The Fabric World’s Seedy Underbelly

July 12, 2012 By

Today is my mom’s birthday so I thought it appropriate to dedicate this post unto her.

On Wednesday, May 30 I posted the following status update on Facebook:

“My mother is happiest when she is crafting or shopping. I suspect I’m adopted.”

To which my brother Jade commented, “I still hate shopping. She did permanent damage to me.”

Though I make a bi-annual pilgrimage into Hobby Lobby, most of the damage of my mother’s marathon shopping trips was done in fabric stores. To this day, I catch one whiff of fabric and a flood of childhood fabric-store trauma washes over me.

And no, I’m not being melodramatic.

As a part of Hadley’s bedroom makeover, I was forced to face my fabric-store angst by going to JoAnn’s with Hadley and my mother-in-law, Linda. As I staggered around (careful not to inhale), I looked and Hadley was GONE.

I started to freak out. This was her first time in a fabric store–had she been devoured by the seedy underbelly of the textile world?

And then I found Hadley in her element.

Some say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I say it skipped a generation.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Hadley, Humor

4th of July’s Hole of Death

July 9, 2012 By

We didn’t have high hopes for Independence Day this year. Due to the wildfires, most of Colorado is under a fire ban so there were no fireworks. The problem is, they’re shot right above our house and we shut down our street and have a neighborhood party.

4th of July 2012: Nada.

Though I completely understand the fire ban, what sucked about the situation is we had planned our trip to Canada so we would specifically be here for our 4th of July party, only to have the whole thing be a bust.

So, we made the best of it and you know what? We still had the best time. Every year, we attend our church’s pancake breakfast and patriotic service but this time, we added a new tradition: biking.

With full bellies, we headed across the street to the new skate park.

We didn’t last long there. Something about obstacles being two-stories high.

And so we hit Ralston Creek Trail, one of my favorite areas. We wove around the bike path,

Rode singletrack across meadows.

We hit Ralston Creek for a much-needed cooldown.

And we introduced the kids to a cossetted dirt park hidden in the trees.  Jamie challenged Bode on the series of dirt paths, jumps and obstacles. This was his first time off a paved skate park and he was extremely cautious. Turns out, it was for good reason.

In Jamie’s defense, he warned him about The Hole of Death.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwXc5hqLZ3M]

I stopped recording just before it got ugly. If he’d known how to swear, he probably would have.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my own dose of 4th of July ugliness.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, holidays, Humor, Jamie

Chilling: Johnson-style

July 5, 2012 By

We’ve had a one-week break between travels and I set the goal to give everyone some much-needed downtime and we had just that for several hours every day.

However, downtime gets old really quickly chez nous. Here are a few things we did to curb off the summer doldrums:

Two weeks of outdoors swim lessons with several of my besties from our ward. It was like a pool party every day.

And as a total bonus, both kids passed their classes. Hadley is now in the top class on her way to swim team and Bode passed his first class (Trouts) ever and is now a Duck.

If you’ve followed his swimming missteps, you’ll know this deserves a celebration.

We also took our neighbors to the Children’s Museum of Denver. We were regulars when the kids were younger but haven’t been back for a couple of years because they’re in school and I thought they’d outgrown it.

Sean & Bode inside a bubble at the Bubble Exhibit
Hadley with real power tools: watch out

Five hours later, I realized I could not have been more wrong.

We spent Family Home Evening flying a kitean airplane.

It was obviously intense.

We threw Bode a “Pretend Birthday” because we’ll be in Canada for his birthday.

More on that later but those (wet) projectile weapons sure were real.

And last but definitely not least, we spent the afternoon boating and playing at Chatfield State Park with the youth from church. Remember how June had record-breaking heat? The one day we planned our beach visit, it was blustery, windy and rainy.

However, we still had a blast and created even more memories than if it had been sweltering.

Mostly because my memories would have been bad ones.

Hadley tubing with two of her babysitters
Bode warming up with Bryan
Stomp Rockets: something I need to add to our toy collection
Hadley & Morgan snuggling up under our canopy as it poured

One of the great things in the Mormon church is we have a non-paid clergy and are asked to serve in a number of different capacities. I’ve pretty much had the opportunity to do it all–from working with the younger kids to the adults to teaching gospel doctrine to throwing parties to serving in presidencies. But hands down, my favorite favorite favorite calling ever is teaching the youth.

