While I was in the kitchen preparing dinner, Bode asked from the family room:
“What’s the best thing you’ve ever done?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “I married Daddy and had two beautiful children.”
“No, Mom. I was talking to Fat Kitty.”
Sentimental Fail
June 2, 2014 By
A birthday to remember at The Broadmoor
May 29, 2014 By
If you have done something two years in a row, does that make it a tradition? If so, I’d like to officially declare staying at The Broadmoor our annual Memorial Day/Hadley birthday tradition!
We can all dream, right?
Sure, the weather didn’t cooperate but we still had a fabulous time at this iconic AAA Five-Diamond Resort in Colorado Springs. I mean, how could you not? The gourmet food is divine at The Broadmoor’s elegant restaurants. When we dined at La Taverne on our first day, they brought Hadley a birthday treat.
“But it’s not even my birthday yet,” she weakly protested.
“Yes, but it is your birthday weekend!” our waitress responded.
She never looked back.
Whoopie Pie celebration while bowling at PLAY
“Mom, my goal is to get to Round 10 of the brunch because I’m 10 years old today.”
“You’ll be sick.”
“I know.”
Birthday brunch
Side note: she made it.
Dissection of a birthday girl: cute green dress from Aunt Lisa, cowboy boots for horse camp from Mom, volleyball from Dad, new purse and wallet from the family and some classic books from Aunt Sue.
And nothing says brotherly love like Bode who constructed a birthday “H” for Hadley on Minecraft.
The weekend was non-stop fun. There was Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and hiking Cheyenne Canyon. Then, we were the very first group to participate in The Broadmoor’s new summertime activity, Laser Tag, on the croquet lawn. Uncle Chris joined us for our vacation and the man will become legend in Broadmoor Laser Tag circles because, as one admiring tween stated, “That guy has to be a professional hunter.” Translation: he “killed” us all every time.
I was unsure how laser tag would work outdoors but we were outfitted with paint-balls guns that had CO2 canisters or battery-operated guns for the littles.
Laser tag with Uncle Chris
Is it just me or does Hadley look a little bit too comfortable with that gun?
Everyone had a blast except Jamie who had to leave early when an old pumpkin injury started bleeding.
I wish I was joking.
The pool was, as always, glorious!
Hadley playing the “you have to go down the slide because it’s my birthday” card with Uncle Chris
The highlight of our lives (not really exaggerating) is a poolside cabana but remember that uncooperative weather? We weren’t able to spend very much time at the pool but still toughed it out. 
If you can call anything at The Broadmoor “tough.”
We drowned our inclement-weather sorrows in a lot of food by trying their new Italian Ristorante and Bar Del Lago. With delicious family-style portions, we started with a selection of antipasti and finally stopped two hours later with Bombolini (fried pastries) and Cannoli.
Jamie is not smiling because this was taken near the end of the meal and he was literally too full to try.
Of course, we always pose for family pictures by Cheyenne Lake.
Roast s’mores.
Order room service for breakfast.
And relish every single moment at The Broadmoor as if it is our last.
Room with a view
Happy birthday, Hadley!
Colorado Springs: Fat Giraffes and a Cheyenne Canyon hike all my own
May 28, 2014 By
The Broadmoor is a AAA Five-diamond resort that has all the makings of a perfect family vacation with gourmet food, superb service, breathtaking grounds, a fun pool and waterslide and so much more. But during our visit over Memorial Day weekend, the weather did not only fail to cooperate, it was downright irascible (think clouds, heavy rain and hail in the afternoons/evening) and we had to alter our activities.
So, instead of lazily lounging poolside the entire time, we actually left the resort to explore Colorado Springs.
Which isn’t a bad thing.
We hopped on the resort’s complimentary shuttle and headed to nearby Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. As the United States’ only mountain-side zoo, this translates into some steep walking to see the 550 animals but who am I to complain about hiking with views like this?
Their new Encounter Africa exhibit is top-notch and I love that the exhibits at this zoo are really experiential. From the Budgie Buddies Exhibit where you can purchase seed to feed the birds….
…to their famous giraffe exhibit where you can actually feed them and yep, their tongues are kind of creepy.
Side note: The giraffes have gone “green.” The last time we were at the zoo, we fed them crackers but it turned out they were getting too fat so now the zoo sells lettuce.
