The act of juggling

June 15, 2011 By

Yes, I’m still alive. It is just the busiest week of our summer as we juggle Haddie’s art camp, Bode’s sports camp, and church and work meetings.

Who said summer was about R&R?

We had quite the week with a summer party in our backyard with neighbors.

Judging from the face of Bode’s bestie, the Fudgesicles were a hit.

As was the 6-mile mountain bike ride as Haddie finally conquered her new mountain bike.

The kiddos were the guests of honor at the inauguration at the Children’s Museum of Denver’s new interactive science exhibit 3, 2, 1…Blast Off (see my review here).

Not to be forgotten was hitting Water World on Wednesday. If you’ve never been to the nation’s biggest and baddest waterpark with 46 water adventures, you’re missing out. This was our best visit ever.

Disclaimer: The first time we went three years ago, baby Bode almost drowned when he fell off the ledge of the lazy river and I dove in after him, tubes flailing everywhere. For my second Water World experience, my friends’ teen-agers dragged me on every suicidal ride in the park–moderately traumatic for a water hater like myself.

Picnics are welcome, however, all beverage containers must be factory sealed. I did not know this and brought along my trusty CamelBak water bottle. Upon inspecting my bag, the worker told me I’d need to dispose of my water. After obliging, I queried “But my firearms are OK, right?”

And yes, such joking would’ve gotten me arrested at the airport.

Once inside the park, we met with a few other Mile High Mamas and their kiddos. Mine were in their element, “It’s like we’re on vacation!” Haddie squealed and she was correct. We were fortunate to chose a day with beautiful weather and minimal crowds.

We were repeatedly told to ride the most popular ride in the park–Voyage to the Center of the Earth–before it got to busy so we high-tailed over there. The problem is this quarter-mile-long plunge into a dark vortex with frightening dinosaurs was a bit too much for my kiddos.

OK, who am I fooling. And for me.

Note to self: Don’t do the scariest ride first.

In the end, the trauma was forgotten and we all had a blast.

Water and all.

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

Bode’s Big Day and Jamie’s Bad Night

June 9, 2011 By

Bode had a big day a few weeks ago. It was his first field trip ever with his preschool class to see the musical Billy the Kid at Heritage Square. He was practically bouncing off the walls and was most excited about riding his first yellow school bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, the anti-climax.

But miraculously, everything lived up to his expectations and he was elated when I retrieved him after school. To keep the party going, I took him to McDonald’s for lunch where he ran into a few of his preschool buddies and played with them for a couple of hours.

That night, he and Jamie went on a father-son camp-out with the Scouts from our ward. Last year when they did a similar getaway, Haddie and I had a Girl’s Night In and rented Beverly Hill Chihuahua. This year was one step up and we rented Scooby Doo: Camp Scare.

Next year, I hope to introduce her to chick flicks, ice cream and Kleenex for the ultimate in girl bonding.

Bode and Jamie had a blast. The church owns property at Lookout Mountain, just 20 minutes outside of town. It was the ultimate in male bonding as Bode joined in the fun and played baseball, capture the flag and tag.

“At one point, the firefighters showed up and Bode got to talk with them and the policeman!” Jamie told me when they arrived home.

I figured it had to be some impressive merit badge to get that many public servants to their campsite.

“Naw,” Jamie continued. “It’s because they started a fire in the enclosed fire pit and there is a ban because of all the wildfires Colorado has been having.”

Scouts may have honor but no one ever said they were smart.

“And another thing,” Jamie worried divulged. “I think Bode may be a bit light in his loafers.”
“Why would you say that?” I queried.

As Jamie tucked Bode into his sleeping bag that night, Bode said:

“This was fun tonight but do you know what is better than camping?”
“What, Bode?”
“Musicals.”

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

Bike, Hike or Bust As We Stroll Down My Memory Lane of Misadventures

June 7, 2011 By

One of my favorite parts of our daily routine is going for family bike rides. However as Hadley struggled up the hill to our house last week, I noticed her bike is so small that her knees were practically in her chest (no small feat for a girl who inherited her father’s lack of flexibility).

I resolved to get her a new bike but there was a problem: We didn’t have the money and so I started surveying our house to see what I could sell. We got rid of most of our baby items but for sentimental reasons I have been holding onto two of them: Our beloved REI Baby Carrier Backpack and our Double Chariot Jogger/Bike Trailer, the Rolls-Royce of strollers.

These two items were our vehicles for adventure during my kids’ formative years and I have been strolling down memory lane as I part with them. There were the hundreds of hikes I did with both kids in the backpack.

Our marathon ride to Breckenridge with the Chariot bike trailer that almost did us in.

My crazy idea to snow hike with the kids in the Chariot at Chautauqua.
My Dumb-and-dumber attempt to haul both kids all the way to Golden.

Or the near-nervous breakdown it caused in Canada.

I sold the Chariot for $300 and in addition to purchasing some household items, I was thrilled to buy Hadley a kick-butt Specialized mountain bike with shocks yesterday. I’d like to say she effortlessly adjusted to her new bike but remember It’s Like Learning How to Not Kill Your Child As She Learns to Ride a Bike that detailed the travails of teaching her?

