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

The Easter Walk, Wabbits & the Ham

April 9, 2012 By

Did Easter completely sneak up on us this year? Perhaps it was because we were out of town for Spring Break and by the time we returned, we only had one week before the holiday. I deemed this not enough time to drag out our Easter decorations so our house was sadly bunny-less.

Wabbit-hater Elmer Fudd Jamie said it was our best Easter ever.

We weren’t in town for any of our community Easter egg hunts but we still had a grand old time that started with a fun “egging” in our neighborhood. On Thursday, we discovered an empty Easter egg basket on our doorstep with a cute poem to find 12 candy-filled eggs hidden on our lawn. We were then to return the favor to another neighbor and keep the chain going.

So that night after dark, we covertly planted the eggs, rang the doorbell and RAN.
Basically, it’s the coolest egging ever.

Trust me, my car was egged in high school (by a boy who allegedly had a crush on me) while I was still in it. This is a much better alternative.

On Easter morning, the kids got a haul of candy, craft supplies (Hadley), goodies for Mario Party 9 (Bode) and strawberry cream cheese crepes for breakfast.

Then there were the requisite pictures in our Sunday best. Usually our photo shoot is the most painful part of the day but all I took were these four photos because 1) they were darn cute and 2) I’ve given up the hope that Bode will ever smile normally in pictures.
And Easter dinner? Uncle Chris smoked a ham all day long (with apricot-honey sauce), and we devoured funeral potatoes, homemade Challah bread, strawberry salad and the kids’ cake batter truffles.

Is this where I make a bad joke about Jamie being a “ham?”

But hands down, my favorite part of the day was our new Easter tradition: the Easter Walk. Based on the bookby Deborah Pace Rowley (which I need to buy), this “Treasure Hunt for the real meaning of Easter” is a beautiful way for kids to discover the symbolism of Christ’s resurrection in our every day world with six clues and accompanying scriptures.

(The boys reading the clue.)

Clue 1: Mark 15:17 – Something pointed and sharp to represent the crown of thorns.

Clue 2: John 19:17-18 – Something made of wood to represent the cross.

Clue 3: Luke 23:46 – Something dead to represent the Savior’s death.

Clue 4: Luke 23: 44-45, 3 Nephi 8:23 – Something dark to represent the darkness in Jerusalem and in America.

Clue 5: Mark 15:46 – Something hard and round to represent the stone placed in front of the tomb.

Clue 6: Matthew 28:5-6 – Something alive to represent that Jesus Christ is alive again.

Our family went to Majestic View Park and the views (and entire experience) were, indeed majestic.

One of my new favorite pictures:
The kids enjoyed themselves but I especially loved doing the Easter Walk with the Young Women. Usually giggly and chatty (they are teenagers), I loved watching them reflectively stroll around the beautiful grove behind our church.
When we came back together, they shared what they had collected and I was astounded and humbled at just how insightful and good they are, and what a privilege it is for me to teach and be taught by them each week.

Basically, this was one of my favorite Easters ever.

Even without the wabbits.

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

And the first shall be last

April 2, 2012 By

For my column in The Denver Post today, I wrote about our failed Easter egg hunt last year.

Or rather, my parenting fail.

I submitted my article to my editor a few weeks ago and then the media erupted last week with the Easter egg hunt that was canceled in Colorado Springs because of aggressive parents. People everywhere were lashing out against “helicopter parents” (those who hover over and push their kids too much).

My article had “backlash” waiting to happen. I fretted over it a few days before emailing my editor whilst on vacation last week with a revised piece that hopefully would subdue my critics.

So far, no hate mail.

But it’s still early in the day.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

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

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from an Unbeliever

March 21, 2012 By

I’ve never been one to make a big deal about St. Patrick’s Day, partly because a lot of it is about drunken revelries but mostly because I despise Irish food.

And let’s face it: holidays are all about the eating.

But this year, both the kids were so into St. Patrick’s Day I figured I’d better step it up. In fact, Hadley has constructed multiple leprechaun traps and even made one back in November.

That is some serious green-day motivation.

The funny thing is I have been the naysayer and she has been the one who has tirelessly tried to convince me leprechauns are real.

“If they’re not real, then who came into our classroom and knocked over all the traps?”
“How did the leprechaun know my shoe size for my new sandals? Huh, huh?”

The kids fastidiously set-up their traps the night before and I fastidiously knocked them over and left multiple gifts I was already planning to give them (i.e. new baseballs for Bode, pastels and sandals for Haddie). I wanted no part in the leprechaun mischief of totally annihilating the room.

My kids already take care of that on a daily basis. I think they have leprechaun blood.

They were delighted to say the least and we had a breakfast fit for kings: shamrock waffles (fluffy whole wheat waffles died green), topped with pot ‘o gold vanilla sauce.


