Lost Creek Wilderness

So the Tuesday before Memorial Day weekend, Clint announced that he wanted to go camping. One of the guys at work had told him about this beautiful place only an hour or so away. Since it was National Forest we could camp wherever we wanted and we would only have to hike in about a mile!!!! Usually, I am a good sport about these kinds of things. We have taken both kids on backpacking trips before and we all have a good time. Being 36+ weeks pregnant, I was not quite so accommodating this time. We compromised on a day trip with some hiking. After all, Clint's friend had said that it was pretty flat and a blog Clint had found said that the scenery was spectacular just over a mile into the hike. After driving on an isolated dirt road through a burned up forest for nearly an hour, we finally found our destination. We were sure we would find solitude, but were shocked to find the parking lot completely full and many cars parked alongside the road. Encouraged that the scenery really did justify the bumpy, dusty ride to get there, we headed off through the burned forest.

We only had to hike a quarter mile before we got into the forest. It was beautiful, but hardly flat! Both kids are good hikers, especially if you have all day.

Haden tried to collect every stick, pine cone, or rock he passed. Regan picked a beautiful bouquet of dandelions for me. Clint tried to hurry their pace, but was not too successful, although M&M's do wonders when it comes to bribing the kids to race to the top of hill!

Nearly 2 miles into the hike we passed a couple who said that we were only half way to the fabulous views. The kids were getting bored hiking and I was running out of energy, so we turned around. Clint had brought his fly rod, so we had a picnic and unsuccessfully fished. The wind picked up just as Clint started his first cast. Hiking out, Haden found a pile of crushed pine cones. He and Regan had the best time throwing it up in the air and letting it fall back down on them! They would have stayed there for a long time, but, with the promise of ice cream in Deckers, the kids made it back to the car in record time.

We'll have to try the trip again next year. Maybe this time we'll even get to backpack in and stay overnight!
What I wouldn't give for even half of Haden's energy. This picture was on the way to the car after 4 miles of hiking!!

The Butterfly Pavilion

Regan's final preschool field trip was to The Butterfly Pavilion. She hates bugs, but since Fancy Nancy had fun at the Butterfly Pavilion, Regan was very excited to go. Rosie, the tarantula, lets visitors hold her. Even though Regan's friends both let Rosie crawl across their hand, Regan refused to have anything to do with her. Peer pressure didn't even phase her. This was as close as Haden would get to any of the spiders-I don't blame him-this one was nearly the size of his head!
Neither kid was intimidated by the crab or the starfish that are available for kids to touch. I think the employee cringed every time Haden wiggled his way in between all the big kids to the front row so he could touch the starfish. He knows how to be gentle, but just needs a lot of reminders!

The kids were so funny in the Butterfly room. Regan's friend, Caroline, had been there a few weeks before with her grandpa, who is an entomologist. He had taught her that by holding out her hand and waiting patiently a butterfly would be more inclined to land on her hand. Caroline quickly explained this to Regan and Haden. All three kids would hold out their hands, say something to each other about having to be patient before losing interest ten seconds later with one butterfly and run off in search of another one.

They were eventually successful and both girls got to hold a butterfly! Regan would jump the first few times the butterfly stepped on her hand, but finally got used to it. The little stinker refused to look at the camera regardless of my cajoling.
Haden ran out of patience shortly after Regan's butterfly flew away and kept demanding to go home "right now!" until he found the crayon rubbings of different insects he could do. Thirty minutes and a thick stack of pictures later, I hauled him out yelling that he wasn't done yet.
On the way home, Regan insisted on calling her dad to tell him that she got to hold a butterfly! The trip was a success!

The Gift of Life & Breath

There are a handful of races that Clint does every year. The Gift of Life & Breath 5K is one of them. It is held at the Anschutz Medical Campus. This is the first year Regan & I didn't run as well so we got to cheer him on at the finish line. He was awesome, finishing in 21:37, 15th place overall, and the first stroller to cross the finish line (not that there was a stroller division)! After the race, the kids had so much fun exploring the huge doors that decorate the campus. Regan was a little bummed that she wasn't able to run as well, but is looking forward to competing in a couple of races this summer.

Regan's Recital

Regan had her ballet recital to conclude this semester of ballet. The theme was "Pocahontas." Regan was so worried, not about forgetting her dances, but that her dad would forget to bring her flowers. Luckily, Clint didn't forget and Regan remembered her dance steps. Regan cannot wait for ballet to begin again!

Where has the time gone?

