tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196658122024-03-07T17:40:35.754-07:00Tall Oaks From Little Acorns GrowPregnancy, Parenthood & the Adventures of A Stay At Home Mom Raising Two Boys in the Rocky MountainsKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.comBlogger947125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-45589022421318378152010-11-16T22:24:00.004-07:002010-11-16T22:52:31.832-07:00A family of fishermanEarlier this year, Bill was lost. I had found a passion with food writing that turned into a career - something that took up my free time outside of the family. Bill didn't have much except for a dying love of disc golf. That difference was something that set our home life in a tailspin, creating resentment and stress. So, he started fly fishing this year. It has changed not only our family dynamics, but our life. With every person finding passion, we are one happy bunch. Bill and I have worked out a great schedule that offers us almost perfect balance. He's able to go fly fishing at least twice, if not three times a week. The river is a sanctuary for him - a break from work, a break from family - something that is only his alone. This addition of fly fishing really opened my eyes as to how important individual passion is for every person. And when that passion is gone, the life in someone dies.<br /><br />Not only has Bill been fly fishing on his own, but he's been off on some cabin trips with friends to fish and has plans for some extravagant fishing trip for himself later next year - South America, possibly. Fortunately, we're in a place where we can do that kind of stuff now. And, as every father hopes to do with his sons one day (I'm sure), Bill has been teaching the boys about fishing here and there. Granted, they are too young right now for fly fishing, but they enjoy hanging out on the river (or pond) and scaring the fish away so nobody catches anything (which really isn't their purpose, but it's what happens). It's fantastic family time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaZeqbeB92E1yaNbeN831jnVU5dekKbK8fu2NadtJe1K1ObRxV33_m0kgp-OnciVVpWbnjQ0RyTccyfmMr5QUh_KBu23x0LIiRpxXW6t_WiLN9ykdAai-RYZkZj2F91gY1HlOZA/s1600/fishing+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaZeqbeB92E1yaNbeN831jnVU5dekKbK8fu2NadtJe1K1ObRxV33_m0kgp-OnciVVpWbnjQ0RyTccyfmMr5QUh_KBu23x0LIiRpxXW6t_WiLN9ykdAai-RYZkZj2F91gY1HlOZA/s400/fishing+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540391063991213874" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPVsKFqwywVKjI-Ob6jOa4Cu0NJ7oHqp5KAezdTNMid3qqPZqEVMZBJP0Zz82EmoiitF92wcpet5MhPJ8C-epiVFM9YUJXZCked-4VbFOIjPbSJcfK-TwoZ2PhP1Ej0SqVTU9oQ/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+2010+-+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPVsKFqwywVKjI-Ob6jOa4Cu0NJ7oHqp5KAezdTNMid3qqPZqEVMZBJP0Zz82EmoiitF92wcpet5MhPJ8C-epiVFM9YUJXZCked-4VbFOIjPbSJcfK-TwoZ2PhP1Ej0SqVTU9oQ/s400/Mother%2527s+Day+2010+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540390517901051170" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NRXnRQLaKdplYmZctYvUDXyHjqpffMnucJAuN501JxfCeim4-cbRDGfOMLWse3dRHxdPRSuOYuJTl2f6YGIzzOkXTA6RXXwDRAuOXN3QPRLaOQOwmrns9-_VMG0vQ6f2cowfzA/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+2010+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NRXnRQLaKdplYmZctYvUDXyHjqpffMnucJAuN501JxfCeim4-cbRDGfOMLWse3dRHxdPRSuOYuJTl2f6YGIzzOkXTA6RXXwDRAuOXN3QPRLaOQOwmrns9-_VMG0vQ6f2cowfzA/s400/Mother%2527s+Day+2010+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540390521648899138" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPHJqM4cIj9JVxn2pYCiyg_eDIUmA0utUSkpirZ2jHaXWVmiDyUnC1xxaHwrdx2bsdUaxeccnobhfp9-qNaTFwN60j33FVOGgk8yPS4qyeZyko54LRxhOGyeQd4rRhTJZmrh5rQ/s1600/fishing+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPHJqM4cIj9JVxn2pYCiyg_eDIUmA0utUSkpirZ2jHaXWVmiDyUnC1xxaHwrdx2bsdUaxeccnobhfp9-qNaTFwN60j33FVOGgk8yPS4qyeZyko54LRxhOGyeQd4rRhTJZmrh5rQ/s400/fishing+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540392269412778082" border="0" /></a><br />Winter is upon us and Bill is itching for spring. I am too. I love that he has something that restores his life so much.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-66481082243787653322010-11-10T10:09:00.003-07:002010-11-16T23:06:06.370-07:00Absence makes the family strongerOver the last year, things have been magnificent. It has been the best year of our lives. Happiness abounds, success grows rapidly for all of us - harmony, love and peace (between the sibling squabbles throughout the day) fills our home from floor to ceiling. We have achieved perfect balance - for the most part - understanding that it takes constant work to keep the scales level.<br /><br />The major conflict that poisoned our family hasn't been around to infect me with hatred. A while back, Bill and I had another argument about the in-laws. Basically, I will always feel anxiety and rage around them, the open sore festering without them offering a bandage of healing. Before visits, I will become distant and tear up, on edge and very unhappy. Being around them is unpleasant, to say the least. But, this argument was about Bill understanding that this is how I will feel every time, and I understood that he still wanted to the kids to see them. And that was that. With tears brushed aside and both feeling heard, we hugged each other close and got ready for the obligated visit.<br /><br />The visit was relatively uneventful, but still as unpleasant as ever. The in-laws have taken to the understanding that I am distant and unfriendly with them because of burnt bridges, and because they refuse to make steps towards progress - we aren't on speaking terms. As in, they ignore me as much as I do them. So here we are, at the mall, with them briefly hanging out with the kids for 15-30 minutes with only a few bits of conversation between them and Bill, and I'm on the sidelines because I refuse to be pushed out of my own family. <br /><br />There have been the obligated phone calls a few times, but over the last few months, I've noticed they haven't happened at all. I don't dare open my mouth to ask why for fear it might change. I actually don't remember the last time the kids had a grandparent phone call. And, the in-laws were here in town for Cousin B's birthday at the beginning of the month. I didn't know about it before hand, and during an after-work conversation with Bill asking about his day, he said that he had lunch with his parents. And that was it. No visit. No phone calls. Nothing.<br /><br />We couldn't be happier without them. And it shows.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-61770814282516540262010-10-13T09:57:00.007-06:002010-11-16T22:21:07.700-07:00Carter turns 2!After our summer vacation to Portland, we've decided that it's important to take vacations more often. Bill had the genius idea of going on vacation for the boys' birthdays. Since Carter's birthday was the next one in line, we decided to head down to Colorado Springs for the weekend to celebrate.<br /><br />It was a nice drive straight down the 25, we booked a decent hotel that was close to a lot of activity. We went to a sports park where Logan and Bill rode go-carts, played video games and mini-golf. The boys had a blast hanging out in a huge indoor sandbox, digging for dinosaur bones. The next day we went to the <a href="http://www.cmzoo.org/">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</a>, where they have more giraffes than I've seen in one single zoo. They have treats that you can buy to feed the giraffes and the kids LOVED it. We zipped through the rest, seeing big Grizzly Bears, overlooking the vast open landscape, and riding on carousels built in the early 1900's.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244qBFGRdiZ-pz4S-FiDL0tSdMo8ACy5KfUaCE1Xu9jPBOvx3nU9TwlLs5k-H-_cU74xoEuCSEfYsWyFtj_aZX-Yw7wuB5iqe42Lvi4GPFG6jx2PMMpJK61hwckJMWVpB8cj1oA/s1600/Boys+2010+-+04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244qBFGRdiZ-pz4S-FiDL0tSdMo8ACy5KfUaCE1Xu9jPBOvx3nU9TwlLs5k-H-_cU74xoEuCSEfYsWyFtj_aZX-Yw7wuB5iqe42Lvi4GPFG6jx2PMMpJK61hwckJMWVpB8cj1oA/s400/Boys+2010+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383180474590082" border="0" /></a><br />We also went to the <a href="http://www.colorado.com/Listing.aspx?did=5860">Dinosaur Resource Center</a>, where they had a huge T-Rex and massive prehistoric sea turtles (which I'd never seen before). It was a blast and the curators working there were so friendly and helpful with the kids. Logan was having an attitude problem and started to cry because he wanted to run around. He was quickly pulled out of his funk by one of the curators who talked to him about dinosaurs and had all sorts of items in his pockets, like claws and such. It was so fun, we ended up going back again later that day after lunch!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD3SeP1hy37Tw0vizipjiq0ZjS2cbHCwtVDBPmL765mZDsa66qGNHpwxtozxz5jW7I7B5V9T_kuTqP5ykk4XocFFfs6GHRfKI3irhPgHnPlDsKvfkrU3kfoF-93DF0vjGWieDRA/s1600/Boys+2010+-+05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD3SeP1hy37Tw0vizipjiq0ZjS2cbHCwtVDBPmL765mZDsa66qGNHpwxtozxz5jW7I7B5V9T_kuTqP5ykk4XocFFfs6GHRfKI3irhPgHnPlDsKvfkrU3kfoF-93DF0vjGWieDRA/s400/Boys+2010+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383203134315474" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJyDeXcd6qU56xSbe8E_gcPJ9-tXiR-w8MakZyf3EMgk7kRKgMVqRsg27WdCrcS6Y_GxKHY7g-8Dy4E-Hbc-WopPlfA89KsCxHCV-oydoNXceLtCsHkAdR7Y6Kl8MM9fcgEsa7Q/s1600/boys+2010+-+06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJyDeXcd6qU56xSbe8E_gcPJ9-tXiR-w8MakZyf3EMgk7kRKgMVqRsg27WdCrcS6Y_GxKHY7g-8Dy4E-Hbc-WopPlfA89KsCxHCV-oydoNXceLtCsHkAdR7Y6Kl8MM9fcgEsa7Q/s400/boys+2010+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383208466005858" border="0" /></a><br />We explored some surrounding parts by the museum to check out fossil beds and then drove to the <a href="http://www.caveofthewinds.com/">Cave Of The Winds</a>. This was AMAZING. The boys had such a great time walking around, but it was a pain in the ass telling them to keep their hands to themselves every single step of the way (you can't touch the cave walls - or anything, really - and you will incur a huge fine if you do). There was a part of the tour where the guide turned off all of the lights. The darkness was suffocating and incredibly uncomfortable. I was holding Carter on my hip and I could feel him rubbing his face because the extreme darkness felt so awkward. We got a family picture in the cave, and Bill keeps it at work on his desk.<br /><br />On our last day there, we went to the <a href="http://www.santas-colo.com/">North Pole</a>. What a weird, strange, fun place to have way up in the Rocky Mountains. It's filled with amusement park rides that Logan couldn't get enough of. Carter was a bit more apprehensive, but still had a great time. We ate ice cream and hot dogs, got dizzy, ran around, laughed and even had a moment for the boys to sit on Santa's lap. Carter didn't want to, but sat next to Logan. Logan didn't hesitate to ask for cars and dinosaurs for Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeWPhDNWUij4zQHCLizQm5xci-qRGd5Q2kAJ9BzBms_SWkLcF6zetZZ9xyPe10O3vLuuRFLpWvhXdH1SWfGreaCXSeWxwa3_6oKxNX7lvIP7jqowSQt1FiXasCyOMmyp_OIKLYg/s1600/boys+2010+-+07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeWPhDNWUij4zQHCLizQm5xci-qRGd5Q2kAJ9BzBms_SWkLcF6zetZZ9xyPe10O3vLuuRFLpWvhXdH1SWfGreaCXSeWxwa3_6oKxNX7lvIP7jqowSQt1FiXasCyOMmyp_OIKLYg/s400/boys+2010+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383632946706210" border="0" /></a><br />We drove home and opened Carter's birthday presents. It's so fun with him being two! He had a blast opening books, cars and his Dinosaur Train train set. The next day we had his birthday party with friends - 20 of them - all running around the house eating our traditional, delicious vegan cupcakes with butter cream frosting (that is obviously not vegan).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnz2SAxl8kK95pdeUWYUuUmGrPlL0MsdGwbSlRkBLfVWxaxv6tNyy_ZmuDzvP9PIOG1exLR-VZC0N91gc5isFBaYIeQeCHn2CElAq_phrfBElEPa3h1lJH4DKgiFwY2Etfp0aVw/s1600/bday+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnz2SAxl8kK95pdeUWYUuUmGrPlL0MsdGwbSlRkBLfVWxaxv6tNyy_ZmuDzvP9PIOG1exLR-VZC0N91gc5isFBaYIeQeCHn2CElAq_phrfBElEPa3h1lJH4DKgiFwY2Etfp0aVw/s400/bday+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383165012691922" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKPeBAANKKZfLBxK6wpxCIVOSoy0AEdt97DQ3HsYxVgLuMsOJdsMqbyN_RhCSzYb1ayRVnJtXkWOU6kasR5XrIi723a5iQ_W3uSxyFl4AJx58Yr7lN-_eZX4ppIO70w49HRMRQ/s1600/bday+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKPeBAANKKZfLBxK6wpxCIVOSoy0AEdt97DQ3HsYxVgLuMsOJdsMqbyN_RhCSzYb1ayRVnJtXkWOU6kasR5XrIi723a5iQ_W3uSxyFl4AJx58Yr7lN-_eZX4ppIO70w49HRMRQ/s400/bday+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540383174946413890" border="0" /></a><br />We had such a fun time celebrating Carter's 2nd birthday on vacation. I hope this is a new tradition that we can keep up with. What a way to create long-lasting family memories!!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-84215064651237141512010-10-06T10:11:00.000-06:002010-10-06T10:16:43.717-06:00A busy summer of funWhen Logan graduated from Primary school and our summer officially started, I thought to myself "<span style="font-style: italic;">what in the hell are we going to do all summer long? What am I going to do with all of this extra time on my hands?</span>" Well, it was more like "<span style="font-style: italic;">Extra time? What was I thinking!?</span>"<br /><br />Our summer has been extremely busy - in a good way! It was definitely designated as the summer of fun. Now that Logan is back in school (a first-day-of-school post coming soon) and Carter on his own in Toddler preschool classes (and his 2nd birthday post coming too!), I have two hours a week to free write. Wow, two whole hours.<br /><br />There's a lot to catch up on...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLTuUEABP1BE6iHS63uQlbQjY6AbiayXJmRWvvqv3AKdVNlcDjnkkJBgokqnkdsg-NdyxDoZHt8QMHsir-XIAnkBQgORtd0JrA-RA7hs_8u_o3ZD0IrpeAtl0feyo-vjZQQwQ4A/s1600/Logan+2010+-+03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLTuUEABP1BE6iHS63uQlbQjY6AbiayXJmRWvvqv3AKdVNlcDjnkkJBgokqnkdsg-NdyxDoZHt8QMHsir-XIAnkBQgORtd0JrA-RA7hs_8u_o3ZD0IrpeAtl0feyo-vjZQQwQ4A/s400/Logan+2010+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190353716050978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfXN8zzH-pOFYTfZpnppLV5ISj9LWxgKnHxUP54p4yvS1s2FDIOnInSsv9VMGzSel7yYiI3lLz1UrOSPldCp33AkZCpxwYrmdXzCfsmK-wtGL_DAbhial3wjv7n07LFBll8L40A/s1600/Carter+2010+-+05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfXN8zzH-pOFYTfZpnppLV5ISj9LWxgKnHxUP54p4yvS1s2FDIOnInSsv9VMGzSel7yYiI3lLz1UrOSPldCp33AkZCpxwYrmdXzCfsmK-wtGL_DAbhial3wjv7n07LFBll8L40A/s400/Carter+2010+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190115238459714" border="0" /></a>We took a family trip up to Evergreen, Colorado to do some boating and fishing. Bill is into fly fishing BIG TIME after picking it up this summer. All he wants to do is fish and he can't wait until the boys are old enough to tag along with him. While we were up there, we saw a lot of fun animals like Mountain Goats and even drove up Mount Evans (<a href="http://www.feastingfortcollins.com/2010/08/feasting-fort-collins-on-road-echo-lake.html">a food post that I wrote on my restaurant blog</a>), where we got stuck at the top of the mountain in a snow storm. Super scary!