This was that bad and worse as she freaked out about being unable to reach the ground.

In retrospect, we should have lowered the seat.

As she lamented about her tough life, we were privy to a rather disturbing glimpse at Jamie’s.

“You know what I rode for TWO YEARS AFTER MY BIKE WAS STOLEN? THE CACTUS FLOWER!” he bellowed. “Yes, that’s right. We were so poor I had to ride my sister’s yellow bike with a white basket and daisies emblazed across it as my buddies rode $500 Redlines.”

We all have our moments of childhood trauma and judging from this list of misadventures, my kiddos will have a good share of their own.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family, Favorite Posts, hiking, Humor, Jamie, outdoors

Sweet Sabbath Day Solutions

June 5, 2011 By

It’s hot in Denver. Really hot. 95-degree weather is something I’d anticipate in July but not early-June.

Hence the reason why the kids and I will be spending most of next month in gloriously cooler Canada.

In this kind of weather, I make myself scarce. I wake up early to play outside and hunker down with my air-conditioner in the sweltering afternoon. Today is one of those days but it’s also Sunday. As a family rule and part of our faith, we try our darnedest to “keep the Sabbath day holy.” This is a matter of interpretation but for us, we try to spend time as a family. We avoid sporting events, uproarious activities and shopping and instead focus on bettering ourselves and those around us.

And napping. I luuuuuuv my Sunday nap.

We look forward to this “day off from our labors” and it truly is a wonderful time to rejuvenate and refocus our attentions on our family.

Unless it’s really hot and your husband turns on the sprinklers to water the lawn. Moments later, I heard Hadley bolt up the stairs. Now, let me preface this by saying what Haddie requested is in that gray area of Sabbath worship but I knew it would ultimately lead to other requests not in line with how we spend our day.

“Mommy, can we change into our swimsuits and race around in the sprinklers?”

“I don’t know, Hadley. Do you think that’s a very appropriate activity for the Sabbath?”

“I have an idea! We can sing church songs as we do it!”

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

What Summer Break Looks Like Chez Nous

June 3, 2011 By

In mid-June we start the onslaught of art and sports camps, followed by two weeks of swim lessons and then we’ll be in Canada for most of July.

The next two weeks are gloriously devoid of commitments and we are taking full advantage of them. Thus far we have seen PJs still on at 5 p.m.

Mismatched clothes….

….and a mother who is pretending she does not care.

A fridge stocked with lemonade and glorious fresh fruits.

Slip ‘n slides….


Bike rides in Cheeseman Park,
Slack rope walking,
Father-son sports bonding,

Crawdad fishing at Lakecrest Park with a bunch of kids from church.
(Hadley was the only girl getting down and dirty with the boys. I told her to play nicely because they are her future dating pool.)

Lest you think everyone is in a celebratory mood, let our thoughts turn to a very depressed Fat Kitty who is no longer allowed outside after his walk on the wild side.

We may have to make an exception to circumvent just how pathetic he has become.

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

The (Fat Kitty) Party’s Over

June 1, 2011 By


That’s right, folks: Fat Kitty ate his own invitation. Evidently he was still bitter over his traumatic photography session.

Haddie’s Fat Kitty-themed birthday party went off without a hitch thanks to my right-hand woman, Tina. There were games like the cats (kids) balancing the mouse (hard-boiled eggs) with a few uncooked ones thrown in to keep it interesting.
And then there was the tour on the darkest, scariest part of the house: Fat Kitty’s kitty litter box.
I didn’t clean it for the entire week, just to add to the effect.


And mostly because I was just lazy. No worries, though. The children’s kitty litter scooping contest involved Tootsie Rolls instead of poop.

Next time they won’t be so lucky.
All in all, it was a fun, low-maintenance party.


But the biggest question of the day: did Fat Kitty make an appearance at his own party? Fleetingly.


He’s still recovering from the trauma.

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

The Birthday Girl

May 31, 2011 By

You will have to indulge me with my next few posts because they are for the grandparents to see the happenings of Haddie’s birthday party.

And also for me. I can’t remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, let alone parties from years past. Anything I do not record is forever lost in my cranial void.

For the first time ever, I read some of Haddie’s letters to her and I am so glad to have made that record the past several years. She grinned with delight, laughed at the various pictures and marveled at my writing, “Wow, Mommy. You sure use juicy words!”

I’d like that on my tombstone.

But anyhew, back to my grandparent indulgence. Haddie’s seventh birthday started out with a bang that included her favorite breakfast on the “You Are Special Plate” (raspberries, bacon and Einstein Bros. Bagel Poppers), a surprise lunchroom visit from me to deliver a piece of birthday cake….


….a picture with the uncooperative cat and a family dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.

Some of these things were obviously much better than the others.

I’m not one to go overboard on birthday presents but I did this year because she was in dire need of some items like a new bedspread, craft supplies and clothes.

