A conversation with Babes

We were watching Shawn play hockey tonight and during the game he scored a goal.  I leaned over to Babes and said
Me:  Daddy did a great job I sure do love your Daddy. 
Babes:  I love Daddy too (pause) I love everybody
Me:  I know you are such a sweet girl
Babes:  I really love Chee-toos
Me:  laugh yah they are good


Later in the game a guy on the other team was put in the penalty box for high sticking Shawn.  Babes saw the guy do it and this is how it went
Babes:  that guy just hit my Daddy with his stick
Me:  Yes he did now he is in the penalty box
Babes:  arms crossed mean face, I do not like that guy hitting my Daddy
Me:  I don 't either Babes, if I see him later I am going to tell him not to hit your Daddy with his stick
Babes: gasp, no Mommy don't do that
Me:  Why Babes?
Babes:  because he is mean don't talk to him Mommy
 Me:  laughing I guess you are right Babes I won't tell him
Babes:  good Mommy

So tough, sweet, and loyal to the ones she loves.

Melt a Mama heart moment

Tonight Symeon and Marin are playing soccer.  Symeon is a bit faster with the ball and scores more goals so at one point Marin sat down and told Symeon she was not a good soccer player so she didn't want to play anymore. 

Symeon came in to tell me that Marin was sitting out and did not want to play soccer since she didn't think she was any good.  I told him sometime when people are learning things they need to be encouraged. 

A few minutes later I looked out the door and overheard them talking to each other. 

Symeon:  Marin you are a really good soccer player.
Marin:  No brudther I am not a good player
Symeon:  Leaning in close to her ear he says Babes you are incredible
Marin:  I am?
Symeon: Yup do you want to play soccer?
 Marin:  Stands up and singing onto the field I am an incredible soccer player


They gave each other a hug and a kiss on the check and the game began again.  A shed a few tears for the tender hearts they have for one another. 

Marin's best friend

Marin has a best friend and her name is Sophia.  They are just a few months apart and they have been buddies since we moved here and Marin and Sophia were both about 18 months old.  Last month Sophia celebrated her 3rd birthday and we were all so happy to celebrate this sweet girl who I pray her and her parents will be life long friends to us and our children.  Thanks for having us Betty and Alvaro it was so much fun! 

 Two sweet girls.  Sophia picked out a crown that matched hers for Marin so they could be twinsies. Marin picked out matching shirts for them as part of Sophia's present, so sweet they had each other in mind!

 Here they are watching the pinata together.  

Marin was right there to help her best buddy with her cake!  Every time I looked for Marin she and Sophia were together hanging out. 

Park Hill Pirates

Symeon has moved on from FAB 4 soccer for four year olds and is now in U5 which is under five but turning 5 this school year and his team is the Park Hill Pirates.  He loves it and I  must confess we do as well.  We were a bit worried at first since U5 is a practice a week and a game every Saturday.  Until this point we have avoided all Saturday activities since we are not great in the morning and we have to get up and get going most weekdays Saturday has been the one slow going day.  With this said we have enjoyed the ritual of the morning some cleaning low key relaxed, the game, and then brunch out at our local place.  Very fun. 

We have found that Symeon loves defense.  We did not expect this since he usually wants the ball but when it comes time for the game he fully understands that if you don't play defense the other team will score and he does not like that at all.  He will go after the ball but  he is also content to be part of a team which is awesome.  He passes well, moves to the open spot, and cheers for his teammates as if he scored himself.  There are a great group of parents and beside the game post game snacks and drinks are pretty important.  Here are some pictures from his first game.  One of the best things is that he talks almost the whole time he is on the field either to himself, his team, or the other team.  He has a great time and he diligently keeps track of the score letting his coach know every goal who is ahead and telling his team at the half the score.  Other kids seem to only care if they score a goal not if their team is winning but Symeon is the opposite he likes to score which he did his first game but he likes his team to win so if anyone scores he is happy. 

 The big game is about to begin and there is a bit of confusion.  

 You know this type of fan more a tailgater there to snack, hang out and socialize than see the actual game. 

 If you see the kid over Symeon's left shoulder with his hands on his hips that is the Park Hill Pirates ringer.  The kid was unbelievable he was so focused, amazing ball handler, scored every time he touched the ball and he was fast.  His Dad finally told the coach to take him out since it wasn't fun for the other kids on either team because he was so dominating.  Shawn and I had never seen a kid like him especially not at 4 years old. Luckily he is a sweet kid with a great attitude and parents who are pretty aware of his skills as well as the balance of  the team.  He is really fun to watch. 

 Here he is after he just passed to his good  buddy Jack who went down and scored!

 Playing some defense

Gotta love the action of a corner kick!