On Memorial Day, we hopped on The Broadmoor’s complimentary shuttle to Starsmore Discovery Center at the mouth of Cheyenne Canyon. I regularly hike this area (remember my recent adventures with the bear and the gun-toting Tennessean?) and it is truly one of my favorites. Denver has a lot of great urban hikes but nothing even compares to the Columbine Trail.
I was completely alone at dawn (a rarity on a holiday weekend) and convinced the family they needed to return with me later that morning to explore. The kids enjoyed the Starsmore Discovery Center’s interesting dioramas, hands-on nature exhibits and programs and I was fascinated by the flood relief efforts (much of the area was badly damaged).
There are three trailheads (lower, mid and upper) that are accessible from the main road up Cheyenne Canyon. Lower Columbine Trail is perfect for families as it moderately winds along North Cheyenne Creek in a red rock evergreen wonderland.
I spy Hadley scaling a precipitous mountain
Hadley won’t go near a rock-climbing wall (I hate them, too) but if there is a rock wall to be free-climbed, she is there. Because really, who needs safety precautions like harnesses and ropes?
Apparently not Hadley. Above is a picture of her mid-climb. A few minutes later, I made her turn back because, though she was doing a great job shimmying up the steep wall, I foresaw big trouble trying to get down.
Basically, I was just trying to save my own hide. And assure she made it to her 11th birthday.
Stay tuned tomorrow for all our fun 10th birthday festivities at The Broadmoor!
Happy 10th Birthday Hadley
May 25, 2014 By
Dogsledding in Breckenridge
Hadley,
Age 9 was glorious with travels, friendships, family and adventures. Every year, you become more fun, confident and beautiful and though it’s agonizing to see you grow so quickly, I couldn’t be happier to watch you do it.
Since my birthday letter a year ago, you’ve Traveled (with a capital ‘T’): The AAA Five-Diamond Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, multiple ski trips including our mother-daughter getaway to Copper Mountain and Spring Break in Steamboat Springs. You had the thrill of a lifetime dog-sledding in Breckenridge and had a blast spending Christmas in Utah. Last summer you, Bode and I did a 3,000-mile trip that covered two countries and six states (Colorado, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah) and we’re looking for a repeat performance in July because apparently we weren’t crazy enough the first time. We recently returned from Disneyland and Maui, which basically means we’re never ever going to be able to top this year for travels. Unless you become an airline stewardess. Or a vagabond.
Walking on water in Maui
You enjoyed fourth grade at your Waldorf charter school. Your teacher, Mrs. Price, loves experiential learning and the field trips are plentiful–hiking Garden of the Gods and your zoology unit at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, camping at Spring Kite Farms and then again last week at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Summiting the highest dune
where you were the second person to climb the highest dune in North America and one of only a handful of kids to summit. You even beat me to the top and your teacher called you a “gazelle,” which made me wonder why you’re frequently last on our family hikes–probably because there aren’t any cute boys with whom you are competing. Though I beg to differ–Dad and Bode are pretty impressive.
In 2014/15, it will be your third year with the same group of students and it’s a good thing you like everyone (particularly London, Angel and Abbey) because it could feel like Groundhog day. I’m referring to the funny movie, not the rodent who allegedly sees his shadow because that would just be weird. You scored the role of Norse Mythology God Baldur’s wife Nanna in the school play and you did a fabulous job with your unceremonious death but my favorite part was when they hauled you away like a sack of potatoes.
You’re doing much better in school thanks to the generous help of Grandpa B., who helps with your tutor costs. Math might always be a struggle but it is slowly clicking for you. Spelling is another story. We’re constantly drilling you on basic words and I’m sure you’ll be thrilled when you start embracing technology and are introduced to a beautiful thing call “spell check.” I, too, live for that day.
Dancing at Camp Chief Ouray
You fell in love with volleyball this year, which makes me extremely happy because it’s been fun to share one of my favorites sports. You love the water and were always the first to brazenly jump in during our trip to Maui–whether it was a freshwater cave, off a huge boulder into tidal pools or the ocean. You’re also a great runner. Without even training, you ran 5 miles for your school’s FunRun, which was the most miles of any girl in your grade. You lock yourself in your room for hours doing handwork or just creating masterpieces. You’re also turning into a master gardener like your dad and decided after a two-year battle that you actually like the violin while you only tolerate piano.