It seems like my kids are growing up even faster this year than in previous years. Last fall, Haden was still a baby. Now, he flies around the corners on Regan's outgrown tricycle, sometimes on two wheels. He loves to cook and can crack eggs unassisted with little or no eggshell dropping in and will tell me to be careful at the stove or when using a knife so I don't get hurt. Haden tells knock knock jokes that he has come up with on his own. I am not sure what is more amusing, the ridiculous not funny jokes or his reaction to them. He has opinions on everything and will regularly say or do things to harrass both Regan and Clint (like "dad runs slow").

Haden was yelling that he was stuck. He is very good at climbing up-not so much at climbing down. Immediately after I took the picture, he got the lid off the tylenol. He likes the taste and will tell me that he is "hot" and needs some.

Regan is all about fashion. She will regularly change outfits 5-6 times a day. Her cowboy boots are her favorite accessory and she rarely goes anywhere, including ballet, without them. After shopping trips she models each outfit and insists that I take her picture to send to her favorite aunt so she can admire them as well. Last week, after noticing my boring gray T-shirt, she said, "Mom, I am really not in love with your shirt. Can you change?" She loves art projects and goes through many rolls of tape decorating her room with her creations. Her barbies keep her occupied for hours a day and she has recently started painting her own fingernails and toenails. She is definitely four going on sixteen!

What happened to my little kids?

Sledding at Daniel's Park

This past weekend we got a bunch of snow dumped on us. We had yet to take the kids sledding this year, so we piled in the car and headed to Daniel's Park. Although the snow was heavy and wet, the view was spectacular. The park was empty and didn't have a great sledding hill. Luckily, the kids liked having Clint pull them around. That is, until he took a sharp corner and dumped Regan. Thankfully, she recovers quickly!

Is it a boy or a girl?

Regan and Haden are expecting a new sibling to arrive toward the end of June. Both kids are VERY excited. Regan's eyes were huge the first time she felt the baby move! (It didn't just move, it was more like a somersault.) Regan insists that it is a dancing baby just like she was. We had to dance with her to keep her quiet, merely holding her while standing or swaying back and forth were not adequate. I sincerely hope this is NOT a dancing baby! Haden frequently kisses my belly and pats it lovingly. I hope that he is still affectionate towards the baby after it comes!

We have started getting some of the baby stuff out in hopes that the novelty of these new things will wear off by the time the baby comes, but we aren't having much success. Why is a bassinet so exciting? I wonder what the weight limit is?

Forney's Transportation Museum

Regan's preschool studied trains during March and went on a field trip to Forney's Transportation Museum. They have several trains, lots of old cars, old motorcycles, and some unusual bikes. The kids were allowed to climb on several of the cars. The Jeep was far and away Haden's favorite. Regan liked the 4 person bicycle (just like in Purplelicious!) and thinks her dad should start riding one with a huge front tire and a little back tire! Regan's teacher gave each kid a whistle when we were done exploring that they could blow all the way home! (They have since disappeared.)This was Amelia Earhart's car that she drove from Los Angeles to Boston in 1924. It took six weeks and was apparently unheard of at the time.

The Downtown Aquarium

Regan's preschool class studied the ocean during January and went on a field trip to the aquarium. Since we were dealing with stomach flu, I promised her that we could go when we were healthy. Clint had a meeting downtown last Friday and was able to meet us there. Both kids were having a good time until we came to the desert section of the aquarium. They have a display to demonstrate what a flash flood in the desert is like, complete with thunder and lightening. Regan and Haden are both terrified of the dark and loud noises. Regan was screaming within seconds of the first thunder bolt. Haden lasted a little longer, but not much. It took a while for them to calm down.

Regan liked the seahorses, starfish, and jellyfish, but couldn't leave the tiger fast enough. Haden had fun being so close to all the fish.

Afterwards, we stopped at the restaurant for lunch. Haden was shoveling straight butter into his mouth-who needs bread? Both kids loved the huge brownie. It was delicious! It was fun to be able to spend the morning together before Clint had to go back to work.

Chilly Cheeks #2

Clint signed up to compete in three duathlons (running & biking) held during the winter at Cherry Creek State Park. This one was the second, but the first where we went to cheer him on. It was also the first where Clint had a buddy to compete against. It was very cold! Rather than play on the toys, both kids wanted to go to the car. We waited until Clint's first transition, took his picture and then made for the car.

We had conveniently parked along the race course, so we could stay warm and still take pictures. It wasn't long before the kids became bored and stole the camera. I love seeing what they deem important enough to take a picture of!

Even though it was cold, everyone had fun. (Luckily, they served hot chocolate-I think Regan drank 3 cups by herself!) Despite Clint being so humble, I think he was rather smug when the results came out and he had beaten his friend!