Babes first dance class

Babes has been asking to go to a dance class for about a year so we found a ballet/creative movement class.  It is a small class at a local rec center.  We found shoes, tights, and a leotard she looked so cute.  She was so excited she even let me put her hair back which is a small miracle.  She looked so cute and beside not telling the teacher her name because she was shy she had so much fun. 

 

 A girl with a tutu and an attitude

Ready to dance

Telluride

We decided to take a family vacation to Telluride and we were not disappointed.  It was beautiful with great weather.  We all had such a relaxing and fun time we talked about a move.  Although the thought crossed our minds since the pace of life in the mountains is similar to that in beach towns it is tempting but winter beginning in early October has us comfy back in the city.

 A walk through town

 The skate park was a huge hit

 The view on our walk to the Gondola and the grocery store, this actually made me want to grocery shop just so I could go for the walk.  It is also where I walked each morning to get a cup of coffee early and quiet, wonderful.  I would drink it while I laid in the hammock not a bad vacation. 

Here's my view from the hammock

 Vacation is exhausting she passed out while doing a little Ipad.  

 One of the many views from the Gondola ride which we took often and never tired of seeing.  

 The view in town.  

Swimming in the pool 

 Marin loves to swim underwater fun but a bit nerve racking.  

 Symeon has become quit the fish and even did a spin off the side of the pool without being caught he was so proud and although I held my breath he did great.  

A hike with Daddy 

So beautiful a double rainbow but it is hard to see the second one. 

We played lots of games every evening.  Here is a game of operation which was a huge hit they have improved the game since I was a kid so it was actually fun which is not what I remember from my childhood.  

Fishing - they had a stocked kid's pond in town and it was a big hit.  We fished for about 4 hours and each kid caught several fish it was so much fun.  

 Here he is just waiting and watching he was very serious.  Behind him you can see a bridge lots of people were coming over it to go to a concert in the park and so many would stop to see us reel in our catch.  He had quite the audience when he caught his first fish and everyone was cheering.  

 Here she is working it reeling in her big fish you know the one that got away but was huge.  

 Enjoying the time with their Daddy!

 The worm girl, when she was tired of waiting she would spend her time playing with the worms, she loved it.  

 Here they are with one of their catches.  Marin reeled this one in with several large guys watching her and they were cracking up that she caught such a good size fish with a princess fishing pole that she loved.  

 Here she is reeling in another one and she caught it "all by herself"

The big catch and she was even willing to touch it!

Day Trip to Mesa Verde

Shawn and I have been wanting to go to Mesa Verde and since we were only 1.5 hours away we took a day trip to the National Park.  It was amazing and the kids did great on the long hikes down and up to see all the villages in the rocks.  

 Taking it all in and listening to the ranger.  He had lots of questions and really enjoyed so many aspects of the tour.  

 Trying to get a cute picture with Dad and a slight head butt causes a bit of melt down and in the reality of life we went with it. 

 Babes and Daddy

 Still recovering from the head butt

 The kids hiked a lot and did great.  Here we are on the hike up.  

The tricky climb out 

One of the villages we hiked down to a great view from the top of the hike when we were finished.  So many people commented on how amazing the kids were they couldn't believe they did all these hikes and had so much fun.  I guess I didn't think much of it since we hike with them often but they were some tricky hikes long and steep and they did do great.  

I almost forgot the funniest part of the trip.  On the way home I was driving and I ended up following a car for 2 hours that was going under the speed limit.  In general I have a bit of a lead foot and with no where to pass on a tiny two lane road I was like a caged animal.  So when I got my chance to pass in a small town that opened up to four lanes I jumped on it.  I mean literally when the light turned green I floored it only to find myself zooming past a police officer.  He turned around and promptly pulled me over. I had not idea how fast I was going and he informed me I was going 65 in a 30 oops.  He asked me for all the stuff which I had to fish out of the trunk of the car.  He also told me he could take me to jail did I want to to go jail.  I said no and admitted I was speeding and explained why. 

So up until this point in life I have been pulled over 5 times and only received one ticket so I thought here come my second ticket and it is going to be big.  Well he was in his car for a few minutes and when he returned with no ticket I was shocked.  Shawn who was sitting in the front seat did not say one word and the kids asked what I did and I explained the error of my ways.  The police officer told me that he has run out of citations and the other officer he called to bring them to him was stuck at the train crossing.  What are you kidding me?  Does this happen?  These were Shawn's questions as I was let off with a verbal warning and given the officer's business card in case I need anything.  He did give me stern talking to about my kids being in the car, jail, speeding, court appearance, and to be honest I felt terrible.  Shawn is still in disbelief and I don't know why except I always tell the truth and admit when I did something wrong good life lessons I guess.  Anyway Shawn who has received a ticket every time he has been pulled over got a good laugh at this one.  

We had a great time together as a family the whole trip was relaxing and fun!  I feel so grateful that we were able to spend some time together as a family.