3 of the 4 girls I teach at church. Awesome young ladies!
Our group of youth

P.S. Did you know “sick” is out and the new, hip word is “That is so ‘beast?’”)

Because there’s nothing like a 40-year-old pretending to be cool.

But I’m telling you, this overheated summer has been anything but.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor, LDS Tagged With:

Hadley’s Utopia & the Incredible Hulk

June 29, 2012 By

You know those people who have an aversion to public restrooms?

Bode has the opposite problem. In fact, we often joke he’s like a dog and needs to mark his territory whenever we go. Or, as Hadley so eloquently summarized it:

“The one thing that boy knows how to find is a bathroom!”

But his latest bathroom episode lead to Hadley’s greatest discovery ever. During our visit to YMCA of the Rockies, we were at the playground when nature called for Bode. The Mootz Family Craft and Design Center was adjacent so we walked in there.

A couple of minutes later, I raced out to Hadley screaming, “YOU HAVE GOT TO COME WITH ME, NOW!!!”

The reason for my freakout? I have never seen a craft center quite like this one. I had eventually planned to wander in there with her and expected to see your basic painting or drawing stations but this place was a crafter’s dream with wood and leather crafts, a jewelry area with thousands of beads, ceramics, tie dye with a huge wall of clothing options, silk painting and basket making.

 The prices range from $3-$35 per project with most people spending around $15. We dropped $50.

Ceramics
Some of the many craft projects
More crafts
Tie dye shirt designs

 Being a dude, Bode isn’t really into crafts but he opted to make a tie dye shirt, something I had never done.

It turned our marvelously well. Here’s a photo I took of him wearing the shirt on our camping trip a couple of days later.

We left YMCA of the Rockies early the next morning so they sent home instructions for washing out the shirt after it had soaked in the dye for 24 hours. I then ran it in the washing machine twice before letting him wear it. Evidently, this was not enough because it turned his shoulders green at the campout. Quite coincidentally, his old swim trunks (seen above) literally split open.

We called him the Incredible Hulk.

But back to Hadley’s crafting utopia at the Craft & Design Center. I encouraged her to select something she would keep forever and so she, of course, selected one of the most expensive items: a mosaic kitty clock.

I was excited for her to attempt something so intricate where a qualified staff could help her out. I don’t know if you’d ever done a mosaic but envision collecting tons of glass shards and piecing them together like a puzzle without a set pattern.

I hate crafting and puzzles so basically, it was my worst nightmare. But I loved working on it with her as she came to life.

Then came grouting. I let her tackle that solo.

But the finished product? Something she will always cherish and her avowal to spend the entirety of next summer at the Craft and Design Center.

My wallet may never recover from her discovery.

=====

Other details of our stay:

Colorado’s Most Family-friendly Vacation



YMCA of the Rockies: Activity Capital of Colorado!



Colorado’s most affordable family vacation (at Mile High Mamas)

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, Humor

Fear Factor: Disneyland Style

June 22, 2012 By

My kids enjoyed most of the thrill rides at Disneyland with the exception of the Matterhorn (it was closed until June 15 for repairs), Indiana Jones Adventure (Bode didn’t meet the 46-inch height requirement) and the California Screamin’ roller-coaster (they wouldn’t go near anything with an upside-down loop-de-loop).

However, there were a few surprising “I’m gonna die moments!”

Splash Mountain

For Hadley, it occurred during Splash Mountain and the prospect of kareening down the waterfall. She kept obsessively chanting, “I’m FREAKING OUT!” and when I pointed out we hadn’t even gone down it yet, she switched her lament to “I’m FREAKING OUT FOR THE FUTURE!

What a great planner she is.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel

Doesn’t Mickey just look so happy and welcoming on that Ferris wheel?

Do not be deceived.

This time, it was Bode who was traumatized. You can ride one of the traditional gondolas mounted to the outer rim -or- board one of the 16-inch “free-mounted” gondolas that slip and slide back and forth along the inside spokes.