Both are recipes I found on Pinterest. Duh.

The rest of the day was a flurry of heading to the hills for the Junior Naturalist program at Lookout Mountain (more on that later). We then lunched at the best gourmet burger place on the planet: Lark Burger (their gourmet truffle burger with Parmesan truffle fries brings tears to my eyes…and thighs). We topped off our day with our annual Chili Cook-off at the church with all our besties.

Then again, maybe St. Patrick’s Day is all about the food.

So long as it isn’t Irish.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: holidays

Leap Year ’12 Time Capsule (and Evidence I Suck at Math)

March 1, 2012 By

I instituted a new Leap Year family tradition yesterday: we made a time capsule for us to open when the next Leap Year rolls around.

The only other time I’ve done a time capsule was when I was 16. I must have been inspired by a Young Women’s lesson at church to journal my life so I went home and made a very serious tape.

At least it seemed serious until I opened it 10 years later when I was 26 and was mortified at how ridiculous I sounded saying “rad” every other word.

It was, after all, the ’80s.

I’ve since gotten over that and really wish I could find that tape for my posterity to mock.

This time around, I had everyone in the family answer a questionnaire with the following:

Name and age

Favorite food

Friends

Favorite subject

Favorite things to do

What I’m looking forward to this year.

What do you want to be doing in 4 years?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I threw in a newspaper with today’s headlines, the entertainment section detailing current movies and some drawings and mementos from the kids. When we asked The Pumpkin Man how he wanted to commemorate February 2012, we put a pumpkin seed in the time capsule.

Here’s for hoping that hobby will be long forgotten by the time we open it.

Then, we sealed it up tight and put a bold, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 2016. (Apologies for the sideways picture; can’t get it to rotate.)


OK, truth be told the reason the letters are in bold is because I originally wrote 2014.

Turns out 2012+4….well, here’s for hoping you know the answer.

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

Valentine’s Day Loves

February 22, 2012 By

I’ll admit it: when I was single, I was one of those types who dubbed Valentine’s Day, “Single Awareness Day.”

Now, I realize I missed out on some great opportunities. It doesn’t have to be an over-the-top, romantic day but rather, just an expression of gratitude for those you love.

In addition to all the Pinterest-inspired activities I already wrote about here, one night we had a “heart attack love fest” for Family Home Evening. After sharing a scripture from John (a new commandment I give unto you…love one another), we each took several hearts and wrote what we loved about each other.


I knew it would be a great practice in recognizing each other’s strengths but I didn’t realize how much it would touch the kids. Though Haddie and Bode get along pretty well, they’re siblings so aren’t always BFFs (understatement). I will never forget the looks on their faces as they shared what they love about each other…one of those priceless parenting moments. We then taped the hearts all over the house for decoration.

This will be a favorite new Johnson family tradition for Valentine’s Day.

Because I’m all about forcing the love.

We invited Aunt Lisa and Uncle Chris over that night for a tasty fondue dinner.

And yes, that is a strobe light you see reflected in the left-hand corner.

Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like a cool disco.

The next day, Jamie and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. I bought nine balloons and taped favorite memories from each year we’ve been married.


There were plenty.

But thank heavens for my blog’s archives to help me remember them all. :)

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

My Valentine’s Day, according to Pinterest

February 13, 2012 By

Pinterest.com has turned me into a domestic goddess.

Or at least someone who is disillusioned enough to believe she is one.

Some of my inspirations have included:

An Angry Bird Valentine’s box for Bode.
Because nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like an irate fowl.

On Sunday, we made cinnamon bun caramel popcorn (seriously the BEST POPCORN ever). We made six batches of it.


Don’t bother asking me how long I spent in the kitchen.

Hadley was invited to her friend Casey’s Valentine’s Day party on Saturday and what could be more apropos than hearts in her hair?

Oh yeah, and Valentine’s Day morning? I’m surprising my family with these:

Excuse me while I take the rest of the year off.

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

A true story of honesty

January 10, 2012 By

Dad: Well, your mom and I were thinking about coming to Denver next year for Christmas.
Me: That would be great.
Dad: Especially after we got uninvited this year and you decided to go to Utah.
Me: What are you talking about? You were never uninvited to come visit us!
Dad: We weren’t?
Me: No. We never invited you in the first place!

As a side note, I did tell him they always have an open invitation. :)

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

A Memorable Canadian Christmas

January 3, 2012 By

After my parent’s house fire, we changed our holiday plans to go to Utah and instead headed north of the border. It’s been a few years since I came to Calgary for Christmas and it’s admittedly my favorite place to be. The reasons are innumerable that include my zany and fun family but it comes down to just one thing: it’s home.

And really, you just can’t compete with that.