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6sdDG_C-mo1N5IHimNRtM45E_BKf0QQjehkGKxBh8eBbQn9RSv1A3ZjxvMv4HKMXJSzee9etod0QhcnSzbkOL6AwWudNx4_mbDgD6uQM1ogvEDstd0IICRZy7soknpx7DBM4yA/s1600/Logan+2010+-+02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6sdDG_C-mo1N5IHimNRtM45E_BKf0QQjehkGKxBh8eBbQn9RSv1A3ZjxvMv4HKMXJSzee9etod0QhcnSzbkOL6AwWudNx4_mbDgD6uQM1ogvEDstd0IICRZy7soknpx7DBM4yA/s400/Logan+2010+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190133502316274" border="0" /></a>Logan took a farm class for a week or so and had a chance to ride a pony - that I had to lead. Now, this was the biggest pony in the class, one hand short of a horse. And it was somewhat temperamental, stopping at it's own will, snorting and the like. It scared the crap out of me, as I'm not a horse person. The mom behind us had a nippy pony and kept getting bit. Thank god we didn't have that one! But Logan loved it all the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLs3DjoiAD0zV5SlOECYYmBPBCV1Bjz9CBVFdOQvlYugHv-lLlljc-n-QdqWOIsLjyHt90pHADBDt9BF0EQT1pW09s-u8lEU1tiv8j10-YxB0K2DCNgUMzF0M2WBBBYwQydkA1Q/s1600/Logan+2010+-+01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLs3DjoiAD0zV5SlOECYYmBPBCV1Bjz9CBVFdOQvlYugHv-lLlljc-n-QdqWOIsLjyHt90pHADBDt9BF0EQT1pW09s-u8lEU1tiv8j10-YxB0K2DCNgUMzF0M2WBBBYwQydkA1Q/s400/Logan+2010+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190124678187778" border="0" /></a><br />There were also a lot of times the kids got face paint. There were city festivals and other special functions. This was one of Logan's favorite designs, and it fits his "too cool for everyone" attitude.<br /> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_n5YT2eGzvijnUpPjyuJkGZlj9R2We34Xpbwy-6JFCKDujbRj6vS9MKChtKtH9IAYdxhyphenhyphenW8abxgC3Y-7LcK4QUOs_Ohvl7AaOYaYAIShnP7mWh10WN3i1mpQJy_AZewX3yC-PA/s1600/Carter+2010+-+04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_n5YT2eGzvijnUpPjyuJkGZlj9R2We34Xpbwy-6JFCKDujbRj6vS9MKChtKtH9IAYdxhyphenhyphenW8abxgC3Y-7LcK4QUOs_Ohvl7AaOYaYAIShnP7mWh10WN3i1mpQJy_AZewX3yC-PA/s400/Carter+2010+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190106437574882" border="0" /></a>We took many trips up to Estes Park this year for fishing and hanging out in the mountains. We even met our long-time blogging buddies Ashley and Paisley for lunch while they were on a summer vacation visit of their own. It was fun to catch up and even funnier that we already knew a whole lot about each other even though this was the first time we met. I love blogging.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zoe9WHB8p90W4dRXjYr2NM4ZMljYCRTzN6A_eM6ATwNWzEd8S_cjiok8OGOBJitDx5vd_zIIot8K1l_yXx9towd-0TNJJ4QG5ahcGFilSG5xJTr5eE3C_J3eb2awmp08bstjGw/s1600/Carter+2010+-+03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zoe9WHB8p90W4dRXjYr2NM4ZMljYCRTzN6A_eM6ATwNWzEd8S_cjiok8OGOBJitDx5vd_zIIot8K1l_yXx9towd-0TNJJ4QG5ahcGFilSG5xJTr5eE3C_J3eb2awmp08bstjGw/s400/Carter+2010+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517190101700638210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-F-dNA1UWcnt7akvi2pSitf1ac8uijO44hyphenhyphenG2uX3Gabfk5OlhKKdIobhID3wRF93HA15s8xyiBjyegEr4secm11aMeIfmOFEfC8PV9dEC3QVz2MzidLIO5p00DQeFYiht34Cog/s1600/Boys+2010+-+02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-F-dNA1UWcnt7akvi2pSitf1ac8uijO44hyphenhyphenG2uX3Gabfk5OlhKKdIobhID3wRF93HA15s8xyiBjyegEr4secm11aMeIfmOFEfC8PV9dEC3QVz2MzidLIO5p00DQeFYiht34Cog/s400/Boys+2010+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517189481618583474" border="0" /></a><br />There were many nights of running through sprinklers and eating push-pops. Swinging, slides, sandboxes, cars, bubbles and the boys spent a large chunk of time outside. I dread winter because we're all going to go stir-crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WU4vikhluXVJYf7F5xCneT2d5qG-D5ZCItArtgGhhSnIAm5FkO4eoWwY5tEE2GgsyvnM8hXrrqfaxF_LlPKSo20wi5M-FVWnQTnBASaX38_ZKkYlrtIzgsf-GGI-XyCna2K9Gg/s1600/Carter+2010+-+02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WU4vikhluXVJYf7F5xCneT2d5qG-D5ZCItArtgGhhSnIAm5FkO4eoWwY5tEE2GgsyvnM8hXrrqfaxF_LlPKSo20wi5M-FVWnQTnBASaX38_ZKkYlrtIzgsf-GGI-XyCna2K9Gg/s400/Carter+2010+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517189523450250914" border="0" /></a>Carter got into a lot of trouble, getting into the baking pantry. And everything else he could get his little hands on. He loves Logan so much - it's adorable. He tries to do everything his big brother does and often gets himself into messy predicaments because of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PkkS-u6kCjgahQlewEiHavSsp5KvkjHcgOPV6pj3Jyb1_xfmN9eA6xE6-5J6Y0rTE_FMvOPzEljUdzqhqLtNGi7XjFtQYmOYPCX2NYiNOCd_nbZigi9w1PkR3rhVhy7Ys5IcQw/s1600/Carter+2010+-+01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PkkS-u6kCjgahQlewEiHavSsp5KvkjHcgOPV6pj3Jyb1_xfmN9eA6xE6-5J6Y0rTE_FMvOPzEljUdzqhqLtNGi7XjFtQYmOYPCX2NYiNOCd_nbZigi9w1PkR3rhVhy7Ys5IcQw/s400/Carter+2010+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517189512403266018" border="0" /></a>I also had a big scare with asthma and have had to keep rescue inhalers on hand. Clearly, I had to use them a lot and Carter knew exactly what they were for. Fortunately, he didn't know how to press down to get to the medication. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUhvuN-s-EobwHXx8l2OOR81KK25d7podZJ16pYDzD7NpiWhUwWexPvY3nJezntMbCQPX4NH6u_OVQMi60Dy7B2pmSNPYYvRKHLN1xmDM7QAYUQyaq2dj1K8Js8d5TYt2_3NZTA/s1600/Boys+2010+-+03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUhvuN-s-EobwHXx8l2OOR81KK25d7podZJ16pYDzD7NpiWhUwWexPvY3nJezntMbCQPX4NH6u_OVQMi60Dy7B2pmSNPYYvRKHLN1xmDM7QAYUQyaq2dj1K8Js8d5TYt2_3NZTA/s400/Boys+2010+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517189485916400274" border="0" /></a>We did a lot of family weekend fun time - going on getaways, playing mini-golf, go-carts and more. The boys had a blast and it was great moments for Bill and I as parents to not just take the time to do these things with the kids, but to enjoy it with them. Teaching Logan how to play golf was awesome!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-F-dNA1UWcnt7akvi2pSitf1ac8uijO44hyphenhyphenG2uX3Gabfk5OlhKKdIobhID3wRF93HA15s8xyiBjyegEr4secm11aMeIfmOFEfC8PV9dEC3QVz2MzidLIO5p00DQeFYiht34Cog/s1600/Boys+2010+-+02.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzYCU2jezMbOv4kwzrsvWpatqtLfbbut6Jb98SEXy7UYCoZguBdJY-fSDeSwpX2FoZFWXMDpVeNlzyHH7VVhY4wS9gBVUa4gNmRLsPj_Cjvfgxb-N50LZDEVEsfGcrkJKqBnzZQ/s1600/Boys+2010+-+01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzYCU2jezMbOv4kwzrsvWpatqtLfbbut6Jb98SEXy7UYCoZguBdJY-fSDeSwpX2FoZFWXMDpVeNlzyHH7VVhY4wS9gBVUa4gNmRLsPj_Cjvfgxb-N50LZDEVEsfGcrkJKqBnzZQ/s400/Boys+2010+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517189473444748338" border="0" /></a><br />The boys also came along with me on restaurant reviews around town. Such horrible pain to have to eat cookies and tell me what they think. They are used to me taking pictures of their food when we go out and Logan has actually begun to develop his own food opinions - telling me what he thinks. And he's pretty spot on for a 4 year old. Another food critic in the making - or not.<br /><br />So, that was about half of our summer. There's more to come - like Carter's 2nd birthday, Logan starting karate lessons, and all that. But, unless I can squeeze in a few moments over the weekend, it will have to wait for Monday!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-26513819533428910382010-10-04T19:10:00.003-06:002010-10-04T19:35:41.697-06:00October seems like a good month to start overI've been wracked with guilt over the last year or so about this blog, pulling at straws to find the space, the time, the commitment to write regularly like I once had. I feel as though moments of our life have slipped through my fingers, almost forgotten forever. Files of pictures on my desktop wait for editing, wait for a story to be told.<br /><br />This was the whole reason I started this blog. To make sure we had memories recorded for all time and eternity and generations to come - but mostly for my own selfish reasons of needing a digital memory bank, not wanting to lose precious life moments like I have before. I never wanted my kids to think back on their own childhood, unable to remember a damn thing. But, selfishly again, I never wanted to look back on the second half of my life not remembering a damn thing. 15 years have already been lost forever. <br /><br />I feel like this space is my heart and soul. This blog is me, my family, our life. I never wrote for an audience, for traffic, for stats (even though I used to obsessively check them). I wrote for me. My love for writing grew in this space. My love for blogging blossomed here. I look back on previous entries from when Logan was a small baby and weep with gratitude that I spent the time to record those memories. <br /><br />In my absence on this blog, I feel like I've cheated my family. But also, which hurts me more (narcissistically enough), I feel like I've cheated myself.<br /><br />I suppose this happens to everyone at some point in their life - they lose track, go off the beaten path and return to the straight and narrow. I suppose this happens to every long-term blogger, an ebb and flow of content and time. Some people give up and abandon theirs. I never will, no matter how long my absence is. <br /><br />But, I think October is a good month to start over. <br /><br />Logan is back in school and now Carter is, too. While I still blog professionally on my restaurant review blog (which takes up 90% of my writing time), the moments that both boys are in school - two hours a week - I can dedicate writing time to this blog again. <br /><br />You can expect to read posts on Mondays and Wednesdays. It may take a few weeks to catch up on our summer of fun, but the "what we did today" posts will once again be balanced with those introspective essays I hold dear to my heart.<br /><br />See you on Wednesday.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-17615938227458177982010-07-27T10:40:00.002-06:002010-07-27T11:25:38.259-06:00Finally freeFor two years, I was the President of one of the MOMS Club chapters here in town. At first, it was fun! It was a great way to be involved with my kids' social schedule and connect with other moms in our city. I really loved it, but it didn't last long.<br /><br />Being in an organization of 50+ women, there is bound to be some drama. In each of the three years that I served on our board, there was some kind of nonsense to deal with. Moms having power trips and becoming playgroup nazi's, moms throwing tantrums because we needed to re-organize playgroups and they were no longer in the same group as their best friends (god forbid they try and make other friends), moms who felt like they needed to email International board members to complain about our chapter, and moms who would complain about anything at the drop of a hat. It got old and tiresome. It drained on me as a person and on my family. I began to dread board meetings and decisions that needed to be made because there was certainly somebody who was going to bitch about something and nobody gave a shit about the effort I put into our chapter.<br /><br />The straw that broke the camels back for me was during the organization and planning of our annual charitable fundraiser. This year was the biggest, most involved and most successful fundraiser our chapter had ever done. It was a children's fashion show and silent auction to raise money for a non-profit in our city that helped single parents become financially independent and free from government assistance. There were tickets to be sold, items we needed for donation and more work than I ever imagined. It was so successful mostly in part of our Admin VP who put her head down and trudged through the challenges, overcoming obstacles and powering through the drama. She was amazing and it wouldn't have happened without her leadership.<br /><br />I mentally gave up after people started complaining about it.<br /><br />What got to me the most was when people were complaining about how they were asked to help sell tickets and promote the event, by a member who is known for her blunt and curt personality. Because they were not asked as they felt entitled, people began to boycott and protest the fundraiser. I wanted to knock some heads together, hoping it would spark some common sense. <br /><br />"Here you are, bringing your Starbucks coffee to playgroup every week, being a stay-at-home mom, living in a $300,000 home, driving two cars and taking family vacations and you're going to punish single parents and children in our community, WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO SLEEP THE NEXT NIGHT, just because you don't like how you were asked to help sell tickets????"<br /><br />I actually said this to people. I wanted to scream at them. I did scold one person pretty harshly. It was the most petty, ridiculous, selfish complaint I'd ever heard from a grown woman.<br /><br />And I gave up. That was it for me. I was done.<br /><br />I did a half-assed job for the next few months until my term ended on July 1st. It's been a month since I haven't had to field complaints or go to board meetings to make decisions that people didn't care about. It's been a month of freedom! So much less stress, so much more time to focus on things that are positive in our life. It's been eye-opening, to say the least.<br /><br />We're still members of the chapter, but I'm not going to hold another position in any organizational aspect. This chapter in our life is closing and I feel like I'm finally free.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-43095527764761824932010-07-03T12:12:00.009-06:002010-07-14T12:17:27.437-06:00First Family Vacation!I felt my heart swell and my soul sing in Oregon; one of the most amazing and beautiful stretches of land in our Country.<br /><br />With both boys growing and becoming more independent, they are easier to travel with, thus us deciding it was time to take our first family vacation. Portland was the first place I wanted to go after living there for a number of years and immediately falling in love with the scenery. On the plus side, my sisters still live there and the boys hadn't yet met their cousins. So it was sure to be a fun trip for all.<br /><br />On the drive to the airport, we were filled with anticipation and excitement. The boys were all about it and got their groove on in the back seat.<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=b47ee16c483db8593ef1f9" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=b47ee16c483db8593ef1f9&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="408" height="382"></embed><div style="margin: 0px; font: 12px/20px verdana,arial,sans-serif; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt0" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">Make photo slide shows at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br />Our flight out there wasn't very fun, though. Logan was an awesome travel companion, set with his videos on the lap top and various activities to keep him entertained. Carter, however, was that crying baby on the plane. He actually started his hysterics in the airport while we were checking in. We were waiting in a huge line that moved slowly and Carter was screaming bloody murder the entire time. Being a seasoned mom, I was not bothered, nor flustered or angry that he wouldn't calm down. I'm callous to the worst terrible-two's tantrums imaginable.