Pre-school part 2

Ilon started her 2nd year of preschool, she will be going every day and is completely excited. Her August birthday means that she has to wait another year for kindergarten but she gets to be line-leader and bring snacks the 1st day so all is well in her world. And I get her for an extra 1/2 a day for another year, so all is well in my world too.

We get to spend time with Gabriel, by himself, that we haven't done much at all! We had a date to the library and park, 2 of his favorite places.

Ilon and Gabe's pretend camping, it's become a daily game.

And this. I got a book at a community function on how to talk to your kids about drugs. There is a section, an entire section, on talking to your PRESCHOOLER about drugs. I am not excited about this new phase of life. My kids are the ones above; camping, drinking hot chocolate, throwing rocks, eating rocks. But I'm pretty sure that's how most other kids start out too. So I will be talking to them about drugs. And I'll probably arrange a "take your child to work day" when I have a 16 yr old OD on heroin, or a 21 yr old going through alcohol withdrawals. It doesn't hurt to know what you'd be getting into.

I might wait a few years on that last part, but my kids will absolutely know about drugs. I'll probably stop just short of telling them how to make them. And then we'll probably keep loving the heck out of them, because I think that's probably a big factor in the decision making later on. And then we'll probably pray our asses off and hope for the best.

Goodnight Alamosa.

I remember writing a nice little blog post about how much I love my job. So just to make sure we're all on the same page, let me clarify.

It's a love/hate kind of thing.

I do not like getting called in at 2am. I do not like getting called in at 2am. I do not like getting called in at 2 am. I don't get paid enough to get called in at 2am. That sounds awful, right? Because I'm 100% sure that the people I'm being woken up for in the middle of the night also do not like going to the ICU at 2am.

It's a love/hate kind of thing.

At least I get to come home to this.

The last couple of days...

Fresh fruit and veggies from the Colorado Local Market!

We used them to make stuffed mushrooms, a recipe from http://traceyphotoaday.blogspot.com. Thanks Tracey, it was delicious!

We've been enjoying the summer weather before school starts again...

Sitting on the porch in the rain, perfect spot to work.

The park and the college while it's still quiet!

Strawberry Shortcake extravaganza

We had a birthday breakfast for Ilon starring one of her all time favorites, Strawberry Shortcake. We ate cinnamon rolls and strawberry muffins, pinned the strawberry on the vine, busted a pinata, played dress-up and opened some great presents.

Aaron was our balloon man, and did the sidewalk chalk version of Miss Shortcake. He's quite the party guy!

Denver Birthday Bash!

We went to Denver this weekend to be with family and have an early birthday celebration for Ilon. She is turning 5! It was a packed weekend and we all enjoyed it!

Friday night at the Rockies game

Saturday morning getting ready for Water World!

The kids swam their little hearts out and braved the water slides and the adults happily accompanied. We had beautiful Denver weather and escaped without any sunburns.

The little trooper, snoozing in the shade.

We had a great dinner with lots of family from Aaron's side that we haven't seen in a long time.

Nam and the cousins!

The kiddos eyeing the castle cake

Ilon was in her element with dress-up clothes, friends, and dancing. Happy early birthday honey!

This was our lovely welcome party, who moved in over the weekend and ate all my flowers.

And this little guy, who was not so fortunate as the deer.

We had a wonderful time and are glad to be home and now pet (pest)-free.

Thanks Nam and Walt for hosting a herd of family, Kim and Dave for a great dinner, and all the family that came to help us celebrate!