One night, my dad and I took the kids to the Calgary Nativity Pageant. Our church has put on this production for 46 years and it’s one of my favorite traditions. It has evolved into an impressive production with a professional set, killer sound system and live animals. One thing that has never changed is the venue: it’s always been held outdoors at Heritage Park.

Because didn’t you know: Bethlehem totally had sub-zero temperatures, too?

But Christmas Eve is hands down my favorite party ever. My brother Pat and sister-in-law host every year and have a huge spread of appetizers, desserts and candy.
We always start the festivities with playing the pipe bells that my Grandpa Wilde cut years ago. I also took the bells to Bode’s kindergarten class and Haddie’s second graders for their Christmas parties.
My family was only moderately better than them.

And that is after years of practice.

Then it’s onto the left-right game….
…wherein it is revealed we can’t decipher our left from our right.

But the climax of the evening is the gift exchange. To let you know just how seriously we take this game, my family often shops months in advance for just the right gifts to battle it out over. Some of the winners included a magic show (that has turned Hadley into an amateur magician), light sabers for Bode, and bacon candy canes that were unceremoniously ripped out of my possession.
But the real humdinger of the night was when my brother Pat, on the last trade of the evening, got stuck with the Santa toilet paper and pink, vibrating slippers.

Every year, Jane buys everyone matching PJs but this year, my niece Emily made them for most everyone for her final Personal Progress project for church.

Except for the late-comers like us who decided we were coming just a few days before Christmas. Regardless, Jane made sure we were still adequately outfitted.
As for Christmas day, I can’t believe I didn’t take any pictures! The kids had already opened most of their gifts in Denver so it was nice to not be so focused on the material side of the holidays.

Though they were certainly not lacking with a bike for Bode, a desk for Haddie, movies, Wii games, craft supplies, clothes, and movies. Probably the favorite present was from my mom who saved me from a parenting fail. My kids have always loved stuffed animals and I have never taken them to Build-a-Bear.

I know, Bad Mom.

But who can blame me after seeing those prices? For two animals and two outfits, my mom paid $90. “Birthday Cake” bear is Haddie’s newest treasure and Bode fell in love with another “Tabby.”

Those were sure swell selections but I was remiss when they turned me down for my bear de choix: A Canadian Bear in a Mountie Costume.

Serves me right for birthing Americans.

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

Happy New Year’s interviews!

January 1, 2012 By

Blogging is a great way to record our family’s history but one thing I don’t do a great job of is making videos.

So, when I stumbled upon this mom who does annual New Year’s Day interviews with her kids, I thought there’s no better way to start. She had a great list of questions to help commemorate the year and also your child’s likes/dislikes in a cute format.

Some of her suggested questions:

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What is your mom’s name?
4. What does your mom do during the day?
5. What is your dad’s name?
6. What does your dad do during the day?
7. What is your favorite color?
8. What is your favorite thing to eat? (what don’t you like to eat?)
9. Who are your friends?
10. What is your favorite song? Can you sing it for me?
11. What is your sister’s name? (this is fun because they don’t always say the name correctly)
12. What is your favorite place to go?
13. What is your favorite thing to do?
14. What do you like about your Mommy? (Daddy, sister, etc.)
15. What do you want to be when you grow up?
16. What is your favorite book?
17. What does (sister/brother) like to do?
18. What are you most excited for in 2012?

I don’t expect any of you to sit through my kids’ interviews (about 4 minutes each) because, let’s face it–stuff like this is for the grandparents (though hearing Bode’s sound business plan for his future vocation and Haddie singing an unintentionally abridged version of Silent Night may be worth it).

I encourage you to think of a fun way to mark the beginning of 2012.

Bode interview
http://youtu.be/hCM6lsAXfug
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCM6lsAXfug]

Hadley Video
http://youtu.be/UuOEiaQqoi0

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuOEiaQqoi0]

==================

And yes, I know I jumped ahead to New Year’s without even detailing Christmas but my head is still reeling from our 22-hour drive back from Canada, the pile of laundry and the Christmas decorations that need to get taken down.

No complaints from me, though. I’m just happy to be home after a decidedly hellish drive back where they closed the freeway, I thought I was going to die during Jamie’s suicidal detour and we almost spent New Year’s Eve holed up in a seedy Wyoming hotel (details later). We miraculously made it back to Denver and celebrated with KFC and Martinelli’s at midnight.

OK, so maybe it was only 8:15 p.m. and we watched a YouTube video of the ball dropping on Times Square from 2011.

Not that the kids noticed anyway. When we poured Bode his drink, he proclaimed, “I’m going to drink dis…and den I’m gonna get craaaaazy!”

Apparently 2012 will involve a Martinelli’s intervention for Bode.

As for me, it is our tradition to go out for Chinese food in Canada and my fortune cookie read:

You will soon be confronted with unlimited opportunities.

After the tough year we’ve had, I’m looking forward to it.

Happy New Year!

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