<br /><br />Knowing that he was tired, there was no consoling him and my repeated attempts to shoosh him were futile. I just waited to him to conk out. That didn't stop some of the other people in line who thought they could calm him better than I. I just looked at them and shrugged my shoulders as they tried to unsuccessfully charm him. After taking off, he cried for another 10 minutes and passed out cold.<br /><br />We stayed in Seaside which ended up being pretty cold. The first night we settled into the hotel room and then drove to the beach. Logan walked along the shore, experiencing the ocean for the first time. He immediately loved it. After years of not hearing the sound of the ocean, it was shockingly loud, yet comforting at the same time. It was an interesting realization that the sound is not gentle but amazingly powerful. I loved and missed it so much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VfkQCKG35x51khIk0DOh1LlNa6I0apU74QgEjHvRAgBVHWrO5Ylo83gkq0kemj4VOGEst36bsTSM3TGNo8NQwcwPxCNt9EmgwkY1Fao0RfD3CIc6XF_gqOevG_QRBrDBsXx-FQ/s1600/Oregon+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VfkQCKG35x51khIk0DOh1LlNa6I0apU74QgEjHvRAgBVHWrO5Ylo83gkq0kemj4VOGEst36bsTSM3TGNo8NQwcwPxCNt9EmgwkY1Fao0RfD3CIc6XF_gqOevG_QRBrDBsXx-FQ/s400/Oregon+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489745184616026322" border="0" /></a><br />Later that night we drove up on to the beach at watched the sunset from our car. The beach was speckled with headlights from cars doing the same thing. It was breathtakingly beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4myCDOuWu734OliUZTmr1l20dja0Y-q8qHZgouBqdaT0aZCdI7tb8S26c5ehuDh4LEvyOUyQJoJ_IVzK7haVig5TNEoVkzgdEswfq17q889i1Glyz7nrMCNFXA4FIkkHUFNUiA/s1600/Oregon+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4myCDOuWu734OliUZTmr1l20dja0Y-q8qHZgouBqdaT0aZCdI7tb8S26c5ehuDh4LEvyOUyQJoJ_IVzK7haVig5TNEoVkzgdEswfq17q889i1Glyz7nrMCNFXA4FIkkHUFNUiA/s400/Oregon+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489745197154730162" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning we went straight to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. There were tide pools to explore and sea creatures to show the boys. It's a protected area so there were environmental specialists there to educate the public about the rock. They had binoculars and telescopes set up for people to bird watch and they gathered animals from the tide pools for kids to get up close and personal with. We watched a Bald Eagle grab a Puffin from the rock and fly away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4mcHLRaxpm-j3F5-x4aj084tkUu7HF8YPkvhhJ2wuNBw9nmyenBk1Bc70tbt024K36qTdWuXVXf19W2eSQMQt0nYUmGLeh9EuTYR6HTSx8HfgdwQ-S2DPJP1PxrcQFXTGVydOQ/s1600/Oregon+-+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4mcHLRaxpm-j3F5-x4aj084tkUu7HF8YPkvhhJ2wuNBw9nmyenBk1Bc70tbt024K36qTdWuXVXf19W2eSQMQt0nYUmGLeh9EuTYR6HTSx8HfgdwQ-S2DPJP1PxrcQFXTGVydOQ/s400/Oregon+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489745212793028242" border="0" /></a><br />We spent most of the morning walking along the beach barefoot, getting soaked in the ocean waves, and enjoying every minute we could. It was pure bliss and some of the happiest family memories we share. Later that day we fed the seals at the aquarium and looked at huge, aggressive octopus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiCPQCx-3FrEZZshLllZj3NZA1bXthiOcGAiCdiEaFMWUBkJozF5qw4GMAiUmifGxDzs8nHfJPrX1wiQva0DkPJYCLs05hXeDMkCtkPwoCu2s1HBAhiR3OhhHpDY8kDGtuwBfZw/s1600/Oregon+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiCPQCx-3FrEZZshLllZj3NZA1bXthiOcGAiCdiEaFMWUBkJozF5qw4GMAiUmifGxDzs8nHfJPrX1wiQva0DkPJYCLs05hXeDMkCtkPwoCu2s1HBAhiR3OhhHpDY8kDGtuwBfZw/s400/Oregon+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489745203753075906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzgU_bHjO9l3FhxuJJkmoHhmhjedzoeq5Ksb64atnXlQJWUI-bU1mNbS7q24h1FnZeUxTPI1hiX_ykT9BVDr3mCq440S3hqQCdW1hTjzU-oL3B-kngRbNyDDzg0xOJ5gGAc1nMw/s1600/Oregon+-+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzgU_bHjO9l3FhxuJJkmoHhmhjedzoeq5Ksb64atnXlQJWUI-bU1mNbS7q24h1FnZeUxTPI1hiX_ykT9BVDr3mCq440S3hqQCdW1hTjzU-oL3B-kngRbNyDDzg0xOJ5gGAc1nMw/s400/Oregon+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489745226146370994" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we drove down the coast to Tillamook. Driving along side the vast blue ocean with the road hugged by lush green forest, I was choked up and teary from the gorgeousness of it all. We stopped at Cape Mears Lighthouse that had recently suffered some damage to vandals, but the area was amazing, nonetheless.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK59_CYa74eZ88krNTYU8K-_CVWCwan8edAHcfWWCelKDNxXxZF1WOJStHuP2Ok7YMApoPeiqTW8TgwhtmqJepnQ1ZYNu0kO_dFhHom83mtbYtylSdT4ujpINsvKwpDeRsiVi8A/s1600/Oregon+-+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK59_CYa74eZ88krNTYU8K-_CVWCwan8edAHcfWWCelKDNxXxZF1WOJStHuP2Ok7YMApoPeiqTW8TgwhtmqJepnQ1ZYNu0kO_dFhHom83mtbYtylSdT4ujpINsvKwpDeRsiVi8A/s400/Oregon+-+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489746177379212210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJFsRHjv4wEkHJAyT3ZraZqBIodLw182gJSJJmbnw8qm2unZ-SeztwlXYwUwWoGvEFAA8GrOOJ4VAX_EZhoAYygjZLiXlekjD_UIkqnbBKTA0wXuVUcb8rrDAVJdpYgD1OLz8uA/s1600/Oregon+-+9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJFsRHjv4wEkHJAyT3ZraZqBIodLw182gJSJJmbnw8qm2unZ-SeztwlXYwUwWoGvEFAA8GrOOJ4VAX_EZhoAYygjZLiXlekjD_UIkqnbBKTA0wXuVUcb8rrDAVJdpYgD1OLz8uA/s400/Oregon+-+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489746213426138722" border="0" /></a><br />Sadly, we weren't able to check out the top of the Lighthouse, but we did walk around and looked at the Octopus tree before heading to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc5w5MEHiDnpOqHbqRD5N5oow8lIX5USupDBxez0YKM4Oda6JZMnm7xVAa7sDIOJlWjqePsAMEfvURRzsJaCxHOLt0_k_KwBMhMK_lTxyptd3ZYlQYxyedbP31IkU5ZMufHIkLA/s1600/Oregon+-+7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc5w5MEHiDnpOqHbqRD5N5oow8lIX5USupDBxez0YKM4Oda6JZMnm7xVAa7sDIOJlWjqePsAMEfvURRzsJaCxHOLt0_k_KwBMhMK_lTxyptd3ZYlQYxyedbP31IkU5ZMufHIkLA/s400/Oregon+-+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489746184863886850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ezTGI0ByXnqJFSMnnyyLFWTLEYUWiAoOafgVESYvGv3iE0nAh8Hb0tL9UabEpKDwYtTx0JhllX3FgOOCGELtaS7x8MWupFKG9leZnsQqfMKXhTXMbqRxVu3XBovF0U2O0cJQQ/s1600/Oregon+-+8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ezTGI0ByXnqJFSMnnyyLFWTLEYUWiAoOafgVESYvGv3iE0nAh8Hb0tL9UabEpKDwYtTx0JhllX3FgOOCGELtaS7x8MWupFKG9leZnsQqfMKXhTXMbqRxVu3XBovF0U2O0cJQQ/s400/Oregon+-+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489746198014952674" border="0" /></a><br />The cheese factory was the lamest tour ever. They weren't even making any cheese while we were there. But, we did stay for lunch and I ate some delicious clam chowder and a milkshake. Tillamook makes a damn good ice cream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC521z5ZU9k3DGR84z9o67jxf5D1xlAxpRom_7-gZbF66dlpHP7UB8eESXJGPrOlsXJtmHk3GeN6NaZotirDdiEgawHGJU3ckWZyPOtHvGA4nfH4MF_xIZZ7z4kxdQUVMwNOWxA/s1600/Oregon+-+10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC521z5ZU9k3DGR84z9o67jxf5D1xlAxpRom_7-gZbF66dlpHP7UB8eESXJGPrOlsXJtmHk3GeN6NaZotirDdiEgawHGJU3ckWZyPOtHvGA4nfH4MF_xIZZ7z4kxdQUVMwNOWxA/s400/Oregon+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489746275179864722" border="0" /></a><br />The next day was Saturday, where we spent the day at Saturday's Market with my sister J and brother-in-law C. We browsed the tents for interesting finds, eating sugary elephant ears and Logan got to hang out at the carnival for the Rose Festival. He rode rides and played in ball pits with Bill. They shared some father-son time while I walked Carter around in his stroller to sleep. He also got a snazzy new shirt from his Aunt and Uncle because he spilled grape juice all over the one he was wearing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnF4UnDQAt_9pKKtgK-oh_x6qLBYy2DZPXsliqBDgHzOOwLlXb9wfHzdwrsY7JUDuNSJ76IbuwqeNxw-X2Xv3xx07FyHEr2Hna9k0YPh3r7wTju2Gf2C2bo1Q2VDH-kfi5fzMw/s1600/Oregon+-+11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnF4UnDQAt_9pKKtgK-oh_x6qLBYy2DZPXsliqBDgHzOOwLlXb9wfHzdwrsY7JUDuNSJ76IbuwqeNxw-X2Xv3xx07FyHEr2Hna9k0YPh3r7wTju2Gf2C2bo1Q2VDH-kfi5fzMw/s400/Oregon+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489748746829962226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTup7QqxbzTMQLPjCTNQSKBX_muxf8dQ_VQ79k65ip9DmiO7SEAioyfo2D6Oy5pcoCZk4VcJeoXDLA0NnXPPZHlyl4V8_idx3SDysAX-WSVUkE2y73p-fgWp20iJ0rqXOr8Vg-4Q/s1600/Oregon+-+12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTup7QqxbzTMQLPjCTNQSKBX_muxf8dQ_VQ79k65ip9DmiO7SEAioyfo2D6Oy5pcoCZk4VcJeoXDLA0NnXPPZHlyl4V8_idx3SDysAX-WSVUkE2y73p-fgWp20iJ0rqXOr8Vg-4Q/s400/Oregon+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489748756617059890" border="0" /></a><br />We spent our 11th wedding anniversary at the zoo, in the rain, jumping in puddles and mesmerized by the dinosaur exhibit. Both boys are obsessed and loved every scary minute of that part of our day. Logan knows quite a bit more than we were aware of! He's totally into carnivores because they are "killing dinosaurs". Such a boy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvKOi5ssRfKtPqygQL28sp8vVVQ1wSPStJ2a8hwujSR2hdjtycLE6_T5v7WzqOprTWDXXj9T_O9HNFC7hSASy_Fji8wHqETrayv4P_rvnX3XzISITjSPe_lWAIc-toddq61bcFw/s1600/Oregon+-+13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvKOi5ssRfKtPqygQL28sp8vVVQ1wSPStJ2a8hwujSR2hdjtycLE6_T5v7WzqOprTWDXXj9T_O9HNFC7hSASy_Fji8wHqETrayv4P_rvnX3XzISITjSPe_lWAIc-toddq61bcFw/s400/Oregon+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489748765065231810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KKsnr-fYbJgJcewoPbruppjawH8MX-9bzxtZJVd0I1dFvr27KgqDVO8DuQiA80nVgVocZohT_99GsesWBEUW2c_-2we3dlfQ8dbkIQ3bFYJWba-vIPhqPEAiaR-jyG8rYI8zSw/s1600/Oregon+-+14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KKsnr-fYbJgJcewoPbruppjawH8MX-9bzxtZJVd0I1dFvr27KgqDVO8DuQiA80nVgVocZohT_99GsesWBEUW2c_-2we3dlfQ8dbkIQ3bFYJWba-vIPhqPEAiaR-jyG8rYI8zSw/s400/Oregon+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489748771926564418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg486lA3bYwatKou9VmkUa2W1Nu2ZnyskPHnYbVj1inyMq5G5heGlTP9PV6XdY81eku9RfQf6XlcoeksI3KCHNswdhh-Wi3PI_W_yL9IE1SGIrIjYjooG6266wrh5pV4jTNbLCgzg/s1600/oregon+-+15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg486lA3bYwatKou9VmkUa2W1Nu2ZnyskPHnYbVj1inyMq5G5heGlTP9PV6XdY81eku9RfQf6XlcoeksI3KCHNswdhh-Wi3PI_W_yL9IE1SGIrIjYjooG6266wrh5pV4jTNbLCgzg/s400/oregon+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489748781983104674" border="0" /></a><br />We played at The Children's Museum and also the Science and Discovery Center, where we met up with my other sister R and her kids, cousins that Logan and Carter have never really met. They all had fun splashing in tubs of water and playing in imaginary forests.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHpkmxJ5n8AzYpJFR0DND1AoEYu6NX_xi2N-msQ7PIvhn6LAWXGgNZdbHtpsCo41Fabi12FPRdfZGR7NJHJmXNcCUAdg01AysS3ybRCX-Zv_G72AbImMc541J3fggs_gTzrxrAw/s1600/oregon+-+16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHpkmxJ5n8AzYpJFR0DND1AoEYu6NX_xi2N-msQ7PIvhn6LAWXGgNZdbHtpsCo41Fabi12FPRdfZGR7NJHJmXNcCUAdg01AysS3ybRCX-Zv_G72AbImMc541J3fggs_gTzrxrAw/s400/oregon+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749223911726882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJbdTWVPi6EYDzFWgdQ2h4uYatTwYm3P9lBZyfq_qkc_-2WunpNnzrtUuQPIBVpy2ORQe7VRkVvLQNtB28B2hTE4WEzZr4bKPu57wUIauXpiE6pOQLpj2_cbUPLrMmNmXh5ettg/s1600/oregon+-+17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJbdTWVPi6EYDzFWgdQ2h4uYatTwYm3P9lBZyfq_qkc_-2WunpNnzrtUuQPIBVpy2ORQe7VRkVvLQNtB28B2hTE4WEzZr4bKPu57wUIauXpiE6pOQLpj2_cbUPLrMmNmXh5ettg/s400/oregon+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749239593787218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b7CknhG4TUbEr5W5jGiun9IpX-2c6t6oaPN5K9rFQl5cthZK5zGOJ39_1g8_gA4EEukpY9hCbxYTZ_pGuhBscV8nfExhROhU73tnbdD7ocCupYFEQXQAXDXlGIg-uZUKXHCipw/s1600/Oregon+-+18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b7CknhG4TUbEr5W5jGiun9IpX-2c6t6oaPN5K9rFQl5cthZK5zGOJ39_1g8_gA4EEukpY9hCbxYTZ_pGuhBscV8nfExhROhU73tnbdD7ocCupYFEQXQAXDXlGIg-uZUKXHCipw/s400/Oregon+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749248202732498" border="0" /></a><br />We drove over to the Columbia River Gorge with brilliant green mountains spotted with graceful waterfalls. We ate ice cream in Hood river and watched Kite Boarders. On the way back, we stopped at Multnoma Falls, powerful and gorgeous, with campfire smells drifting through the warm summer evening air filled with soft fluffs from the cottonwood trees. A summer snowstorm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZdNC23cQqdACGp-8ZZJf5WlcNfBGH5bDwSxNRByES_XPb-Z1vq5YkKNP7II0dnubLn2cUAzvSBADfUGv4WGV7zCnorB25NM-ASGqzSvlZKVKJwOCmL0WJHSmQcWHQwXQ0NwWHA/s1600/Oregon+-+19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZdNC23cQqdACGp-8ZZJf5WlcNfBGH5bDwSxNRByES_XPb-Z1vq5YkKNP7II0dnubLn2cUAzvSBADfUGv4WGV7zCnorB25NM-ASGqzSvlZKVKJwOCmL0WJHSmQcWHQwXQ0NwWHA/s400/Oregon+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749255461107970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtC772VC4cUIacjHqw3mTe8w9FDApfz21aTsqpiubrtdp2c022TrEPp81a9dqEJrERWtm3rKT2icmQ7Y36QAanoQd3Rh-h8PZMq98w8xsnZ1K3eaqpH20jj7Eyw0kRpsLpXKqhg/s1600/Oregon+-+20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtC772VC4cUIacjHqw3mTe8w9FDApfz21aTsqpiubrtdp2c022TrEPp81a9dqEJrERWtm3rKT2icmQ7Y36QAanoQd3Rh-h8PZMq98w8xsnZ1K3eaqpH20jj7Eyw0kRpsLpXKqhg/s400/Oregon+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749262746816802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttb2G6-RRuHqSD88pFT5GbAy4PX14xi-2wBnFF5_A5XV1fDBfjtG8JohO3VKIB4BLEOXRZ39cqw_djVM-DP44nUQ83FBPUZkDXNgnDuw5XC0IoaJ6QT1v0GmDojA2AGDO1aoJIg/s1600/Oregon+-+21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttb2G6-RRuHqSD88pFT5GbAy4PX14xi-2wBnFF5_A5XV1fDBfjtG8JohO3VKIB4BLEOXRZ39cqw_djVM-DP44nUQ83FBPUZkDXNgnDuw5XC0IoaJ6QT1v0GmDojA2AGDO1aoJIg/s400/Oregon+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489749658567711698" border="0" /></a><br />This week vacation, our first family vacation, was filled with some of the best memories that I will never forget. What a way to begin a family vacation trend! We plan to go on a winter vacation and I'm sure it will be just as magical.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-50135551387131410742010-06-21T22:56:00.003-06:002010-06-21T23:21:39.156-06:00Primary school graduationLast month (yes, I suck at updating right now) Logan graduated from Primary school. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning he went to school for a few hours, learning about bugs and books, the farm, shapes and the alphabet. He sang songs and played with friends. He grew by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />Being Agnostic/Atheist (whatever the hell we are), my biggest fear of needing to have religious discussions with a 4 year old were never a reality. Despite saying prayers (which were sing-song type rhymes), his only explanation to me was that they were thank you's. Not even to God or Jesus. Just 'thank you'. That worked for me! He will be attending again next year, moving up to the Pre-K class, so we'll see if that trend continues.