But perhaps what you’re most looking forward to is returning to YMCA of the Rockies’ Camp Chief Ouray in June. For six blissful days last summer, you were parent-free at Colorado’s longest-running overnight camp and have been dying to get back there to ride horses. You’ve been begging us to buy you a horse (which ain’t gonna happen) and unfortunately you’re rather obsessed. Whenever we try to bribe you with something, if you don’t want to do it your universal response is, “if it’s not a horse, I’m not biting.”
Hanging with Elsa and Anna at Disneyland
Whatever happened to nice rewards like ice cream?
As a tween, you’re a wonderful balance of getting down and dirty while still getting all gussied up. You love playing with your stuffed animals, silly games with your brother and the only music you’ve really gotten into is from Frozen (along with everyone else in North America). I truly didn’t mind listening to “Let It Go” on repeat but what really drove me over the edge was your insistent singing of “Do you wanna build a snowman?” which was a conflicting matter because I really DID want to build a snowman but I did not want to hear it for the gazillionth time.
It’s so fun to see you learning and growing every day. One morning, we snuggled up together in bed and laughed as we reread all my birthday letters to you…from your spirited toddler years to a spitfire preschooler to a headstrong kindergartener to an effervescent tween. Sensing a pattern here? You may be strong-minded but you know exactly what you want and how to get it. We’ve known that from the womb when Daddy promised you a car on your 16th birthday if you were born the next day and, lo-and-behold, you pulled it off.
Fifth grade is a biggie when you’ll really start maturing while being surrounded with more grown-up issues. You have a wonderful support system of a loving family, an awesome group of Activity Day girls from church and a solid moral compass of what is right and wrong.
One of my all-time favorite pictures of you was taken last summer in Lake Vernon, B.C. Uncle Pat’s family has this crazy tradition of jumping off the back of the boat into the rooster tail where you’re sucked under the wake before being spit back out on the surface. I was certainly hesitant to try but following Aunt Jane’s example, you not only stepped off the boat but you launched in full-throttle. 
When I looked at the picture later, it melted my heart. I was breathless as you brazenly hung midair. If you look closely, you’ll see a line of family members who already jumped into the water cheering you on. Never forget that you are so loved and supported by those who have gone before you and who will follow. Don’t forget you are a wonderful leader.
Love,
Mom
===
P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, read letters for your 9th birthday, 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd.
Why I am a parenting overachiever
May 24, 2014 By
.Once upon a time when we retrieved my then-3-year-old daughter Hadley from preschool, her teacher pulled me aside.
“I need to talk to you about Hadley,” she said in that voice. The same cautionary voice my third-grade teacher used right before she wrote on my report card that I had “verbal diarrhea.”
Shockingly, the report was positive.
“Hadley is doing such a great job with her letters! Not only is she really advanced on sounding them out but she is already piecing them together in words. You must be regularly working on them with her at home?”
After retrieving my jaw from the floor, I paused CLICK TO KEEP READING
Adventures summiting the highest dune in North America
May 22, 2014 By
Visiting the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve has been on my bucket list but if I’m being honest, it’s closer to the bottom for two reasons.
1) It is located in the middle of nowhere 4 hours southwest of Denver.
2) If you will recall, I hate sand.
So, how exactly does a sand-adverse gal fall in love with a sandbox-on-steroids that is approximately 30 square miles while chaperoning 20 squirrelly fourth graders?
Simply stated: This delicate and complex dune system is breathtakingly wild, remote and awe-inspiring. The 150,000-acre dunes rise 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Range. I’ve never explored anything quite like it.
Hadley’s class spent the morning at the park’s Visitor Center watching a 20-minute movie about the formation of the dunes and then testing out the interactive exhibits like the video microscope, rock/mineral table and lightning tube.
Following lunch, we began our adventure with the intention to climb to the top of High Dune, the tallest in North America. Prior to reaching the dunes, we needed to cross Medano Creek. The length and time that Medano Creek flows depends on the amount of winter snowmelt. Typically, the creek starts to flow in late March or April, with peak flow in late May but in drought years it dries up much earlier. The water was only a few inches at its deepest but judging from the beach party, I could have sworn we landed in California.
Our creek traverse to the dunes. My favorite picture of the trip
The kids had the time of their lives running, jumping, rolling and flipping in their sandy playground. I was exhausted just watching them (sounding like the old woman that I am).
