Spring Break is officially over and I feel like I’m just now coming up for air before being re-submerged again next week.
As aforementioned, we have spent the last several years in Utah skiing and playing with family. This year, it wasn’t in the cards because of work and finances so we decided to stay closer to home.
It doesn’t hurt when your entire Colorado backyard is a world-class family travel destination.
We spent a few glorious days horseback riding, hot springs-ing, skiing and sleigh riding in Steamboat Springs (details here).
Sleigh ride dinner at the Haymaker
The family that skis together
We got together with our friends Nolan and Rowan for some quality playtime at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
“Mother, this is SCIENCE, not picture time.”
Not to mention some memorable moments hangin’ out at City Park eating Dipping Dots.
On another day, we did a tour of Engineering for Kids that brings math, science, engineering, and technology to elementary and middle school students in a fun and challenging way through after-school programs and summer camps.
I was literally moved to tears as I watched that girl of mine grasp complicated scientific and mathematical experiments that have been such a struggle for her.
On Saturday night, Hadley and I went to our church’s General Women’s Meeting and then to frozen yogurt with friends. It was a momentous occasion as all girls ages 8 and up were invited for the first time to this combined world-wide meeting that was broadcast from Salt Lake City.
I loved the beautiful musical presentation of girls from around the world singing “I am a child of God” and my favorite quote was from Sister Oscarson. “We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others. … We need to realize that we all desire to serve in the kingdom using our unique talents and gifts in our own ways. Then we can enjoy our sisterhood, our associations and begin to serve.”
She said women have “so much to learn from one another and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us from enjoying associations which could be among our greatest blessings in our lives.” AMEN!
Our Sundays after church have been dedicated to family walks. On this particular Sunday, I casually mentioned to my friend Eva we were talking about going to Lair o’ the Bear, an open space park that had been closed until recently due to flood damage. She laughed and said that was the exact place her son Rory had talked about going so we made an afternoon of it.
Yep, that’s still snow you see
Sunday walk, Colorado-style
I also introduced my kiddos to Colorado’s cossetted Camelot, Dunafon Castle, hidden deep in the woods.
We’ll call this one the bribery tree. It’s their favorite, must-climb tree in the park and they begged me to climb it. “Only if you pose nicely for a picture,” I countered.
The things I do for a great shot.
On another day, I injured my neck really badly at boot camp. My coach prescribed a day of rest and a professional massage.
That was the day I had a house filled to the brim with all the kids’ buddies. Better luck next time.
I thought they went back to school yesterday for Spring Break but turned out, Bode had an extra day off school so he invited his friend Seamus over. I’d like to see it was a rip-roarin’ good time but good gosh, I’m so busy so this was about as exciting as it got.
The single greatest thing about our fabulous, fun-filled Spring Break? That it is over.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 