<br /><br />On the last day of class, we all met at a park to play and have a picnic. Logan was sweet handing his cards to his teachers (all three of them), signing his own name to each one. He played with a friend who seemed to be one of his best friends in class, and his mom and I talked about meeting up over the summer to get the boys together again. I handed her my business card and haven't received an email. Maybe I shouldn't be handing out my business cards when I lack a pen? Tacky, maybe. But it's better than writing my email address in spit, blood or the playground sand.<br /><br />I'm so proud of Logan and all that he learned in school this last year. I hope I don't screw it up over the summer. So far, I've only made him write his name once. Mommy FAIL.<br /><br />Here is a video of Logan's Spring performance. It is freakin' funny watching him up there, twisting around, bored out of his mind, singing songs that he learned this year (although, I'm taking credit for the ABC's. We worked HARD for that one!) It really shows how sweet and cute he is. Fair warning, this video is long and only appeals to my family. Everyone else couldn't care less. Unless watching random school performances is your thing.<br /><br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=b322f7b3257e045b657dad" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=b322f7b3257e045b657dad&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="408" height="382"></embed><div style="margin: 0px; font: 12px/20px verdana,arial,sans-serif; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt3" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">Make video montages at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-13305001141108642082010-05-21T13:21:00.004-06:002010-05-21T20:15:58.357-06:00Big BlogiversaryI've been blogging for quite some time now, something like 5 years. I've had four different blogs - this one, my fitness blog (that's on hiatus pretty much), my food blog and the blog I write with my fellow writing group. So, I've celebrated a lot of blogiversaries (or however you want to spell it). While some have meant more than others, I do have to say the first anniversary of the food blog has resulted in the biggest celebration yet. Never in my life have I had a dinner with blog readers to celebrate a milestone. It was awesome!<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://www.feastingfortcollins.com/2010/05/1st-annversary-dinner-at-el-monte-recap.html">a recap post with pictures of the event</a>. It was a five course dinner created specifically for the anniversary with over 40 people in attendance (readers and friends). It was a dinner that will be hard to forget!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-60721818975496522442010-05-20T15:19:00.002-06:002010-05-20T15:36:45.441-06:00I can do thisA few weeks ago I wrote a post over on the blog for our writing group that I wanted to post there before here. After being a part of that group for over a year, our writing in general has become more honest and real, and I think most people are feeling safe enough to bare their souls in their writing. Myself included. This moment that inspired my writing shook me up a bit and I needed that wound to scab over before posting it here. History has proven on this blog that anytime I write about my childhood and the repercussions of living in an abusive home, there is sure to be Anonymous comments and hate mail.<br /><br />So, after a few weeks of riding the curves and dips of that roller coaster ride, I'm back to smooth sailing (and writing certainly helped that) and need for this piece to be a part of my blog here. Because it is about my life and in this issue, I refuse to hide.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://realitywritescollective.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-can-do-this.html">I can do this</a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-43895595354093039502010-05-18T22:10:00.002-06:002010-05-18T23:32:04.683-06:00Moments of insightThe other day I was in the gym, first training a client and then sticking around to do an hour of cardio myself. I've bumped up my cardio quite a bit since becoming a food writer. The constant eating out to get content for reviews takes its toll. The weight sneaks up on you when you're not looking until one day you catch a glimps in the mirror and realize it's time to get crackin' before this junk in the trunk gets out of control.<br /><br />I've doubled my cardio time and in the next week I'll do cardio doubles on top of that (2 hours of cardio a day) on top of weight training at least 3 days a week, one of them being plyometrics. It's a hell of a lot of working out, but I eat a hell of a lot, too. That's the Law Of Thermodynamics for you.<br /><br />While I'm on cardio, I do high intensity intervals, focusing on at least 70% of my maximum heart rate. I push the limits as best I can. Most people hate doing cardio, just going through the motions and moaning and groaning about it, but I love it. I love it because it makes me sweat, I love it because it give me a high from the adrenaline rush, I love it because it makes me feel pain.<br /><br />And then it hit me.<br /><br />During these moments of intensity, there is clarity. An epiphany, personal insight, a time where I could pay myself $100 for being my own psychiatrist.<br /><br />I was thinking about the cycle of eating and working out and how in order to be a "perfect size" that I'd absolutely have to give up food writing. It came to me that that's not really what I want. I don't want to have the flat abs I used to have before I got pregnant with Logan when I was at the peak of my training career. I don't want to go back to that athletic build.<br /><br />Why? Because it's pointless.<br /><br />When I reached my fitness goal pre-kids, obtaining the perfect body fat percentage, it was the most anti-climatic moment in my life. Months of hard work, hours of training in the gym, anal analysis of my food and enough supplements to kill a horse. I did it. I achieved perfect body status (for me, anyway) and it gave me such an empty feeling. I was left thinking, <span style="font-style: italic;">now what do I do</span>?<br /><br />Most people workout to eat. I eat to workout. <br /><br />I love the gym and it will always be a part of my life. Often times you need to keep a goal in mind so that you continue to have motivation for workouts in the gym. I'm not a runner and have no desire to do a marathon, a triathlon, or any kind of race for that matter. But, managing the balance of food writing is a goal, really, and I can push myself to the max.<br /><br />Then there is the eating itself. I spent almost 2 years of my life not being able to eat. Constant nausea, planing my menus to what would feel better coming back up. Pregnancy almost killed me. And I never want to limit the joys in my life just to fit in a pair of jeans.<br /><br />That's not to say I'm going to let myself go. But I'm not counting macronutrient combinations anymore. <br /><br />So, while I was sweating and breathing deep with chills coursing through my blood during a burst of adrenaline, I realized that I want to have my cake and eat it too. I want to eat and write and workout and always have some reason to push myself in the gym. I've grown to love the curves I never had before and don't want to lose them. Complex and weird, I'm sure, but it was a defining moment for me.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-88720436803298106202010-05-03T11:58:00.009-06:002010-05-03T15:02:38.469-06:00Family weekend funNow that it's getting nice outside and Carter is getting a bit older, we are making a tradition of having a family fun day on the weekends. It started earlier this year with a trip to the Denver Science Museum and then the Aquarium. We just got the new car and felt up for a few road trips. We all had a blast, especially Logan, learning about dinosaurs and outer space.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMd9Ts-nRxVOtZOjLFoJt1GLJ-TfHANV5i9Vofuwq3AxLdux6RUAWyxcylCSLQ5hEnvpkUwb3vAMJl763QPLz0SjLlbd9a4uQjTwNmlXw4bsb85uKdrBr9Lp3vFfUHXcxb_MsVg/s1600/Museum+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMd9Ts-nRxVOtZOjLFoJt1GLJ-TfHANV5i9Vofuwq3AxLdux6RUAWyxcylCSLQ5hEnvpkUwb3vAMJl763QPLz0SjLlbd9a4uQjTwNmlXw4bsb85uKdrBr9Lp3vFfUHXcxb_MsVg/s400/Museum+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143367300424242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY0RfBeRT8WJRl5rSPjgmnyMudaA526MZRGQz2x8xXaREgwpBsej5cuvOazJblWDY8Kcppyv0y5IJDJiIj4z2cdUbDAIPt701lntbuHOPJVV8Wy80jGCCSW3mN-HIb-XayELCZQ/s1600/Museum+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY0RfBeRT8WJRl5rSPjgmnyMudaA526MZRGQz2x8xXaREgwpBsej5cuvOazJblWDY8Kcppyv0y5IJDJiIj4z2cdUbDAIPt701lntbuHOPJVV8Wy80jGCCSW3mN-HIb-XayELCZQ/s400/Museum+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143378805529250" border="0" /></a>Bill and Logan had space shuttle races, we checked out a thermal camera where Bill was totally red and I was all blue (which demonstrated our extreme differences in body temperature). <br /><br />Logan was so excited to check out the fossils and Carter loved just tagging along and running around. I really wished there were more exhibits for the kids, as most of it was pretty boring for them (gems? No thanks). This museum really needs some more funding.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7woYEChYHGuwMLfq_X-fi8kVMJWmbNSZsH0SaRn7lEj4YwxS-3OcfNXLmwFPJCBdNlCPG9PSE2_cuIdsc_W4zBxeOoHwS44SZH2CjOSyGIkG5gC1M8A1Ry4DP-LpaSQALKmNyQ/s1600/Museum+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7woYEChYHGuwMLfq_X-fi8kVMJWmbNSZsH0SaRn7lEj4YwxS-3OcfNXLmwFPJCBdNlCPG9PSE2_cuIdsc_W4zBxeOoHwS44SZH2CjOSyGIkG5gC1M8A1Ry4DP-LpaSQALKmNyQ/s400/Museum+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143394623626658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufuFN31sRH3Pej-yaM5x_AOsTkC86IsJ_qMYVK3FyNhxY5P3WYQDXSZoQiLN5AnMzveY3Yufg0eMlelQ-xsJbfaFzmlRgzIKBJuBdWScl0a93vsjiEoQ4cZTxf-YsDtOii2g7aA/s1600/Museum+-+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufuFN31sRH3Pej-yaM5x_AOsTkC86IsJ_qMYVK3FyNhxY5P3WYQDXSZoQiLN5AnMzveY3Yufg0eMlelQ-xsJbfaFzmlRgzIKBJuBdWScl0a93vsjiEoQ4cZTxf-YsDtOii2g7aA/s400/Museum+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143408753332882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmwxwgSzJZfXS08PFvOtBglVEM7STmXXmtbEVw6DKuoOXfYS1PXyDeZ2TS6hdrinmVBJ2UBmZtoSVshdpiiizGVT6wdER_0UAycYXKkRXQfpxgcEJxcbLrzaMNtD54HSdJ9eZQ/s1600/Museum+-+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmwxwgSzJZfXS08PFvOtBglVEM7STmXXmtbEVw6DKuoOXfYS1PXyDeZ2TS6hdrinmVBJ2UBmZtoSVshdpiiizGVT6wdER_0UAycYXKkRXQfpxgcEJxcbLrzaMNtD54HSdJ9eZQ/s400/Museum+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143419336912914" border="0" /></a><br />Later that same day we went to the aquarium. Carter was thrilled with the fish and the chance to run around some more. Logan was a bit intimidated by the large sharks and a little freaked out by the sting rays that jumped out of the tanks, but he was happy as a clam to get a dinosaur painted on his face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BS2Eo6XjlVVblGgOeNPFUSetu7twYKhXHdK5K__6P_Yy2h_RzPQz1-s0s0bBR9Yx8NWPktzjLWHtMDGu1N1dAvteQbJmVlKunfNzTGXBoFp45Cb9r6jX-fy7_TsgO7vVK5Wcgw/s1600/Aquarium+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BS2Eo6XjlVVblGgOeNPFUSetu7twYKhXHdK5K__6P_Yy2h_RzPQz1-s0s0bBR9Yx8NWPktzjLWHtMDGu1N1dAvteQbJmVlKunfNzTGXBoFp45Cb9r6jX-fy7_TsgO7vVK5Wcgw/s400/Aquarium+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142529428406354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN14VHDh3SuE_4cVLvSl9P4mv4JOTJEJfD7WPZMC5mGt41Z_LH4RCg-oJW75teOeVGo1q2bnOUIhIg-pn3yktiucfh80aruHbkJMVvVyXnYxGHL4w6K8ph3Rs6NxTtZ1maKS6tg/s1600/Aquarium+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN14VHDh3SuE_4cVLvSl9P4mv4JOTJEJfD7WPZMC5mGt41Z_LH4RCg-oJW75teOeVGo1q2bnOUIhIg-pn3yktiucfh80aruHbkJMVvVyXnYxGHL4w6K8ph3Rs6NxTtZ1maKS6tg/s400/Aquarium+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142543895708354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4PbglVsRk2LEUnM3frtFzq0Rdm9fqXBd_2e_sEAEsgFHk62aB-fTaXIw5N-oLQSCB00ayi_bjPLx9Up3QRTIo6D-NnOXQ-wyolGzdgBavAs576dlZKq7DA92xhCr8jezPqQnDQ/s1600/Aquarium+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4PbglVsRk2LEUnM3frtFzq0Rdm9fqXBd_2e_sEAEsgFHk62aB-fTaXIw5N-oLQSCB00ayi_bjPLx9Up3QRTIo6D-NnOXQ-wyolGzdgBavAs576dlZKq7DA92xhCr8jezPqQnDQ/s400/Aquarium+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142554412650002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hMDlRAngOIBvr8Krfs0NdxtQV8Llhs8QiBZt4QWs3Ihl7en3-mwIJ6tvC3QyWaWeGZHWXG9AWNowahOTyi8YpFvFv-NcQXMWOsXyao623tWj4AJCFPILORut80JCz3PrdvJGWA/s1600/Aquarium+-+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hMDlRAngOIBvr8Krfs0NdxtQV8Llhs8QiBZt4QWs3Ihl7en3-mwIJ6tvC3QyWaWeGZHWXG9AWNowahOTyi8YpFvFv-NcQXMWOsXyao623tWj4AJCFPILORut80JCz3PrdvJGWA/s400/Aquarium+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142561244085682" border="0" /></a><br />The next weekend, we went back down to check out the Children's Museum. It was completely crowded and insane, but the boys still had a great time. They got to climb around, hang out in a reading forest, play basketball, learn about a vet clinic and play with all sorts of toys. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_CrRxc_2X4Irc-0Lm8Gsj1w78IXIIjHjBIYbd0oPdpZy5lF0CrclMmjbD1fODiP8UsDYLgxqmNuQE5xrkQh_qUjEyKq8SJs1jjGzMbJdYR_eUGfe2cZ99DHOvFEDdnG-9iOggA/s1600/Childrens+museum+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_CrRxc_2X4Irc-0Lm8Gsj1w78IXIIjHjBIYbd0oPdpZy5lF0CrclMmjbD1fODiP8UsDYLgxqmNuQE5xrkQh_qUjEyKq8SJs1jjGzMbJdYR_eUGfe2cZ99DHOvFEDdnG-9iOggA/s400/Childrens+museum+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142877763748546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGQ5fC-Prym2vwaJ6eJ622Ck5gD7yE0XGtAMK9aT9dUww9Nn1WfxXi6-BBOWc_uPTyqNACbcfLXda62utI0Z9KbWgq5sn4e_SPffxeOj1RBl_3L7twwRMyZGqaZHUqVvUDpUAag/s1600/Childrens+museum+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGQ5fC-Prym2vwaJ6eJ622Ck5gD7yE0XGtAMK9aT9dUww9Nn1WfxXi6-BBOWc_uPTyqNACbcfLXda62utI0Z9KbWgq5sn4e_SPffxeOj1RBl_3L7twwRMyZGqaZHUqVvUDpUAag/s400/Childrens+museum+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142889097188930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz12ghJ81mQoA8cOAFVTR5fnu7iji7T_eB_admSB3eNsXMu5O4zqH8s_arfWWSQE2iib5bhMmJrKSY7lvYlcyTMMapQx4T5M8vieBA4Mauwsa78bJiVghzGYivDG0LZupFxM7Ng/s1600/Childrens+museum+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz12ghJ81mQoA8cOAFVTR5fnu7iji7T_eB_admSB3eNsXMu5O4zqH8s_arfWWSQE2iib5bhMmJrKSY7lvYlcyTMMapQx4T5M8vieBA4Mauwsa78bJiVghzGYivDG0LZupFxM7Ng/s400/Childrens+museum+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142903195297682" border="0" /></a><br />A few weeks ago Bill was supposed to take another business trip to London and Cork. He was going to be gone for a week and a half and it was important that we spend some quality time together before he left. We packed up the kids and spent another whole day in Denver, first at the zoo and then an early dinner at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Bonita">Casa Bonita</a>.