Jump! (Hadley in blue)
I’ve hiked in numerous circumstances–paved, dirt, shale, boulder fields but never steep and deep sand. For every two steps we took, we sank and slid back one.
That’s a nice way of saying some people thought they were going to die.
But not Hadley. She went barefoot (not recommended in the summer because the sand gets hot) and I’m telling you that girl of mine was a beast climbing those peaks. She completely blew the other girls (and me) away and after an hour, she was the second person to arrive at the first peak just after J.D., the class athlete.
Steeeeep.
Steeeeep Part 2
“She’s like a gazelle,” observed Hadley’s teacher Mrs. Price who, at 7 months pregnant, was quite impressive herself.
First kids to the first ridge–Hadley, J.D., Noel and Terran
Most of the kids from the class made it to that first ridge.
The wind was howling, sand was whipping and we were about to turn back when we had a momentary reprieve from the conditions–just long enough for a handful of the crazies to keep hiking another half-hour and summit High Dune, the tallest in North America.
High Dune Summit Group with Mrs. Price
Dunes for miles
My favorite part of the day was watching Hadley kick butt. My second favorite was going down. On our ascent, we never hiked straight up but instead took indirect zig-zag routes along the ridge lines. Our descent was a straight shot down steep slopes and I’ll be darned if it didn’t feel like I was a kid again as I barreled down a powder playground.
I got a kick out of how competitive the kids were. After we separated from the main group to climb High Dune I surged ahead, knowing full well the kids would be passing me up on the steeps. I overheard J.D. telling everyone, “OK, if Hadley’s mom is first, she won’t count. Does everyone agree?”
NO, I DID NOT.
For the record, I came in fourth.
Not that I was counting.
Chaperoning at the Great Sand Dunes (but not the gators)
May 21, 2014 By
First, there was Mesa Verde National Park.
Then, there was Spring Kite Farm.
Last week, I chaperoned my third camping trip for Hadley’s class, this time to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.
Just look at these views from our campground at San Luis State Park.
There is a lot that goes into pulling off a camping trip with 20 kids. Hadley’s teacher and the chaperones have it down to a science–from our meal planning to pillaging the basement of the school’s Great Hall that is chock full of camping gear (how cool is that?) But something you can’t pre-plan is exactly what we got: snow. And a lot of it. Hadley’s teacher wisely pushed the trip back a day but temperatures were still below freezing at night, causing some parents to panic.
I posted this rant on Facebook: “I totally get that we want our kids to have a smooth-sailing life but when did we become so overprotective that we shelter them from reaching beyond their comfort zones? If it’s too cold, too hot, too dirty, too contentious, or just too hard, we pamper them and bow out citing they can’t handle it. Some of my kids’ shining moments have been when they work through their struggles and realize they CAN do that which they never dreamed possible. ‘Hard’ can be life’s greatest teacher.”
Last summer when Hadley went to overnight camp, she refused to take the warm sleeping bag I told her to and froze her butt off the night they had to sleep under the stars–cried all night. Of course, as a mom I felt horribly for her but my gosh if she didn’t learn invaluable lessons from it and is such a rock star with preparing for the cold now. She was among the hardiest campers in her class.
What I’m saying: suck it up, parents, and don’t be afraid to let your kids tough it out.
The Gators
Another way to toughen them up? Take them to the Colorado Gators Reptile Park and let them hold a real-life alligator.
Note: this challenge does not apply to parents because we need to survive long enough to take care of our tough children.
The gator park was a short distance from the sand dunes but felt like a world away. This 80-acre ramshackle farm has become an educational sanctuary for overgrown alligators and other reptiles like large pythons, tortoises, iguanas and other exotic animals like peacocks and ostriches. It was a stinky facility but downright fascinating to watch Elvis, a Godzilla-of-an-alligator, gobble a huge hunk of beef like it was a mosquito.
There were plenty of mid-size gators as well. In the middle of them was a comment box for people to submit their complaints. Gotta love gator humor.
Side note: For just $100, you can take alligator wrestling lessons. It’s like they were totally reading my mind.
The Drama
I love chaperoning Hadley’s class camping trips because I see a completely different side of her when she’s in her element with all her friends.
Campfire reading
Piggy back rides with her friend London
Let me tell you, navigating fourth grade is tricky. She has always been equally comfortable hanging out with boys and girls. 
