kids have started hockey again. Yes, both Belle and Drew are on skates now. It's so fun to watch them and a really great way for them to learn to skate. This is a must-have skill where the winters are long and one of the only ways to enjoy it is to get out on some ice in the backyard rink or at the community rink. They each play on separate teams. We were surprised by Belle when she said she wanted to do it and show the boys what's what. Drew is majorly confident and excited each time to get out there and show his stuff. He's come a long way in only a year.

What a beautiful weekend!

We hiked up to Empire Bluffs on Saturday with friends Mariah and the Mays.
It. was. amazing.

This is my favorite place on the planet next to Canyonlands, Utah. And when I think about them both, they are such far opposites in topography that they both hold a very special place in my heart.

Like the Maze or Needles, Empire Bluffs fills one with peace and a feeling of serenity. Not sure if it's the expanse of cool blues, the clouds at eye level floating silent by or the warmth of the sun on your skin…but it's the feeling you look to gain when you go to the spa. That 'ahhhhhh' feeling.

Snaggle

Drew has lost, and is in process of, losing teeth over the past few months. We've been having fun with him and his latest 'look'. He and I were playing while waiting at one point, and he wanted to me to try to pull out his "Snaggletooth". He loved it.

With a well-placed bite to an almond, the tooth has since fallen out and the tooth fairy has made the trade. Drew declared he'd like to buy some gum with his $2.

Happy Anniversary!

Eleven years under our belt. Happy Anniversary to us!

Gymnastics

Both the kids have been participating in some form of organized exercise like Gymboree or gymnastics since they were little. Belle has continued on in gymnastics and is now jumping into the blocks from the high platform-which used to be scary to her-along with swinging on the uneven bars and walking on the balance beam. 

Andrew made a balance beam a long time ago and it is now being out to good use for practice at home.