<br /><br />This had to be the best family day we've had yet, hands down. Everyone was in good spirits, smiles and laughter, fun and adventure was had. Not once did anyone cry, throw a tantrum or argue. It was awesome!!!<br /><br />On our way down to Denver, we stopped at a diner known for their enormous cinnamon rolls. Logan loves getting them and he splits it with Carter. Bill just loves eating at greasy spoons, so he was happy. It's a good way to fill up on a hearty breakfast.<br /><br />We got to the zoo not long after it opened for the day. It was nice out, not too cold and not hot, not too many people - perfect. One of the first animal exhibits we saw were of some mountain goats, one of which had<span style="font-style: italic;"> just</span> had a baby and was licking it clean. Logan loved looking at all of the animals, even after a large, poop-flinging monkey jumped fiercely at the glass, scaring the bejesus out of him and Carter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHauhDXJJ3opA9ke9DceTVjsfcTPbC-FH9HesZexkbh1IPxlDWQ3Xx2yWQrDQmdvHft9LxELXxb5esmXAspOFRt1vgX4C5sfoJ5TMH5ZK27sImqn-m_JbbR_QMf7D-z1ArpP2_-g/s1600/zoo+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHauhDXJJ3opA9ke9DceTVjsfcTPbC-FH9HesZexkbh1IPxlDWQ3Xx2yWQrDQmdvHft9LxELXxb5esmXAspOFRt1vgX4C5sfoJ5TMH5ZK27sImqn-m_JbbR_QMf7D-z1ArpP2_-g/s400/zoo+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143770904259090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk5eT1V5kPH4t4nuOOLHiL9aI_9OCjBpS4-DGRtxVDBfmU-Zpbw7HfNOVZ7c49f0r6Je1sFNlf9-USuJVw_dblH1BF3rCE5TZU9iL_H8F5MwYZrTrheumvewTYfHfcu9horlVyA/s1600/zoo+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk5eT1V5kPH4t4nuOOLHiL9aI_9OCjBpS4-DGRtxVDBfmU-Zpbw7HfNOVZ7c49f0r6Je1sFNlf9-USuJVw_dblH1BF3rCE5TZU9iL_H8F5MwYZrTrheumvewTYfHfcu9horlVyA/s400/zoo+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143786306112450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_91GR7rF7W68kOGtrXBIbKMcryfoJ48HESg9K-BH1rKRCZVIWXLw9yN-dHk2F2fLA_t8KWMzDyZ8oIRQdGK3CynVryk0bl1ySvDALOgMRUdLy7aLK4AyAkd_uXwh6MTFgHCFWQ/s1600/zoo+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_91GR7rF7W68kOGtrXBIbKMcryfoJ48HESg9K-BH1rKRCZVIWXLw9yN-dHk2F2fLA_t8KWMzDyZ8oIRQdGK3CynVryk0bl1ySvDALOgMRUdLy7aLK4AyAkd_uXwh6MTFgHCFWQ/s400/zoo+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143796078490786" border="0" /></a><br />We took a train ride (lame, but the boys liked it) and rode the carousel (which Carter did not like). We ate cotton candy, saw fun animals and had an amazing day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOukwGtnTj-XrD617xo4uyZwIQNJrWEnS7TuSIExrXickL4jIRGiAIQsjT1uHN1p88cNkoOb5UKrwEOlXsew_qduLorI1j31NiMang-0VkS3LahfvHLB8GWYHCE3DceH0YC4xLw/s1600/zoo+-+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOukwGtnTj-XrD617xo4uyZwIQNJrWEnS7TuSIExrXickL4jIRGiAIQsjT1uHN1p88cNkoOb5UKrwEOlXsew_qduLorI1j31NiMang-0VkS3LahfvHLB8GWYHCE3DceH0YC4xLw/s400/zoo+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143808800944386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm_cOK4OD1zONIVdN1hxDbh55sH9Ju0AgF0Vxl4q3RAoooyEtvmbQ5SlNS6__JPOuCaA4TlUVqTo6nqYZReDc8v9sVXZpenwTaLk6m0aHPUcdlkoB_O3cJkKHl-Im4rDWsT4a_Q/s1600/zoo+-+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm_cOK4OD1zONIVdN1hxDbh55sH9Ju0AgF0Vxl4q3RAoooyEtvmbQ5SlNS6__JPOuCaA4TlUVqTo6nqYZReDc8v9sVXZpenwTaLk6m0aHPUcdlkoB_O3cJkKHl-Im4rDWsT4a_Q/s400/zoo+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467143815105780882" border="0" /></a><br />Just as it was about to rain cats and dogs, we left to go to Casa Bonita. I'd never been before, but Bill had a handful of times when we lived in Denver. He really wanted the boys to experience the Mexican insanity.<br /><br />This is <a href="http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2009/01/casa_bonita_a_survivors_guide.php">the best review I've ever read on Casa Bonita</a>. It hits the nail on the head.<br /><br />With chlorine permeating the air and hitting you smack in the nose the minute you open the front door, a complete sensory overload with terrible food, you only need to go to Casa Bonita once. After eating the cafeteria food, I think I ate my weight in sopaipillas. Best I've ever had. Greasy, fluffy pillows of deliciousness.<br /><br />We got the boys some glow swords from one of the vendors walking around, watched a terrible act with cliff divers and a guy in a gorilla suit, tried to play video games (most were out of order or broken without signage), walked through Black Bart's Cave where Logan flipped out saying he wanted to get out of there fast (no haunted houses for this kid!) and left in a complete daze.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KcVUXVhVaylWhAD6qxpweKfvyYNjaUpf3ZpZjyNPAQePZMlz9Rz-fqgtAXcJpLke2CGsyyhHTPE9QoOU_UkObsuUYnS5v_pqrsk8wBW2XX3ZbkdgbkKBT_Lspw5CMRnJ920mhA/s1600/Casa+Bonita+-+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KcVUXVhVaylWhAD6qxpweKfvyYNjaUpf3ZpZjyNPAQePZMlz9Rz-fqgtAXcJpLke2CGsyyhHTPE9QoOU_UkObsuUYnS5v_pqrsk8wBW2XX3ZbkdgbkKBT_Lspw5CMRnJ920mhA/s400/Casa+Bonita+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142577266814978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-QKMyMQkoOpNOxkRd32Gl1qeQcFTAs9fF75u8JWxKfOJcGLRQpOKO_OzsqgJkq5Gobl_pr81S5MsbpHzyoGzH8iatxSMiUjhyphenhyphenNJlyVjKft9NGyEKFxWyYXXKeGH-nnQnmOfJHA/s1600/Casa+Bonita+-+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-QKMyMQkoOpNOxkRd32Gl1qeQcFTAs9fF75u8JWxKfOJcGLRQpOKO_OzsqgJkq5Gobl_pr81S5MsbpHzyoGzH8iatxSMiUjhyphenhyphenNJlyVjKft9NGyEKFxWyYXXKeGH-nnQnmOfJHA/s400/Casa+Bonita+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142857035304754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIELZOJjEp0i6mYnqiYbDEzdkbr6VJumpRU3SYohAFdf1RnjwJQlTVY5T4_HBNAD9Z0VG6xaralNfCb1gHKAw6J1DPXzKyNk8YiCacVNxLxOlk5lAEWemBAZtAerq0bIwD1MRvCg/s1600/Casa+Bonita+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIELZOJjEp0i6mYnqiYbDEzdkbr6VJumpRU3SYohAFdf1RnjwJQlTVY5T4_HBNAD9Z0VG6xaralNfCb1gHKAw6J1DPXzKyNk8YiCacVNxLxOlk5lAEWemBAZtAerq0bIwD1MRvCg/s400/Casa+Bonita+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467142868881750674" border="0" /></a><br />The next weekend we took the kids to a fishing expo, because Bill is picking up fly fishing this summer. The expo was totally lame, but they did have a large tank of trout where the kids could fish. It was freezing and windy as hell out, so Carter and I stood by the side watching as Bill helped Logan catch a fish. There was a time limit so people could rotate turns. Just as the last minute was almost up, Logan caught a fish! Granted, this was totally cheating when it comes to fishing, but he was the only one who caught one and was so excited. It was adorable.<br /><br />This last weekend we had our first family day at the movie theater. Logan has had a handful of father-son movie dates and loves it. We thought Carter would be old enough to enjoy it. Loaded up with popcorn, soda and candy, we sat at the back of the theater with lots of room to spread out. We watched How To Train Your Dragon. Carter did not last very long and I missed about 90% of the movie. He and I ended up walking the halls with him making friends everywhere he went. One of the movie attendants gave him a pair of 3-D glasses that were bigger than his head. He smiled his big, cheesy grin walking around with them on with people oooing and awwwing. He's such a clown and loves the attention.<br /><br />Each weekend we do something together that really bonds us as a family. I'm so proud of these times we share and I'm lucky to have a husband and adorable kids to enjoy then with. I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store for us.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-13098071094692512302010-04-11T23:29:00.002-06:002010-04-11T23:55:06.031-06:00You know what they say, no news is good newsI think about this blog every single day. It's meant so much to me over the last five years. It holds every detail of the growth of our family, the challenges and the victories. It contains the deep hurts I've experienced in my life and the greatest joys I've ever felt. This blog is our life.<br /><br />Over the last year or so, I haven't been able to keep up with my daily posts as I once did. I am now a professional blogger, our cities top food critic. I am amazed at the success I've had and it really is quite unbelievable. But it also is a job and it takes up every single bit of my free writing time. Which leaves almost nothing for our blog here. And that? Kills me. <br /><br />I will never abandon this blog. Ever. It would be devastating to publish a "Thanks and that's all folks!" post (which I'm sure some of you thought I was in the process of writing). But, if you've been a reader for a while or know me personally, you know that I'm terrible with balance. It's a constant struggle. Someday I know that I'll be able to get back to writing more than once a week on here. But for now, that will have to do. Because it's better than nothing.<br /><br />Really, though. No news<span style="font-style: italic;"> is</span> good news. There hasn't been much to write about because everything is going so well. And "going well" also means "pretty boring". But I thought I'd do a little summary - in bullet fashion. Why not?<br /><ul><li>Bill started fly fishing this year. Actually, he just finished a two day hands-on seminar and now he's ready to jump in the river with his friends. This is so good for him because it gives him the sense of self that he's been missing for a while.</li><li>Logan is doing great in school and is an avid video gamer already (just like his Dad). I'm thrilled that it's warm outside so he can get out and away from the living room. <br /></li><li>Carter is a solid little tag along and is learning to talk (I love it!!) I'm going to try and get video to post.</li><li>Rex is growing and learning the ropes quickly. She's been in puppy school once a week and then goes to doggie daycare all day a few days a week. This has been a life saver. Both mine and hers. <br /></li><li>I'm helping to organize our MOMS Club fundraiser - a children's fashion show and silent auction. I've been asked to write an article for our local paper for another fundraiser. I've decided to do some public speaking about being a professional blogger and then? I'm also organizing the first year anniversary dinner for the food blog. Yeah. See why I'm not writing here so often?</li><li>There has been virtually no news with the in-laws. I honestly don't remember the last time Logan had a forced, scheduled call with them (that was supposed to be every Sunday). Maybe right after we got Rex? Looks like that fell through pretty quick. Oddly enough, no phone calls, no sessions, no visits? Our house is back on the "happiest ever" track. Bill and I had a good conversation about it the other week at dinner. I just hope with all my might that it stays like this. <br /></li><li>Wow - these are long bullet paragraphs....</li></ul>So, there you have it. Happy, doing fun things and living full lives. Couldn't ask for anything more.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-14102072073431078352010-04-05T14:26:00.006-06:002010-04-05T15:32:57.492-06:00Easter 2010Ahhh, Easter. A sure sign of spring and such a fun little holiday. This Easter was quite fun with the boys, especially now that they are both able to enjoy the festivities to the fullest.<br /><br />On Saturday morning we took them to our MOMS Club Easter Egg Hunt. Last year it was freezing and somewhat miserable, but this year the weather was much more cooperative, with a slight cool breeze on a crisp spring morning. The boys had a blast gathering the brightly colored eggs filled with sugary goodness. Logan was on a serious hunt, filling his yellow felt Easter basket that looked like a chick. This was Carter's first year of actually hunting and caught on quick. He ran around gathering a few eggs, eventually abandoning his basket to go run off in an open field.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVvcPv6AMQNjEC92nc4L1uWnckN9ivaL75tl36RRCYfpZqq93VhaU7x9Z4SngivEGchnP9Ptod9Qtg-tmTAf3ZWdppdLfItCC1QxwzjAWVLuyZX3Ea9y6P93Yo91LuE0hcs1bdg/s1600/easter+%2710+-+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVvcPv6AMQNjEC92nc4L1uWnckN9ivaL75tl36RRCYfpZqq93VhaU7x9Z4SngivEGchnP9Ptod9Qtg-tmTAf3ZWdppdLfItCC1QxwzjAWVLuyZX3Ea9y6P93Yo91LuE0hcs1bdg/s400/easter+%2710+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768807766768978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36sopPQPaR8tL93vWUectzEvvp8Kd59zAGGfNa-pM13ki5f5YilzQkeRcY-xoilVZgkHIJ79jTS73dhgRibWn4WAXkoin8wMQuOHfwl9oTGBZnwdDvaSNyAkmb-0C06vVVi2m9g/s1600/easter+%2710+-+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36sopPQPaR8tL93vWUectzEvvp8Kd59zAGGfNa-pM13ki5f5YilzQkeRcY-xoilVZgkHIJ79jTS73dhgRibWn4WAXkoin8wMQuOHfwl9oTGBZnwdDvaSNyAkmb-0C06vVVi2m9g/s400/easter+%2710+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768818603258306" border="0" /></a><br />We stuck around for a little bit to drink coffee, juice and snack on all of the goodies that people brought to share. Bill had to leave a little early, so we weren't able to hang out that long. It was still a fun morning though.<br /><br />On Easter morning, the boys woke up to baskets filled with board books, sunglasses, coloring books, some Jelly Beans and chocolate. Bill made a big pancake breakfast and we hung out in our pajamas just chillin'. It warmed up a bit in the afternoon and we took a family walk to the park with Rex and the boys riding in Logan's power wheels car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RHtar9npQYv9gPigWYI2c1ap_p22EqN7mc0OIyoCoEmWy_E9oAK0z1ZlqzL8jWxEp7sGGXN2sDCe4_bfIup8vOVRqg2D3BwBkzeskSA7X6k4oCNC4R6LHgqg3fiIfNGJHeWrrw/s1600/easter+%2710+-+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RHtar9npQYv9gPigWYI2c1ap_p22EqN7mc0OIyoCoEmWy_E9oAK0z1ZlqzL8jWxEp7sGGXN2sDCe4_bfIup8vOVRqg2D3BwBkzeskSA7X6k4oCNC4R6LHgqg3fiIfNGJHeWrrw/s400/easter+%2710+-+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768833427374386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ01UdYLZ5M591V53oDgv5iOKdmHPrQyNUxhGVsfosB9bcFNFoz_fI4MDj-zu1MWelRCXALBum_WygYXBmmxMo2rR-6c-F1FnjFbjaKXtbBVt24NAua61ZYQ4nrTegluYUX9H37w/s1600/easter+%2710+-+7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ01UdYLZ5M591V53oDgv5iOKdmHPrQyNUxhGVsfosB9bcFNFoz_fI4MDj-zu1MWelRCXALBum_WygYXBmmxMo2rR-6c-F1FnjFbjaKXtbBVt24NAua61ZYQ4nrTegluYUX9H37w/s400/easter+%2710+-+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768842209837714" border="0" /></a><br />It was such a fun, relaxing, warm way to enjoy the holiday. Happiness, for sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJl5MrC4CurPDNn2uPdfk0Y_JTgN-z4yLdQt7bMQqnadd6laPmCWczQBteHOEIVW5UUbmfQP0zhxNsx8a1C5wlfVSaSjEpOOmcXiI9Eu0_mLhLLJvbl-kELq4fqjECx27OzWSyQ/s1600/easter+%2710+-+9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJl5MrC4CurPDNn2uPdfk0Y_JTgN-z4yLdQt7bMQqnadd6laPmCWczQBteHOEIVW5UUbmfQP0zhxNsx8a1C5wlfVSaSjEpOOmcXiI9Eu0_mLhLLJvbl-kELq4fqjECx27OzWSyQ/s400/easter+%2710+-+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768848069182418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjs8FBb-_ATu-R5uH18_9OhKwkgeUSQuOkuaYe3Cfa6XmmTNIY-yv5D8B7hekYYhKnt3Ap94-j5wFSoJ1fW3UU0qOmk3YEYs8mtidhrzYWPt-DwmTX-vwvfXq1zmghboUH_SAzw/s1600/easter+%2710+-+10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjs8FBb-_ATu-R5uH18_9OhKwkgeUSQuOkuaYe3Cfa6XmmTNIY-yv5D8B7hekYYhKnt3Ap94-j5wFSoJ1fW3UU0qOmk3YEYs8mtidhrzYWPt-DwmTX-vwvfXq1zmghboUH_SAzw/s400/easter+%2710+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768941720685506" border="0" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-33703844734806963912010-03-28T11:23:00.003-06:002010-03-28T12:07:02.300-06:00Projection and prevention at the DentistI've never had a cavity in my life. I've always been proud of that and mostly, because I hate the thought of being drilled in the teeth. Every trip to the dentist was fun because they'd poke around clean a bit and send me off on my way, reminding me to floss more often. <br /><br />Then when I was pregnant with Logan, I developed some serious tooth pain. I went in to get checked out, sure that I had a cavity from being sick all day long for months on end, wearing the enamel on my teeth. Without taking x-rays because of the growing baby Logan, I was told I had six cavities. SIX. Scared to death, I never went back to have them filled after Logan was born.