We, of course, chose the most adventurous free-sliding gondolas and oh, the look on Bode’s face when that thing started rocking.

Holy Crap!

When that didn’t work to calm his fears, he tried another coping method:

.And there he stayed for the duration of the ride.

Golden Zephyr

Hadley is a complicated little thing. Though she thrived on Space Mountain (which absolutely terrorizes me in the dark), she also freaked out about riding the Golden Zephyr in California Adventure Park. She hates swinging things but really? This tame spaceship that is geared to preschoolers?

I made her go on it, just so she could save face.

“What is the worst that could happen?” I queried.

“I could fall out and die,” she countered.

Note to self: don’t ask that question at an amusement park.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Disney, Family travel, Hadley, Humor Tagged With:

The No. 2 Coolest Thing I Have Ever Done!

June 21, 2012 By

Cars Land was phenomenal and Radiator Springs Racers is my favorite ride at Disneyland. Truly. (Go here if you missed my original post).

But do you know what else was so astounding that it made my Top 2 List of Coolest Things I Have Ever Done?

OK, so I just made up the list but the following experience I had at Disneyland ranks right behind my amazing opportunity to be Microsoft’s accredited blogger at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Following our preview of Cars Land, the media was set loose with their families in California Adventure Park for the entire day. What’s so cool about that? The park was closed to the public in preparation for its grand re-opening the next morning. That’s right, people. About 1,000 media and their families had California Adventure Park to themselves. Don’t believe me?

It was like a dream come true to visit Disneyland without the crowds and worth every penny we spent to get there. Oh, and did I mention the weather was a moderate 70-degrees?

I could not have picked a more perfect day.

Our craziest moment was during one of our first rides on Grizzly River Run. Last spring, I waited 1.5 hours for the thrill of doing this white-water rafting adventure.

At the end of getting tossed around by Grizzly River’s rapids, we prepared to get out when the ride operator glanced over at the line (or lack thereof; we were the only ones there) and asked the golden question: “Do you want to do it again?”

And for the first time in my history of Disneyland, we went around yet again without even unbuckling.



The novelty didn’t even wear off when we emerged soaking wet.

That night, our big Disneyland sendoff was a private showing of Worlds of Color–a water spectacular that wove water, color, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy.

Water
Color
fire

Of course my pictures don’t do it justice so check-out Disneyland’s official ones:


Do you know what was mind-blowing? We were each given our own light-up Mickey ears and once the show started, we realized they were perfectly synced to whatever colors were on display.

At least it was the coolest thing ever once I decided Disneyland wasn’t trying to control our minds and take over the world.

There was only one drawback to the entire experience. When you’re a Disneyland newbie like Jamie, the bar has been set waaaaaaay too high.

Cars Land’s Luigi’s Flying Tires

But we’re happy to just do the limbo the next time we visit Disneyland.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Disney, Family travel, Hadley, Humor, Jamie Tagged With:

Disneyland at last!

June 19, 2012 By
If you’re not a fan of Disneyland, come back next week because I’ll be singing the praises of the Happiest Place on Earth the next several days.

When I got invited to the media preview of Cars Land, I asked Jamie if he’d finally like to go (he has been threatening to sue his parents for years re: never taking him). It took him only a moment to decide “YES” and so we bit the bullet and bought tickets for the entire family.

And I’m so glad we did.

I mean, just look at this dude.

I’m glad I had a do-over, too. The kids and I went for one frenzied day last spring break and between the crowds, the heat and the zero research I had done (my tour guide friend had to pull out at the last minute), it was stressful.

Not this time. A friend told me January and early-June are great times to visit Disneyland and she was correct. A lot of schools weren’t on summer break yet so the lines were more manageable–we never waited more than a half-hour for a ride.

Once upon a time, I would have thought waiting that long was dreadful. Now I know that’s a good thing! We stayed at the gorgeous Grand Californian Hotel and you pay for what you get. Namely, it’s pricy (particularly on the weekend) but being located inside the park made for easy access and frequent breaks and dips in the pool.

