Obsessed

Lila is obsessed, absolutely obsessed with brushing her teeth! She is the first one that comes running when I call the kids to come brush their teeth. And she is laughing the whole way. She has to hold both her toothpaste and her toothbrush. I am not allowed to help. When she has sucked all the toothpaste off her toothbrush, she hands her toothpaste and then toothbrush back to me so I can put more on for her. Still laughing. If I don't give the toothpaste back she will yell and point until she gets her own way. She lets me know that it is not acceptable to simply run her toothbrush under water; it has to have more toothpaste. When she brings me her toothbrush after 5+ times of adding a tiny bit of toothpaste, I tell her she is done. She angrily throws both her toothbrush and her toothpaste. It is rather funny to watch. When she realizes what she has done she quickly retrieves them both and runs off looking for another sucker to put more toothpaste on her toothbrush. Her toothbrush has accompanied us on many car rides, to school, church, and many shopping trips. She is truly ridiculous! I hope her obsession with clean teeth lasts!

Camping

Despite overcast skies, no reserved campsite, and not being able to leave until 5, I was determined to take the kids camping at least once this year. We weren't really sure where we were going to go, but figured something would work out. Regan said that she wanted to go somewhere she hadn't gone before if she had to go at all. (She had gotten her American Girl doll an hour or so before we headed out and was not happy about having to leave her!) Clint had taken his scouts to Buffalo Creek several times and even though there was a campground, you could also camp wherever you wanted. Which was nice since I was sure all the campgrounds were full. After driving through a rainstorm and wondering if we were crazy for camping, we found a decent place to pitch our tent. We started the fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids slept as well as I expected they would. The next camp out, though, I will take the bigger tent. Five people in a 3 man tent is just too many!

Lila absolutely loved running around! Until it got dark, and she stumbled over a rock she didn't see. Her little face was completely covered in dirt and mud. It took several baby wipes and quite a bit of yelling to get her remotely clean.

You can still see the dirt in her nose. Poor girl! Her nose and cheek now have several scrapes.

Since we were not in a campground, there were no bathrooms. Clint took Haden and Lila with him. Regan came with me. After several attempts to get positioned correctly, she decided that she didn't really have to use the bathroom after all and could wait until tomorrow.

I think she was a little confused about where she was when she woke up.

Regan and Haden couldn't get dressed fast enough. They loved exploring! Regan said that even though she really missed her doll, she had a lot of fun!

It is kind of hard to roll up the tent with Lila sitting on it! She has a knack of knowing exactly what I am trying to do and what she needs to do to stop it from happening!

On the way home, we stopped at Pine Valley Ranch Park. It was beautiful (and had a bathroom). The kids loved exploring the area and throwing rocks into the lake.

I realized that they love exploring the mountains. They just don't like hiking on a trail someone else made. They would much rather blaze their own at their own pace.

I think Lila could play in the dirt all day!

Haden found what he said was a giraffe-shaped log and it had to come home with us.

The kids LOVED camping and cannot wait until we go again!

Haden's 1st day

I wish Haden's first day of preschool had gone as smoothly as Regan's. He told me when he first woke up this morning that he was not going to go to school. I had him convinced that he was by the time we had to leave. He bravely walked into his classroom and played with the toys until it was time for me to leave. Then he lost it. I hesitantly left anyway. The teachers were very patient with him. There were kids howling in every classroom. All of us parents were hanging out in the hall giving reports on each other's children so our own kids couldn't see us. He calmed down after 30-45 minutes and then played happily for the rest of the day. We brought the snack, so he helped get everything ready, had a great time on the playground (I was across the street in the car spying on him.), and was participating with Mr. JP (his teacher) in group at the end of the day. The teachers said he was great after he calmed down.

Haden was all smiles and had a positive report when I picked him up and didn't even mention the crying to me. He even said he couldn't wait to go to school again tomorrow. I hope so!