<br /><br />Then, before getting pregnant with Carter, I thought it would be wise to get my teeth checked out again and take care of any problems before going into pregnancy again. At a new dentist, they took x-rays and said that I did not, in fact, have six cavities, but only two. I needed to schedule an appointment to come back. I got the bill and almost fell over. I never went back because I'd have to take out a loan if I had to pay that much.<br /><br />Years went by, kids grew and my teeth were pain-free. Although I had that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that the longer I let these cavities sit, the more likely I'd need a root canal. Yikes. So, taking the recommendation of a friend, I called her dentist to get checked out. <br /><br />The office was great, the staff was friendly. And you know what? I DON'T HAVE A SINGLE CAVITY. Right. I went from six, to two, to ZERO. I think tears welled up in my eyes when my hygienist said I was cavity-free. <br /><br />Those years of living in dental fear prevented me from taking my own kids to the dentist. Afraid that we'd be lied to or trapped in some kind of dental con, I procrastinated on making Logan an appointment. It only exacerbated the already existing Mother Guilt that comes with the job.<br /><br />After my wonderful appointment where my teeth were taken care of rather than my wallet, I felt that fear subside and made Logan his first dental appointment. He went to one of the big pediatric practices here in town and felt safe having a back-up plan. If they said he had any cavities, then I'd take him to my dentist for a second opinion.<br /><br />The pediatric practice is huge and so much fun for the kids. There are video games and climbing structures. It's like a McDonald's play land inside a dental office. They are very efficient and you often times don't have a moment to sit before they are ready for your appointment. Almost to a fault. <br /><br />Logan checked out great. No cavities and very healthy teeth. Although he needs better brushing on his upper front teeth. The dentist also said that Logan will probably need braces in the future and advised me to start saving now. They run about $5,000 (holy crap). Then? He dropped a bomb. Logan has a special dental case....<br /><br />He has an extra permanent tooth.<br /><br />Called a 'Supernumerary' tooth, it's growing on the top front (proximal #G). He's going to have to have it removed when he's about six years old. Poor kid. Apparently they don't see too many of these and it made for an interesting clinical day for the dentist. <br /><br />Other than that little discovery, our visit was fun and stress-free. I hate that I've run into some shady dentists that have tried to drill unnecessarily, risking my health for their padded bank accounts and that creating that fear jeopardized the dental health of my kids. But, all is good now. No cavities, just an extra tooth.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-49401300039047507812010-03-19T11:54:00.004-06:002010-03-19T12:45:00.005-06:00Cat-lessFor months we've discussed the issue of cat allergies at home. Bill is allergic to Kitty and seemed to be getting worse. Sneezing, runny nose, boxes of Kleenex in handy places. His allergies were getting so bad that it interfered with party invitations at people's homes that had cats. We would go only to have Bill become anti-social and in misery from sinus problems. If we go to a party and there's a cat, we end up leaving in a short amount of time, always the first people to leave the party. <br /><br />Logan's allergies have also been getting worse, mostly his eczema. Kitty has been sleeping in his room at night and Logan's legs have been horrible. The other day when I went to wash his sheets, I noticed splotches of blood from him scratching his legs all night long. Then, after an afternoon of driving his Power Wheels car around, he pet a neighborhood cat and huge welts formed on his forehead. I had to accept that Kitty needed a new home. <br /><br />In this months-long process, a good friend of mine offered to adopt Kitty. This was the best option for us. I knew Kitty would be in a fabulous home, plus, we'd be able to see her again when we visit. I couldn't have asked for a better solution. <br /><br />I broke the news to Logan the other night, explaining that Kitty was going to live at his friend's house because he and Dad were allergic to her. "Forever?" he asked. "Yes, forever." I explained. He understood completely and asked if we'd be able to visit. No tears, no concern. He felt good about Kitty living at his friend's house.<br /><br />Last night I packed up all of her things - food, litter box, and extra litter. I got her into her carrier and drove her to her new home. We stood by the kitchen, opened the crate and let her out. She seemed a bit freaked out (because she hates car rides) but felt comfortable enough to jump out and start exploring. Of course, I cried on my friend's shoulder while in a long hug, which resulted in us both crying.<br /><br />Kitty is such a cute cuddle cat, loving to be pet and full of affection. She would sneak into our room at night to sleep next to me like a little live teddy bear. When I was pregnant, she would do her "squishy dance" on my stomach, giving me kitty massages on my sore sternum. As allergies became a bigger problem, I wouldn't be able to pet her as much because then Bill wouldn't be able to touch me.<br /><br />I love cats and I will always love cats. I love them more than dogs, for sure. I will miss having her around the house, but I know this is for the best. So, now we are cat-less.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-80996249090649392092010-03-14T13:47:00.004-06:002010-03-14T14:57:48.239-06:00Parent-Teacher conferenceLast week Logan had his second parent-teacher conference. In his classroom, there is a large round table with his three teachers sitting on one side with a stack of student files and on the other side there are a couple of chairs for the parents. As a parent, this is always an intimidating situation, filled with doubt and subtle hints of guilt, wondering if I've done my job as a mom to a preschooler. <br /><br />His Spring Progress review was handed over, with bill sitting next to me and the boys at the next table over coloring. Each skill is rated with a NY (not yet), P (Progressing or sometimes) or an R (Ready or consistent). <br /><br />For <span style="font-weight: bold;">Autonomy/Social Skills, Work Habits</span>, he scored a few "P's": sits among children remaining in own space, moves cooperatively from one activity to another, cleans up toys and materials.<br /><br />This all sounded so familiar since he's like this at home, too. His teachers emphasized how Logan does not like to clean up and tends to dig his heals in when he decides he doesn't want to do something. <br /><br />For <span style="font-weight: bold;">Oral Language</span>, he scored only one "P": Uses present and past verb tense.<br /><br />I was relieved and almost shocked that his speech development was on track. This is totally my own mommy-guilt from when he was behind on his speech development before. Since then, I seem to be overly concerned that he's getting back to where he needs to be. I know exactly what he's saying, but still get concerned if I have to act as interpreter when he's talking to other adults (and sometimes kids). But, his Dr and his teachers aren't concerned in the least and say he's making great improvements. <br /><br />For <span style="font-weight: bold;">Children's Literature</span>, he scored "P's on: retelling a story that has been read aloud including characters with a beginning and an ending, attends and listens to illustrated picture books, "reads"/tells a story using a picture book.<br /><br />I thought these were interesting because he does this all the time at home, even if he tends to be restless. He's always reading to me or to Carter. But, maybe not a whole story.<br /><br />On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Emerging Literacy Skills</span>, he scored one "P": colors a simple drawing staying within the lines. <br /><br />This boy has never enjoyed art or coloring, and I've never pushed him to stay within the lines (other than on his tracing skills workbook). I'm not surprised at this result at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mathematical Reasoning/Number Sense</span> scores had "P's" on: continues a simple pattern, illustrates the concept of 'put together' and 'take away' with sets of 1-4 objects, names a circle, square and triangle.<br /><br />We don't work on math skills much at home other than counting, so I suppose it's time to start thinking about math! However, he does know his shapes and I have no idea why he's confused about a square - which is the only shape he didn't name for them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Orientation in Time and Space</span> resulted in the first "NY" score: uses a schedule of daily activities represented in images to describe order of events during the day.<br /><br />This. Is. My. Day. "what are we doing today? Where are we going? When are we eating? Is it lunchtime yet? Can I have a snack?" This is constant, no matter what I tell him or how I try to explain it.<br /><br />In <span style="font-weight: bold;">Scientific Reasoning</span>, he scored a "P" on: names body parts.<br /><br />Really? This is a surprise to me! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Music and Visual Arts</span> scores were: "P" on imitates clapping sequence up to 3, cuts a straight line and "NY" on indicates the number of sounds heard up to 4 and draws simple stick figure.<br /><br />Since I don't force him to do arts and crafts stuff, I wasn't aware of the fact that we didn't know how to draw a stick figure. We've been practicing much more and he hates it, but i still don't push.<br /><br />In the comments section, his teachers wrote, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Logan enjoys learning and playing with the other children. He shares his ideas easily. We are looking forward to having Logan in class next year. Thank you for sharing him with us</span>!"<br /><br />His teachers assured me that Logan isn't behind or lacking in skill. His "P" and "NY" grades are developmental rates we shouldn't be concerned over. He's dong very well, has a lot of friends and is apparently quite popular. <br /><br />It's a strange feeling to watch your kids grow up into their own person, and being responsible for their learning and development. There are so many highs and lows and constant wondering if you are doing enough as a parent. It's never perfect, but I think Logan's doing just fine.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-1894381407963818112010-03-09T07:45:00.000-07:002010-03-09T14:22:38.636-07:00Scheduling silenceWow. Who knew that silence was such a precious commodity? My days are filled with chaos. I love the pace of being that busy, although I do need a pajama day every weekend. However, the noise associated with a lifestyle like this is irritating beyond imagination. Don't they use noise as torture? Whoever "they" are. I can see how it would work to break a person to their limits.<br /><br />"MOM! I WANT TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES!"<br /><br />"WWWWAAAAA, BINKI!"<br /><br />"BARK, BARK, BARK!"<br /><br />"MEOW, HISSSSSSS!"<br /><br />Then add in some background noise of cartoons on the TV, the keyboard being left on in the playroom and my email notifications coming through my phone every 10 seconds. Imagine this noise going on for 12 hours straight - from 7am to 7pm until bedtime. <br /><br />It's no wonder I have limited patience and headaches. <br /><br />I try to schedule silence for all of us during the day. Today? It only lasted 18 minutes. 18 minutes of blissful silence, peace and serenity. I guess it's better than nothing. But I need more of it. <br /><br />I'm actually very good at scheduling "me" time. I'm out of the house, doing my thing separate from family and kids, creating a sense of self and accomplishment many times a week. But, there is still an imbalance. I'm so GO, GO, GO that I never schedule a STOP. No meetings, no emails, no talking, no music, no stimulation. I need a moment of nothing. <br /><br />I'm terrible at yoga (which would be perfect for a situation like this) because I can't focus worth a damn. My mind never stops. But, now that spring is approaching with warm, sunny weather where we can enjoy the outdoors again, I'm thinking that it's time to take advantage of the biking system here in town - alone. <br /><br />I'm trying to figure out where to put that in my very tight schedule. I might have to do it in the morning. Maybe a little silence and sunrise would do my mind some good.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-59228166744739754202010-03-08T09:50:00.004-07:002010-03-08T10:38:19.163-07:00Logan's 4 year check-up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n47JNWUuR21scKRO5ZkJhvl6NbfTfZkbP7kmk_RiWtWm9AiZjqSfjXrbF-M0z05p5Aeuyer0FG41lDqR-PTAD8Z_iD7kyjos_Vz4i93IUCuoG4GoQN-SdWjnA4rkYnCTIKNJQA/s1600-h/Logan+Feb+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n47JNWUuR21scKRO5ZkJhvl6NbfTfZkbP7kmk_RiWtWm9AiZjqSfjXrbF-M0z05p5Aeuyer0FG41lDqR-PTAD8Z_iD7kyjos_Vz4i93IUCuoG4GoQN-SdWjnA4rkYnCTIKNJQA/s400/Logan+Feb+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446318456136064626" border="0" /></a><br />He's a tall, skinny kid now. No longer a baby or a toddler, but a big grown preschooler. We sat in the living room together while Carter was napping, taking his "tests". I asked him questions, like "What do you do when you are tired?" and "Tell me things about your ball". We played catch to see if he caught the ball with both hands, watched to see how he threw a ball overhand and hopped on one foot. We put a puzzle together, that was only supposed to be six pieces, but we didn't have puzzles that small. He put a large puzzle together by himself just fine. He copied letters that I wrote on a piece of paper and determined which shapes were the smallest. He told me his first and last name, his age, his address and my phone number.<br /><br />He passed the 48 month Ages & Stages questionnaire with flying colors.<br /><br />At his appointment, he measured 42.75 inches in height (90%) and weighed 39.4 pounds (75%). They checked his BMI (15.1% 25), his vision (20/40) and his hearing (he passed).