But now, the innuendos are starting. She spent some time hanging out with a boy we’ll call Harry. They were having a lot of fun but then another girl (whom we’ll call Andrea) jealously watched the two of them. When they separated, Andrea approached Harry and with a forced casualness asked, “So, do you like Hadley?”
Poor Harry was taken aback and muttered something like “no, we’re just friends” but already the wheels are turning for the clueless boys as the more-mature girls are already jockeying for position.
It’s only going to get better from here, folks.
Tomorrow: stay tuned for our adventures summittng the tallest dune in North America!
Hadley’s Unceremonious Death as the Wife of Baldur
May 13, 2014 By
I remember doing the occasional play when I was in elementary school but very sparingly. That’s why I love that Hadley’s Waldorf school regularly does them, even if it means a lot more work and anxiety.
Plus, her teacher is very pregnant and if pulling together a play with 24 squirrely kids doesn’t make you come unglued, I don’t know what will.
Oh yeah, a newborn. They’re pretty good at that, too.
This year, the kids are studying Norse Mythology and”The Lay of Baldur’s Doom” is centered around the death of the god Baldur and the punishment of Loki.
What this means is the audience sits there stupefied, wondering what the heck they’re saying.
Hadley scored the role of Baldut’s wife Nanna. The reason she tried out for it?
1) It’s cool to be a god.
2) She only had a handful of lines.
3) She dies an unceremonious death.
I’ll be honest: I watched the disastrous rehearsal and didn’t think they’d pull it off but they miraculously did it. (Hadley is in blue to the left). And what excitement there was like archery!
I think I’ll call her Merida from now on.
She was visibly devastated when Baldur died as the chorus chimed out: “The sight of the body laying cold, proved too much for a lover’s broken heart to hold.” And Hadley delivered the following lines:
“Strength I was wrong–I have not.
Without my beloved my blood run not.”
And then Hadley dramatically collapsed to her death.
Confession: my favorite part was when the kids hauled her into the boat like a sack of potatoes.
Who says Norse Mythology is boring even if you can’t understand a word of it?….
===
For the grandparents: H’s play has been posted online if you want to watch!
Mother’s Day Sentimentality (or lack thereof)
May 12, 2014 By
We had a gloriously low-key Mother’s Day. Jamie and the kiddos served me breakfast in bed, followed by a parade of presents, a cute scavenger hunt, secret service and a ginormous hanging basket of flowers. It’s not something you can easily hide so I asked Jamie where he had stashed it.
“In the pumpkin’s hoop house. I knew that was the one place you’d never go looking.”
Touché.
There’s no better way to spend Mother’s Day by going to church where moms are heralded, adored and, perhaps my favorite ward tradition, fed lots and lots of pie.
An all-day snow storm wreaked havoc on our tradition to walk around Evergreen Lake so Jamie smoked a delicious brisket, we ate even more pie and had a PJ/movie marathon. It was the perfect way to spend the blustery day together.
As we were getting ready for bed, those darlin’ kiddos of mine were attacking me with hugs and kisses. Brimming with love for both of them, I declared, “Without you guys, I wouldn’t even be a mommy so thank you.”
The reply from my sentimental daughter? “You’re right! So, technically Mother’s Day should be about us, too.”
Touché X 2.
A Minecraft Mother’s Day
May 10, 2014 By
I know we’re supposed to share in our kids’ passions but I just can’t get behind the Minecraft craze. Today was one of Bode’s technology days and he love nothing more than to download his version of allll the excitement to me after he has finished playing. Today, however, I perked up because his tutelage had a Mother’s Day theme.
As an FYI, cows roam the Minecraft Overworld, usually in herds of 4 to 10. If a cow is killed, it will drop 0 – 2 pieces of leather, 1 – 3 pieces of raw beef, and 1 – 3 experience. If the cow died while on fire, it will drop steak rather than raw beef and will only drop experience in this case if the player has hit it or started the fire. Killing a calf will give you nothing.
Got it? Yeah, me neither.
“Mom, I’m attacking cows. But not the ones with babies.”
“That’s nice of you, kind of like honoring them for Mother’s Day?”
“Yes, it would be sad to kill the cows because then the babies wouldn’t have mothers.”
“You’re so thoughtful.”
“As for the babies, I don’t kill them either. I wait for them to grow up AND THEN I’LL ATTACK.”
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. 