Yes, I know his outfit doesn't match at all. He likes to pick his own clothes and I am only willing to fight about it on Sunday. He loves his camouflage shorts, his bright green recycling Tshirt, he insisted on those socks because they are camouflage and match his shorts and those shoes, since they are his new school shoes. He got to pick out new clothes for school, too, but, for some reason, he won't wear them yet.

Regan is a 1st grader!

Regan started 1st grade yesterday. To say she was excited would be an understatement. She has been counting down the days since before she graduated from kindergarten last year. School clothes shopping with Regan was a lot of fun. I think it is hilarious how excited she gets about clothes and accessories! In the store, she would select a shirt/skirt/necklace/shoes and say, "Mom, don't you think this will look super cute with my....". She so didn't inherit that from me! She insisted on a new backpack because her kindergarten backpack had princesses on it, and she has "outgrown" princesses. She could not wait to select her first week's outfits, necklaces, headbands and all!

Regan was thrilled to have two of her good friends in class with her. Friends always make a school year better. I felt kind of silly, though. In Regan's IEP meeting last spring, the social worker suggested that she be put in a class with at least one of her friends. Regan tends to be shy in unfamiliar situations and friends help off set that. So, when the class assignments came out, and Regan wasn't with her friends, I talked to the administration and had her class rearranged. Her new teacher was told it was because Regan was shy. Well, today, her teacher, Ms. Mramor, told me that she is absolutely not shy. She quickly let her know that her name only had one "a" in it and had no problem participating. I am still unsure what I think about a teacher who misspells a student's name and then just scribbles out the extra letter. So, I am sure the teacher thinks I am one of "those" parents, but oh well. Regan loves having friends in her class. I hope it is a positive experience for her.

I think I was more nervous than she was, thinking of all the "what ifs" that could happen. She has never been away from me for that long, that many times a week! The first day was great. She had so much fun and wasn't confused about anything. Haden, however, was a mess without Regan. He missed her so much! Thankfully, he starts school tomorrow!

I can't believe Regan is in 1st grade! She is growing up so quickly!

Last weekend of summer

Last weekend I dragged the kids on a hike. They don't really like hiking. Yet, anyway. So I planned this weekend for them. We spent Friday night at a movie in the park. They had fun, but only half way watched Fern Gully. The popcorn kept Lila completely occupied. She insisted on holding the bag and would only occasionally let someone get a handful. It was funny to watch Haden get after her so he could get a handful. Next time I will have to make two bags.

Saturday we spent at Aurora Reservoir. I don't know why we have never been there! The kids loved it! I forgot to bring sand toys, but the kids are very resourceful.

Haden quickly made this friend...

...and then helped himself to all of his toys.

Regan wished she would have brought her goggles although she still went under the water, and practiced her back float. She loves to lay in the sun!

It took Lila a while to get used to walking on sand and in the water, but she was soon capable. She also would help herself to whatever toys she thought looked like fun. She has a thing for balls these days.

It was a fun afternoon. Clint is the only one who came away with a sunburn. We are definitely going to go again!

Swimming Lessons

Regan finished her 1st summer of swimming lessons! And she puts her face in the water! Willlingly! And jumps off the diving board! Willingly! Kelly was wonderful with her. And some of it might have to do with the American Girl Doll she was bribed with, but still! At the beginning of the summer, Regan would not put her entire face in the water. She would sob (I'm not exaggerating) if I dripped water on her face while I was washing her hair until she got a towel to wipe it off. Now she sticks her entire head under the water and comes up smiling!

Regan is all the way under water!

Kicking with her face under!

And jumping off the diving board. She says she loves jumping off!

I let her take the waterproof camera on the last day. Regan is still getting used to going all the way under for any amount of time, making getting a picture slightly difficult!