<br /><br />This was the first appointment where he was actively involved, where Dr. B asked him a slew of questions directly. She asked him about school, where he slept at home, what kinds of healthy foods he ate and checked his spine for scoliosis. The topic of vaccinations never came up, because at this point, she knows better.<br /><br />My only concern for Logan was his ever problematic eczema. His legs are horrible, with red, scratched raw sores. His hips, butt, torso and arms are less so, but still uncomfortable for him. It seems as though we've tried everything - different lotions and creams, bleach baths, and baking soda soaks. Dr. B suggested that he wear a double layer of pajamas - the under layer wet and the top layer dry, to help trap in moisture. Logan was and is still not going for this, concerned that he's going to be cold at night (he's smart, because it does sound uncomfortable). We are going to try out some probiotics before we go down the steroid road.<br /><br />Our long, lanky boy is healthy and strong, growing right on track (despite his continued finickiness at the dinner table). He still drives me insane with back talk, attitude and tantrums, but I guess that's how it still goes with preschoolers (it's no wonder why I have gray hair). His second preschool parent-teacher conference is later this week and I can't wait for that!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-36405135699826023282010-02-23T15:41:00.005-07:002010-02-23T16:37:02.937-07:00Meet RexNot long after we had to put Buddha down, there was talk about getting another dog. I was very reluctant for many reasons. First, Buddha's loss was hard for me. Even though towards the end of his days we weren't the best of pals, he was our first dog from the very first day that Bill and I moved into our apartment together. I think about him and still get choked up (and still teary now as I write about him).<br /><br />Then there was the fact that having a dog is a big responsibility. We now have two kids and I knew that I was going to be the one to take care of the new dog most of the time - house training, stopping them from chewing on Carter's toys, all in between diaper changes and preschool.<br /><br />Bill had been in a funk and we thought that getting a dog would be something to help get him out. Not only that, but Logan CONSTANTLY talked about getting a dog. Last week as he sat on the couch watching cartoons, he turned to me and said, "Mom, I really love the dog we don't have yet." Yeah, that was a big motivator.<br /><br />Bill had been looking through pet ads and animal rescue listings daily. We had talked about it for weeks, maybe even months - about what type of dog, the age of the dog and so forth. One day he came across an ad on Craigslist for some 8 week old Dorgis (Dachshund-Corgi mixes) that a college vet student had as an accident litter from her roommates intact dog. They were cute, they were small and just the kind of dog we were looking for.<br /><br />We took the boys with us after Bill got home from work to see if they liked them and see how friendly the litter was. Logan fell in love instantly, Carter, not so much. We let Logan pick the one he wanted; a small and precious little girl pup who was sweeter than any dog we've had. He wanted to name her "Rex", as in "T-Rex", even though she was a girl. Sure, whatever.<br /><br />We brought her home and she took an instant liking to me (probably because I'm a mom and I knew exactly what she needed. It was just that mom instinct). She was a bit clingy and needy, wanting to be held and cuddled, but you couldn't blame her since she was just a baby with a new family on her first day. As the weekend progressed, she was quick to house-train and soon felt right at home. And Carter finally warmed up to her and accepted her as part of the family.<br /><br />She follows us around the house, cuddles with Bill on the couch at night and runs around with Logan in the back yard, bouncing in the snow like a little bunny. She sleeps on my feet when I work on the laptop and is just way too cute for words. Here, see for yourself...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsazG_G4HEPtceTytJTxmeWWMFDXF5_D00oxESWeGdKbJz4csPr2CgikK49rPr1q7t3tXL9yutYeTFvdqXv_39A3Ee5TwMyJwYedALM422SqmQbhqWjwNRjss1J6FDl_tg6E5jQ/s1600-h/Rex+-+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsazG_G4HEPtceTytJTxmeWWMFDXF5_D00oxESWeGdKbJz4csPr2CgikK49rPr1q7t3tXL9yutYeTFvdqXv_39A3Ee5TwMyJwYedALM422SqmQbhqWjwNRjss1J6FDl_tg6E5jQ/s400/Rex+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441586061888068706" border="0" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-71123374625979291172010-02-19T21:44:00.002-07:002010-02-19T22:48:46.383-07:00Getaway GuiltFor the first time in four years, since we've been parents, Bill and I left the kids at home with a sitter and we spent the night in Denver. We had been talking about doing this for a while, but the problem always came down to finding a sitter. Well, my friend and training client talked about doing trades for overnight babysitting a few months ago. I was game. As long as I could bring my laptop so I could work when her kids were asleep, it would be a piece of cake. <br /><br />Once the date was set, we got a hook up for our hotel room and I started looking for fancy-pants restaurants to go to. Everything was set and the night we were leaving I started dinner and bedtime routines just before my friend came over. <br /><br />And Carter started to get a fever.<br /><br />I had so much guilt and didn't know what to do. We had these plans in place, had been looking forward to this night for so long, my friend was on her way and now Carter was crashing. He only had a low-grade fever, but still. A freakin' fever. <br /><br />My friend arrived and I told her what was up. Having more experience in child care than most people (it's her business) she said that it was cool and told me not to worry. We made a deal - if he started puking, then I'd owe her a weekend (what an awesome friend she is!)<br /><br />It took me the whole drive to Denver to shake that guilt from not only leaving the kids for a night for the first time, but leaving my toddler sick. I knew they were in great hands, but ugh...mom guilt is insane. Once we got to the hotel though, everything was fine and we were ready to have fun.<br /><br />After discovering that I left my toothbrush at home and waiting a ridiculous amount of time for room service to bring one up for me, we left the hotel too late to eat diner at any of the amazing restaurants that I wanted to try. We walked around the corner from the hotel and found a recommended spot - that was a sports grill. As a food writer, I opened the menu and my heart broke. Burgers, fries and the Nuggets game on flat screen TV's when I was looking forward to white table cloths and duck confit. <br /><br />At first I was so upset I was getting angry. I felt a bit cheated. But, I got a martini, thought "what the hell, we're out and no matter what, we'll have fun." Bill suggested a menu item, I got it and we did in fact, have fun.<br /><br />After dinner we took a carriage ride around the 16th street mall and Larimer Square. It was fun and we chatted up the driver while shivering in the cold. We went bar hopping all over, and went to a few clubs. We had an amazing, fun, wild time. Our night ended up being our own version of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119646/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hangover</span></a>, but rather than missing teeth, random babies and a tiger in the bathroom; I had my wallet and phone stolen and a mysterious gigantic bruise on my knee. I guess shots of Patron will do that.<br /><br />We picked up the pieces, canceling our credit/debit cards, bank accounts and putting a security shutdown on my phone. We drove home laughing about what had transpired. It was only a $30-something loss from the thief filling up their gas tank at a gas station. No harm done, really. And I got to upgrade my phone to a Blackberry (something I really needed now that writing is taking off).<br /><br />We got home and the kids were fine. Logan, who I was never really worried about because he can pretty much take care of himself, did very well. Carter was even fine, despite not feeling well (and never threw up). We hung out and cuddled with the boys, watched TV and laughed about our night out. It was a great one night getaway...even if I don't recall the last half. <br /><br />Now we'll see how much getaway guilt I have when we go to Vegas for the weekend. And hopefully I won't find a tiger in the bathroom.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-8162479958490054512010-02-14T11:05:00.005-07:002010-02-14T18:33:56.380-07:00For Everything There is a SeasonWhile waiting for my Pad Thai at one of the Thai restaurants in town that I was reviewing, my friend and I sat there talking about marriage and the troubles we've been through. This was during the time that Bill was away for business in Europe and we were trying to get back on track after a rough couple of months. My friend had shared that she and her husband went through a period of separation and made the comment that every relationship goes through winter, or something like that.<br /><br />That analogy struck a cord with me.<br /><br />I am not a religious person by any stretch of the imagination, but I am an observer of patterns. I often talk about the "pendulum" pattern: when good times turn bad, it will always become good again at some point. Nothing stays the same, there's a yin and yang to every part of life, ebb and flow, even in relationships and especially marriage. A season of winter made so much sense.<br /><br />The turbulent months that we had gone through, mostly from about October/November to the end of January, wasn't because of something that someone was doing or not doing, it wasn't due to a lack of honesty (frankly, those months were the most honest in almost all of our marriage), it wasn't due to crisis. In fact, we had been in crisis mode for years, trying to survive during financial hardships, lawsuits, job changes and in-law problems. While life may not always be peachy keen, it's the best it's ever been and we aren't in crisis mode any longer. It's been an adjustment. We made a good team when confronted with the problems life threw at us, but when in calm waters, we had almost nothing in common. Bill made the comment that he wished we were broke again or facing some kind of traumatic life change, because those were the moments we really supported one another. Those were the times we connected.<br /><br />This right now was winter.<br /><br />Our relationship was dull, dead, gray and cold. There was no passion, no excitement, nothing. I had many aspects in my life that gave me a sense of self and purpose; I had MOMS Club, personal training, writing group, my work as a food writer, nights out with my friends and taking care of the boys. My life was full of a variety of interests and activities, always packed with fun and excitement, but none of it included Bill. He had work and a dying interest in disc golf. He was lost and being so made it even harder for us to find each other in his fog. However, there was still that deep soul-binding connection that wouldn't let us give up (as much as we told each other that we didn't know what to do) and to try as hard as we could to figure out a way to last until Spring.<br /><br />We had a marriage counseling session before Bill left for his long business trip. I expressed my deepest fear of that when Bill was on his own halfway around the world for so long, he would realize life was better without "us" and would want a divorce. We had talked about this together prior to the session, and he assured me then in that room, as he did during our conversations at home, that he wouldn't do that. He was in this for the long haul and would do anything to get us back to a better place.<br /><br />Our counselor reassured me that Bill has tried and continues to try harder than any husband she's worked with before. She also reminded us that despite how we felt, we were in a very lucky spot - trying to improve our relationship to make it amazing rather than healing from trauma. Now that we weren't trying to figure our way out of a problem, we were in the fortunate position to think about fun things to do, together and as a family, that we could find a common interest in - vacations, activities, things we've always wanted to do but were never able to do in the past. It was suggested that Bill come up with a bucket list and find things that he would love to do individually, activities that would give him a sense of self and spark his passions in life.<br /><br />It was the day before Bill left on his trip that we both felt that change for the better. We had been working on communication and rekindling that spark. The timing of his trip was terrible because we wanted so desperately to keep on this without an almost 20 day break. However, that break only made us want to work on our marriage even harder.<br /><br />It was an eye-opening experience for both of us. That trip ended up being similar to a separation, showing us for a brief moment what life would be like without each other, how much the kids would be effected, and really, how much love we had for one another. Our relationship was completely different upon his return.<br /><br />It was Spring.<br /><br />He's been back for only a few weeks and the honeymoon phase has passed, but we are still on good ground. He's sent me flowers from work, we email loves notes to one another and both make an effort to support each other's individual passions. He's been more supportive in my food writing endeavors, attending event dinners that he'd rather not, and buying me books to hone my skills. I've been open to him taking a few hours for himself every week this summer to try out fly fishing and a few weekend camping trips with his friends. We have even thought about trying Krav Maga together as a shared interest (we've yet to sign up). We are working to find that balance of family, marriage and self for each other.<br /><br />We spent a night in Denver away from the kids, the first night we've ever had to ourselves since we've been parents (this totally merits it own post). On our drive home after a wild and crazy night on the town, it was re-confirmed that Bill is my best friend in the entire world. No matter what insanity we go through, he's there with me picking up the pieces and assures me that there's "no harm done" despite my stupid antics. I understood why I try so hard in our marriage to keep this relationship. It's so easy for me to cast someone in my life to the side or abandon them altogether (whatever the reason may be), but Bill is the only person I've ever fought tooth and nail for, tried with all my might and soul. My love for him is so deep.<br /><br />It's important for me to remember this season of winter we lived through, to understand that at some point we will go through summer and autumn and find ourselves cycled in the cold and darkness of winter again. Life is never perfect and it always changes. For everything there is a season.