We also had NO IDEA about the Downtown Disney District, a 20-acre admission-free area right outside our hotel that consisted of about 50 restaurants and shops.

We were a wee bit excited to be there!

We started out at Space Mountain which, if we’re being honest here, scares the bejeebers out of me. I’m fine with rollercoasters but not in the dark. We then spent a truly fabulous day exploring the best of what Disneyland has to offer.

Star Tours
Thunder Mountain
Hadley freaking out before Splash Mountain’s Big Plunge
Bode, our very serious navigator with the map
Jambalaya, clam chowder, beignets & mint juleps to drink at French Market

 

Did we overdo it? You betcha! I literally could not drag the kids out of bed the next morning but a brisk breakfast on our balcony helped wake them up a bit.

I won’t point out sleepy Bode actually put his coat on upside down if you don’t.

It’s called opportunity-cost.

And the sleep deprivation for our first day at play was so very worth it.

Next time: tune in for details from the red carpet!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Hadley, Humor, Jamie Tagged With:

(Camp) Memories Light the Corner of My Mind

June 14, 2012 By

I almost cried on my final day of camp.

But here’s the really sad thing: I wasn’t even the one who attended.

Last week, my children wrapped up their first ever “grown-up” camp with Avid4 Adventure. We’ve done casual sports and art camps through the school or county but this was our first real deal. My kids participated in their Multi-sport Camp and every day was dedicated to a different pursuit: kayaking, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Another reason I cried: I didn’t get to do it with them.

I did, however, catch a glimpse of why they said they had “the best time ever” by attending each of their parent days. I witnessed Bode scale a huge rock wall (while my grateful feet remained on solid ground) and I went canoeing with Hadley at Bear Creek Lake Park.

My history with canoes involve capsizing or using a rake as a paddle (long story but when you don’t have oars you improvise).


No improvisation was needed with the Avid4 kids as they became extremely proficient in each of the activities. I was impressed with all the instructors who were not just college students on summer break but rather certified, highly trained and passionate about instilling a love for the outdoors.

The kids taught the parents all the canoeing safety and skills necessary before heading out on the lake. They went easy on us before introducing us to games like “Stinky Fish” (where we tossed wet sponges into each other’s canoes) and the parents squealed as much as the kids.



The best news of all: I did not lose face with a bunch of 8-year-olds by capsizing.

While Hadley’s adventures with the older kids lasted all day long, 5-year-old Bode’s group of all boys did half-day adventures. They then returned to “base camp” where they did music, arts or crafts with specialized teachers and even learned yoga from Yogini Eileen. I knew my “boy’s boy” would thrive in the regular pursuits but I had doubts he would take to the Downward Dog.

I figured a formal introduction was appropriate.

“Bode, this nice lady is going to show you how to do something called yoga. Eileen, can you demonstrate a pose for him?”

I figured she’d do something nonthreatening like the Tree Pose but she opted for the Standing Head to Knee Pose, which if you’re yoga newbies like Bode and me, looks like one of those circus contortionists.

Skeptically, he looked at me as I shrugged my shoulders. “Good luck with that.”

Turns out, he and his buddies didn’t need it and they loved their class.

I first heard about Avid4 Adventure through a friend who raved about their Outdoor Education School Programs and what’s not to love? They bring a portable stations to schools such as a 25-foot mobile climbing wall, a 30-foot portable pool for kayaking or canoeing, mountain bikes and a portable mountain bike skills course and an outdoor Leave No Trace classroom.

Between their school program, adventure day camps all over the Metro area, family camping trips and overnight Camp Eden, the only thing Avid4 Adventure is missing is classes for adults. I’ll be first in line should it ever it ever happen.

With oars (not rake) in hand.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Hadley, hiking, Humor, outdoors

Avid4 Adventure Camp: In Pictures

June 14, 2012 By

I’d be lying to say I didn’t live vicariously though my kiddos as they did one of Denver’s best summer camps I would have only dreamed to do as a kid. Every day was (literally) a new adventure. I don’t know how Avid4 Adventure did it but they created something special that went beyond mere activities and fun to an everlasting bond with the other kids and nature.