Haden, on the other hand, had a little bit of a rough time. He was doing great. And then he got pushed into the deeper part of the hot tub where he is about 4 inches too short. It took me a couple of seconds to pull him out, but the damage was done. My poor little guy is now terrified of the water. He screamed every time it was his turn for swimming lessons and refused to get in the pool. He still tells me that I should have run faster. Gratefully, he is fine, as long as he can touch the bottom. But until he can overcome his fear, swimming lessons are not going to happen. I don't blame him at all, I still have nightmares about it too! I tried bribing him as well, but he said he would rather do something else, like be nice to everyone to earn his prize. Maybe next year will be better.

Doctor Report

Regan and Lila both got to go to the doctor this summer for their annual check up. I couldn't remember if Regan was due for any shots, so when the nurse told her she was good, Regan jumped up and down, cheering in relief. She is terrified of shots. When it's time for flu shots, I have to take Clint with us to help. Last year, he had to chase her around and around the room. If it wasn't so frustrating, it would be pretty funny! Regan weighed in at 47 lbs (62%) and is 3 ft 10.5 in (67%). She is getting so big!

Regan still loves Taylor Swift. She now likes to stand on the end table and sing her heart out as she strums on her guitar. She says it is her stage. I think it might be because if she stands on the end table, she can watch herself in the mirror on the other side of the room. She might be a little vain! She saw this dress in the mall last fall and begged for it. She calls it her Taylor Swift dress and wears it every time she is "rocking out".

Lila had to get 5 shots, poor little girl. I hate holding her down. Before we had any kids, Clint agreed to take care of all shots. And he was true to his word, until he got a job. He just can't take off every time there is a doctor appointment. So, I held my furious, screaming little girl down while the nurse proceeded to poke her. Why can't they come up with oral vaccinations for everything? Lila weighed 20 lbs 12 oz (33%) and was 29.5 inches tall (46%).

Within a week of Lila learning to walk, she was running! Although she has a collection of bruises and skinned knees, she doesn't slow down. Her hair is always a little out of control. She loves throwing everything and the sandbox is one of her favorite places to play. She likes to let the sand sift through her fingers above her head. It gets in her hair, all down her back, and into her diaper. I hope she outgrows this phase soon! She is one tough little girl!

Hiking Burning Bear Trail

I realized last week that we had yet to make it to the mountains this summer! So, Friday night, I found a trail that I wanted to check out. Burning Bear is off Guanella Pass. The reviews said it was beautiful, family friendly, and not too far away. The kids were excited. They were finally going to be able to use their Camelbaks. (Although Regan said she was going to carry a water bottle in hers instead of using the reservoir because the water tastes "nasty". She changed her mind when Clint filled it up with fresh ice water.) Saturday morning we headed out. We found the trail head without any problem and set out. My kids are traditionally good hikers, but that day, they were whining and complaining half a mile in. Apparently, we need to go more! We did finally manage to make it three miles. Haden wanted to be carried and Lila wanted to walk. It was a very beautiful trail, and flat too! At least the part that we hiked. There was a campground, as well. Hopefully, we can go back before our summer is over.

The novelty of Lila's new pack quickly wore off. Maybe Clint should pack earplugs next time! This girl has a fabulous set of lungs and a very loud voice!

Regan insisted on being in the lead. Luckily, Haden had no problem being in the rear. He quickly surrendered his Camelbak to me saying that it was just too heavy for him and then filled his pockets to the brim with rocks.

Lila loved being out of her pack, but was a little unsteady on her feet. She isn't used to uneven ground yet.

We took a break for snacks. Regan is always so good to take care of Lila.

I love how Lila is peeking over Clint's shoulder. Somehow she kept managing to lean to the side of the pack making hiking with her difficult.

I know picking wildflowers in frowned upon, but it kept Regan hiking. She loved finding different flowers for her bouquet!

Lila finally fell asleep.

The kids were waiting for us as we examined the map at the trail head. There were an awful lot of people taking another trail and we wanted to see where it went.

On the way home, we stopped at one of our favorite parks. Lila was perfectly content to play in the dirt. Most particularly, to dump it on her head and her shoulders. I thought that was a boy thing? She was a horrible mess when we left the park and got to ride home in her diaper.

I definitely need to get my kids to the mountains more!