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-360245385787247882010-01-31T22:56:00.002-07:002010-02-04T23:03:10.791-07:00Logan's 4th birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnp0Mj8smQ05q-Ro6dZXpIDPgMHIKQtA2xO6LtM9FPU0o5W5_XxsjgrvVJerpVg6S6PnAViX6unE9DX8SoNXT6Cwg0YfS7TA_dNFFConK34f5CT8ra_Of-y-duAHaV2yHM8j1DQ/s1600-h/Logan's+4th+bday+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnp0Mj8smQ05q-Ro6dZXpIDPgMHIKQtA2xO6LtM9FPU0o5W5_XxsjgrvVJerpVg6S6PnAViX6unE9DX8SoNXT6Cwg0YfS7TA_dNFFConK34f5CT8ra_Of-y-duAHaV2yHM8j1DQ/s400/Logan's+4th+bday+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434633092668810162" border="0" /></a><br />It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years since the day that Logan was born and our life changed instantly. I feel like at this point in motherhood, I've hit my stride. I'm not saying it's easy, but we're in a groove and even with the now 4-year old back talk (that drives me NUTS) we've got a pretty good handle on things.<br /><br />It's about time because the last 4 years have been some of the most challenging, most rewarding, most mind-numbing, most fun years I've had in my life. A mixed bag for sure.<br /><br />We celebrated Logan's birthday with a huge dinosaur-themed party with his friends. This was the first year that we organized games and activities and lunch, rather than just hosting a playtime with snacks and cupcakes. 4 year old's have "real" birthday parties. So, invitations were sent to 20 of his friends and their parents and siblings came along with. We hosted here at home and had close to 40 people in our house. I made cupcakes (the same vegan chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting that I always make for birthdays) with orange frosting because that's Logan's favorite color, then we ordered about 10 pizzas and had both a fruit and vegetable tray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSISOmH6yllOpqNRu5rgEtGy31m6DK2mucvGCzlW4O1wqn5Q9uAvXOpSVfup4oRnYd5P10ouXzuSZ2udAZ_jXUkxd1lVl0e34yGxX33uKuOEJU5DaqLogFePT_babBFCg8OwsteA/s1600-h/Logan's+4th+bday+-+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSISOmH6yllOpqNRu5rgEtGy31m6DK2mucvGCzlW4O1wqn5Q9uAvXOpSVfup4oRnYd5P10ouXzuSZ2udAZ_jXUkxd1lVl0e34yGxX33uKuOEJU5DaqLogFePT_babBFCg8OwsteA/s400/Logan's+4th+bday+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434633048301040610" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone hung around for a while eating lunch and chatting. We're lucky that even though it was a full house, we have enough room to host such a big party without everyone stepping on each other. There were people in the front room, people in the living room, people in the kitchen and people in the playroom. It was full and fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUShGtUlulnes0LjQcpPjMZoLKmATUZSx6RgmwMrPEic4pLPVVOTG6xxQoMcg2JeQHVAq0Vby6mcDCVVMAHOVDd4Ft3sZLjmYbKcVJ1VIdO-vUxN6cvJjWuTSWQDxyN0FnrxP8w/s1600-h/Logan's+4th+bday+-+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUShGtUlulnes0LjQcpPjMZoLKmATUZSx6RgmwMrPEic4pLPVVOTG6xxQoMcg2JeQHVAq0Vby6mcDCVVMAHOVDd4Ft3sZLjmYbKcVJ1VIdO-vUxN6cvJjWuTSWQDxyN0FnrxP8w/s400/Logan's+4th+bday+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434633061947235298" border="0" /></a><br />After we ate, we all gathered in the playroom for a few games. Because this was a dinosaur-themed party, we had a dino dig. Ideally, this would have been done outside in the sand, digging for fossils. But, it's winter, it's cold and snowy and going outside was not an option. I filled Easter eggs with miniature dinosaurs that I found at a party store and put them in an inflatable baby pool and covered them with balls from the ball pit we have. The kids thought it was a blast to jump in and dig for eggs, then announce what dinosaurs they found.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizclp5Q_qwEPAR-DM1FEJdMasS4YAZxcOGmlacOS24RDevB_1GbOR8hl4j0IK-BV6uzb1nFagO6lpRvtqfIjCwAMSSEU__T7RtK720qZNtOak5oiSCNbOtI9y654nzPiAEABTBOg/s1600-h/Logan's+4th+bday+-+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizclp5Q_qwEPAR-DM1FEJdMasS4YAZxcOGmlacOS24RDevB_1GbOR8hl4j0IK-BV6uzb1nFagO6lpRvtqfIjCwAMSSEU__T7RtK720qZNtOak5oiSCNbOtI9y654nzPiAEABTBOg/s400/Logan's+4th+bday+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434633071674949410" border="0" /></a><br />While the kids were patiently waiting for their turn, we had an art corner (that the kids had been at the whole time at the party) where they could color their own T-Rex cut out. The girls especially liked this activity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfLKM6EOeph32aaPBifjox28NFVjaSpt-X11mkn065HrreasUfRhIq1KptfXqFMb6Ki3G__jGOoK_TeXRU_nLZS1dxCtxZ2prtrIkcUGfn1CHCCgXoI5e8eH7NiySCynuhHQJqA/s1600-h/Logan's+4th+bday+-+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfLKM6EOeph32aaPBifjox28NFVjaSpt-X11mkn065HrreasUfRhIq1KptfXqFMb6Ki3G__jGOoK_TeXRU_nLZS1dxCtxZ2prtrIkcUGfn1CHCCgXoI5e8eH7NiySCynuhHQJqA/s400/Logan's+4th+bday+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434633105141232850" border="0" /></a><br />Lastly, we had a pinata. We never found a dinosaur pinata, but Logan had his heart set on getting one, so he picked out a Spider Man pinata. He really wanted this Spider Man pinata, claiming that Spider Man is cool because he goes to the bank to wrestle with bad guys. I gasped at the $20 cost of a dumb pinata to which Logan repeated back to Bill later that day, "Dad, we got a Spider Man pinata! It's $20!"<br /><br />Filled with miniature candy bars, the kids took turns pulling the strings on the pinata to open the trap door (which is much better than handing a bat to a bunch of riled-up 4 year olds). Logan got to go first and it took about 3 or 5 kids to finally get it pulled open with candy falling on top of their heads. They loved it.<br /><br />After the short sugar rush, we all went into the kitchen where we sang happy birthday to Logan. It was a moving moment for me to hear because there were so many people. I felt so fortunate to have so many friends celebrate Logan's birthday with us. All of these friends have been a part of our lives for years since we've moved to our town, seeing them many times a week - at playgroups, preschool, and around town at activities.<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=a4f24f5d000a0c525a7196" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=a4f24f5d000a0c525a7196&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="408" height="382"></embed><div style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt3" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">Make video montages at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br />Even though we weren't planning on it, Logan opened his presents at the party. I think we <span style="font-style: italic;">all think</span> that's the most boring part about a kids' party - but I couldn't be the party Nazi and tell him "No, you can't open your presents." Lame-o mom, I would be. He opened presents that were super cool dinosaur books, awesome cars, and everything a 4 year old boy would love. Afterward, Logan and Carter played with them all together. So cute!<br /><br />All of the kids left with gift "buckets" - small sandbox pails with shovels (for digging for dinosaurs), a growing dinosaur that increases in size when soaking in water, and a wooden dinosaur puzzle or maze that they can color and it will last longer than other cheap gift bag items. And tons of candy from the pinata too.<br /><br />The party was a smashing success and not nearly as crazy as I thought it would be. I told Bill that I hope it's a birthday that Logan remembers, not because I was up cleaning the house until 1am the night before, or spending so much time putting it all together - but I hoped he remembered it because it was fun. It was happy. It was awesome.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-35944556486512801622010-01-22T13:25:00.004-07:002010-01-22T15:02:05.102-07:00Where our life was different for a month and could have been different foreverThese weeks in January had us living our lives differently more than any other time before. Bill's official title at work is "Business Development Executive" and this title comes with business trips. In the last year he would go to places in the US - New York, California, sometimes somewhere up in Canada and I think Mexico once. These trips are typically short, a few days, never more than five and they are sporadic, having him away every few months or so.<br /><br />January, however, left us separated for almost the entire month. This was by far the longest he had ever been away and the farthest he's ever traveled. He handles their International accounts, so after a week in Vegas, he was off to London, Oslo, Frankfurt, Hoegaarden and Brussels.<br /><br />Being used to business trips, I knew I'd be able to handle things on my own here at home. With our busy schedule, we'd continue our days of preschool, playgroups, activities and training at the gym. I have an amazing group of friends and network here, so I really wouldn't be on my own all the time.<br /><br />Logan, being older, understood more than ever what a business trip was and handled it very well. He was interested in all of the places around the world and was curious about the countries his Dad was visiting. So, we bought a large wall map and every day that Bill was in a new country, we put a tack on the map. He actually started to name the cities Bill was in. While Logan talked about missing his Dad and wished for him to be home, understanding where he was made the month so easy and exciting for him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMChfbUySbyIzIvLRcaBIIZceGjmSdmpj_CwEEb6j2r6k9-7D6auV0RFVVRDf79pM-Vi-gf3gWnhWAJr36yrVnk8rP0rBto2FbhSMcfwHTYXjgetQLKLAbVjnawUod9aPb7L6hQ/s1600-h/Jan10-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMChfbUySbyIzIvLRcaBIIZceGjmSdmpj_CwEEb6j2r6k9-7D6auV0RFVVRDf79pM-Vi-gf3gWnhWAJr36yrVnk8rP0rBto2FbhSMcfwHTYXjgetQLKLAbVjnawUod9aPb7L6hQ/s400/Jan10-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429687482910811106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YUwkWjDVQv0t4cEfMyr-xxgAoUKMn2P8y7bODYSnjkJH_OcEgdmmS4BgSponjwjA1T9tm0QSKlyvaKxY2V0sd8ioYwgG3yIP6H7zLJSJ9-Vx7-Xv17Fy0DLyuUR3_TWPmATj3A/s1600-h/Jan10-+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YUwkWjDVQv0t4cEfMyr-xxgAoUKMn2P8y7bODYSnjkJH_OcEgdmmS4BgSponjwjA1T9tm0QSKlyvaKxY2V0sd8ioYwgG3yIP6H7zLJSJ9-Vx7-Xv17Fy0DLyuUR3_TWPmATj3A/s400/Jan10-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429687492670636866" border="0" /></a><br />Not only did Logan have a chance to learn a bit about geography to help him during this time away, but we skyped with Bill as often as we could when we found a moment in the afternoon (which was late at night on his side of the world). The boys both thought this was hysterical, Logan dancing around and Carter waving excitedly. It was cute.<br /><br />After three days of Bill being away, it started to get old. The kids were great, no massive tantrums or acting out because of the change. They were as perfect as they could be. And Logan? He had some kind of attitude adjustment, being considerate, listening to directions and mostly agreeable, more than he's ever been in his life. It was awesome. But still, it wasn't the same with Bill gone.<br /><br />And then halfway through the month, the kids got sick and we had to stay at home for days. Logan missed a day of school, Carter missed playgroup, we missed a birthday party, training at the gym and all of the activities we had planned. The total isolation along with the unrelenting effort of being on my own caused me to breakdown in tears all day last Saturday. Carter was missing his Dad as well, clearly upset as he walked around the house pointing to all of the family pictures we have on the walls and then pointing to the front door, wishing his Dad would come home. This broke my heart. It only made me cry more that day. We also had a quick moment to talk with Bill on skype on this day, which ended up being a terrible idea. I just sobbed, Carter cried and Bill talked to Logan about giving me more hugs when I was upset. It was a mess.<br /><br />The next day my lovely, lifesaving friends came to my rescue. We had a play date in the morning where the boys had a great time playing, Logan chatting up a storm since he had been stuck inside too and a chance to get some adult conversation for me as well. Another friend offered to watch the boys for a few hours later that afternoon while I got a break and had some time to myself. I walked around the mall with a coffee in hand and a moment to breath. This recharged my batteries, leaving me feeling like a brand new person the next day and able to keep on single parenting for another week without feeling so dragged down.<br /><br />Near the end of Bill's trip he let me know that there was a possibility (a very real chance) that we might be relocated...to Cork, Ireland. His company is beginning to move Internationally and will build and office there this year as well as in China. I thought about moving the kids to a new country halfway around the world, away from all of our friends, our support system, my work as a food writer and everything that we have built in the years we've lived in our town. We have it made here and life is wonderful. It made my stomach drop to think about leaving it all, but on the flip side, it would be a great adventure and we'd be away from the in-laws (which would be the BEST OUTCOME EVER).<br /><br />After almost 20 days away, Bill came home late Wednesday night. In the 10 plus years we've been married, I'd never been so excited to see him. It was similar to the feelings we had while dating. I missed him so much and our family just didn't feel right being split like we were for so long. The boys were in bed when he got home and the hugs and kisses after he walked through the door were surreal. Tired from being up for 24 hours due to meetings and traveling back to the US, still, one of the first things he talked about was our potential move to Ireland.<br /><br />After much though on his travels away, he withdrew his name from the opportunity. It was shocking to me considering the fact that I had been mentally preparing myself for this big change, a huge upheaval for our family, when it sounded like it was almost certain. The next morning at work, they had meetings about the next steps to take Internationally and made the decision on who would move to Ireland since it wasn't us.<br /><br />Our lives were very different for many weeks this month, giving us a chance to think about many things (and believe me, there will be a lengthy post about our marriage). Our family was <span style="font-style: italic;">this close</span> to being turned upside down and all around. An interesting January, for sure. The rest of the remaining weeks we get back to normal, but now it's the beginning of a new normal. A better normal.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665812.post-69273827547960254862010-01-17T19:54:00.003-07:002010-01-17T20:41:17.811-07:00What's up, Buttercup?Ooooo, boy! Do I have a lot to write about. There are quite a few newsworthy posts lined up, but unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to write about them yet. Sad, isn't it!? After weeks (months) of being too busy to really write on here or lacking the motivation to come up with something readable, now I have BIG NEWS and have to keep my mouth shut. Next week, my friends, next week.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988190251156621315noreply@blogger.com5