The best part of all: even though each of them had a Parent’s Day where I was able to attend for a couple of hours, Avid4 posted pictures of their adventures so I was able to follow them daily, as well as a “report card” at the end that details all the new skills they acquired.

They sure have a lot to teach me.

Bode’s Experience

Bode is the kind of kind who makes instant friends wherever he goes (it’s a gift, I’m telling you). This is his Group 1 “Lava Bullets” at the climbing walls. Coincidentally, Bode’s soccer team had the same name. Any guesses as to who might have suggested it?

Is it just me or do they look absolutely adorable?

 Of course, I couldn’t have him lose face in front of his buddies by pinching their cheeks. It’s not becoming of adventure campers.

Hanging with Grandma on Parent’s Day

 Lava Bullets rocked their hike up Mt. Galbraith. Their instructors said they went further than any 5-6-year-old group they’ve ever had.

I did the same hike that week and I’m telling you, it was no stroll in the park.

Maybe I needed the Lava Bullets there to whip me into shape.

Bode’s class started their biking session by gauging everyone’s level in the parking lot as they navigated obstacles.

 And then took it to the pathway along gorgeous Clear Creek in Golden.

But my most surreal experience? Watching my 5-year-old take turns kayaking at Bear Creek Lake Park.

It was, hands down, the perfect day.

And, of course, his week would not have been complete without awesome instructors Alex and Steve.They should get a prize for juggling such a rambunctious group of boys.

Or at least a long time to recover.

=======

Hadley’s Experience

I like to call Hadley my extroverted introvert. Though she’s social and enjoys being around people, she is perfectly content to be a loner on her own terms. But she also loves a good adventure so I was thrilled when she delved right into the activities and made some good friends by the end of the week.


Hiking Lair ‘o the Bear

Their rock climbing and mountain biking days were a lot more extreme than Bode’s group and she scaled a real cliff for the former and hit the backcountry for the latter. Her instructors didn’t take any pictures mountain biking but a covered-in-mud daughter was worth a thousand words.

I don’t call her “Adventure Girl” for nothing.

 But canoeing with her on parent’s day will be one of my all-time favorite memories. Each of the kids took a turn explaining the requisite skills and safety considerations to all the parents, giving them a great opportunity to apply what they’d learned.

And then we we canoed around the lake–laughing, playing games like “Stinky Fish” and practicing getting in and out of the canoe.



I didn’t take my camera in the canoe with me. Ask my friend Tina why. It had something to do with the last time I canoed with her husband, we took a nice dunk in the lake.

I’ve reached my quota on having to replace cameras.

But lest you think it was all adventure and no fun, think again. I can’t tell you how many games my kids learned at base camp.

And, of course, Hadley’s experience would not have been complete without her inspiring, accomplished and capable instructors, Kelly and Haley (seriously, just look at their bios). I want to be just like them when I grow up.

And since it’s too late for me, there’s always hope for Haddie.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor, outdoors

A New Woman-Child is Born

June 12, 2012 By

It was truly wonderful having both sets of grandparents descend upon us for Haddie’s baptism. There were lots of shopping trips and Haddie’s first mani-pedi with my mom.

Something you should know about Hadley: she HATES to cut her nails. As in all-out-freakout-I’m-gonna-kill-someone-type hatred. Though she has gotten better over the years and I can now clip her nails without her drawing blood (namely mine), I was curious to see how she’d do.

She looooooved soaking her feet with my mom.

And though she made faces during her manicure, she did just fine.

But I knew her feet would be a big ol’ problem. I get it. I literally cannot stand getting the bottom of my feet scrubbed and toe nails filed but I dutifully drag myself in for a pedi twice a year.

I assured Hadley the nice lady would only paint her toenails and not clip and file them. The problem is, the lady didn’t speak English so my instructions fell on deaf ears.

Or rather, Vietnamese ones.

I got lost in my own foot-soaking reverie and when I looked over, not only was she clipping but also filing Hadley’s toe nails. She took it rather well.

Or not.

But there was no  yelling, kicking OR screaming, which means I’ll have to take her in for a mani-pedi every time her nails need clipping.

And I’m sending the bill for our new habit to my mother.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Hadley, Humor
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