Hadley also went crazy for her new Chameleon Crocs. I was sent a pair for each child to review at Mile High Mamas but never imagined what a huge hit they would be. The reason? They change color when exposed to the sunlight.

I feel seriously gypped Crocs doesn’t make them in adult sizes.

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Chris bought her a new cooking set (important for an aspiring Casa Bonita chef), my parents bought her a new outfit and her first watch (note to self: teach her to tell time) and Grandma Johnson got her an amazing easel from IKEA. Hadley has transformed her room into an art studio and is so inspired she is planning a curbside “Art Stand” to sell her treasures.

And so it begins.

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

Redemption on Memorial Day

May 31, 2011 By

We had a gloriously low-key Memorial Day, the highlight of which was attending our ward’s Memorial Day picnic at a private lake. Conditions were really windy (thus summarizing our entire spring in Colorado) but we decided to take the kids for a ride in the canoe.

Now, let me preface this by saying our last adventure in a canoe a few years ago did not end well. In fact, I had a good chuckle reminiscing about Camping, Capsizing and Crying (all in a weekend at play).

Not-so chuckle-worthy? The addendum at the bottom of that post about my near-nervous breakdown.

But I am proud to say we did not come even close to capsizing this time around and I was thrilled to see how far we’ve come.

At least until our next attempt at camping this summer.

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

This would have been our fourth camera in three years

May 28, 2011 By

Me: “Hey, I found the camera!”

Jamie: “IT WAS MISSING?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Me: “Umm no, why do you ask?”

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

Happy 7th Birthday Letter to Hurricane Hadley

May 25, 2011 By

Hadley,

I find it amazing that Aunt Tammy’s twin toddlers have swapped personalities several times since they’ve been born. You, on the other hand, have been a constant from day 1 (well, as constant as a Hurricane could be). Always spirited, ever stubborn, forever fun, unceasingly vocal and frequently frustrated with limitations placed upon you when conquering your world.

No wonder you were such an irascible newborn; who could blame you when you couldn’t even scratch the top of your own head?

You successfully completed first grade and have grown a lot this year. You’ve improved leaps and bounds in your reading, and love (in this order): art, gym and music. Your best friend in class is a darling red-head named Cameron who’s one of the smartest and cutest boys in class.

Thus far, I approve of your choice in men.

You’re a great swimmer, an accomplished artist and are excited for your week-long art camp this summer. In fact, you’ve already surpassed Mommy with your drawings. Disclaimer: It doesn’t take much.

Participating in Destination Imagination was another highlight because it combined some of your very best talents: Imaginative play, bossing people around being a leader and performing for a crowd.

Though you’re still bitter you performed in an uninspired classroom and not on the stage for the world to see.

While other girls are wasting away playing Barbies and other feminine fluff, you spend hours, days conjuring up worlds and parties for your many stuffed animals and Fat Kitty. You talk often of what you want to do when you grow up. Sometimes, you’re a veterinarian. Other times you are a crazy cat lady run a cat hotel. You’ve recently become passionate about cooking and aspire to be a chef at Casa Bonita.

Locals will understand just how uninspiring that ambition is.

You’re already an intrepid traveler and are counting down the days until you ride the plane by yourself to see Grandma J. this summer. We took multiple ski trips and you conquered the intermediate runs at Park City Mountain Resort, Telluride, Echo Mountain and Crested Butte.

You’re always looking for new adventures and absolutely loved Disneyland, your Disney Cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta and our mommy-daughter trip to Puerto Rico.

Basically, your life does not suck.

A couple of my favorite memories occurred in Puerto Rico. We failed miserably at flying kites on El Morro’s expansive bluff overlooking the ocean but on our final night, we stood on the Marriott’s wind-whipped balcony. At that raw hour, it was tough to distinguish ocean from sky and the reflection from the hotel’s white lights pierced the ocean’s black. Our 20-story perch almost seemed to shake but then I realized it was just the air vibrating.

An idea took flight.

I grabbed our grounded kite and hurled it into the void. It dropped out of sight and then, almost as if it was mustering up courage, it swooped higher and higher. You squealed with delight as we marveled at the kite that had finally taken flight to sketch our good-byes in the sky.

I’m sure the hotel staff had differing opinions on our contraband kite-flying activities.

In the evenings at the San Juan Marriott, you loved to hit the dance floor. You’ve inherited my lack of rhythm but that did not hold you back. Hair and arms flailing, you rocked out to the music, causing everyone around you to stop and marvel.

Another mom on the trip tried to urge her insecure daughter to join you. “But I can never look as good as Hadley out there!” she protested. I looked at her incredulously. She obviously wasn’t really seeing you.

Or was she?

Through her eyes, you were a self-confident, hilarious and fearless girl who didn’t care what you looked like or what anyone thought of you. You were simply lost in the moment and living it to the very fullest you knew how. This quality is one of the things that makes you special…and unstoppable. Whether you someday become a “chef” at Casa Bonita or if you’re dancing by yourself, one thing is certain:

You will always fly.

Love,
Mommy

P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, read letters for your 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 birthdays.

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