Super Saturday

...started with a Pride soccer game at Woodmen Hills park. It was windy and cold.  We tried to set up the tent to block the wind.  It didn't help.  The boys played a great game.  Jacob played goalie the first half, and then defense in the second.  I can't remember the score, but I know they won.

After the game, we ate lunch with Grandpa Wayne at his house.  Afterwards, we headed to Denver for LEGO KidsFest.  There were so many kids and SO many LEGOs.  It was a kids dream come true.  The Big Brick Pile was awesome.  Kids were stepping on the LEGOs to get to the middle of the pile.  Seems wrong to step on them, and it doesn't seem like sitting on them would be very comfortable either, but the kids didn't care.

It was so funny.  William would put one piece on and show John and I. I would then take a picture and he'd leave.  This process occurred several times.  John and I joked that I could make a flip book and William's creation would get bigger and bigger with each flip of a page.

After about 2.5 hours, we left.  We ate at Landry's Seafood.  It was good, and I've always wanted to stop there.  I see it just about every time I go to Denver.  Towards the middle of the meal, Ian started getting hungry and fussy.  I managed to "fix" him long enough to enjoy dinner, but when we left the real fun began. He started crying right away.  At first, I just thought he was hungry.  So we stopped just outside of Denver  at a Safeway and I fed him in the parking lot.  As soon as we left, he started crying again.  We thought he'd give up and stop eventually...nope.  He cried all the way home!!  That was the longest ride of my life.  I knew we'd have to "pay" for taking him with us but I didn't think he'd cry for over an hour and 60+ miles.  Despite the horrible ride home, we had a great time.  The boys were so good, and I'm just happy we were able to take them.

Pioneer Museum

Today Jacob's 3rd class went to the Pioneer Museum.  I was so excited because I work in the building right next to the museum.  For me to be able to just walk over there was a huge time saver.  This is especially neat because I love doing school stuff with the kids but rarely get the opportunity to do it.

Jacob and I had a really good time.  I think we learned a lot.  Well, least I did.  Jacob already seemed to know it all because they've been learning about it in his class.  Then again Jacob thinks he knows everything.  Turns out he does know a lot.  He remembers everything!  I think he could have given the tour.  In fact, our tour guide recommended he look into becoming a junior tour guide when he gets into middle school.  He said he definitely wants to sign up. I think he would be absolutely perfect for it.

We learned how the Pioneer Museum used to be the court house for Colorado Springs.  We learned about General Palmer and Helen Hunt Jackson.  Did you know, that part of her house is actually inside the museum?  I think that's so cool.  We also learned about the Ute Indians and Artus Van Briggle.

So...I THINK Jacob learned something but I KNOW he had a great time.  Afterwards, since it was nice, we ate lunch outside.  The kids got back on the bus and headed back to school.

Choir & Soccer

Saturday morning, Jacob's choir and several other D11 choirs all came together for a performance at Palmer High School.  It was something special.  It's neat to hear children sing.  The music really seems to come from the heart.

I didn't know it, but Jacob and three other girls did a some fun choreography during the "Give my Regards to Broadway" song.  He couldn't stop smiling.  I could tell he was lovin' the spotlight and all the attention.  I uploaded a couple of short videos - We'll Rise Above and We are Family  These are the songs the choirs sang as a large group at the end of the performance.

Later that afternoon, we went to see Jacob's soccer team play.  Since Jacob was injured last Wednesday, he wasn't able to play, but he was there to cheer on his team.  I volunteered to take pictures.  I think I got some good shots.  I had to do a lot of running. And of course, no matter where I was the team was always at the other end.  I think they really could have used Jacob.  The defense wasn't great, and they just weren't playing as good as normal.  The other team had way too many goal scoring opportunities.  When we left, the score was 2-0 in favor of the other team.  Hope they were able to turn it around!

I captured this shot just as we were leaving. 

Jive Talkin'

Ian sure does have a lot to say. He must get that from his brother, Jacob. This is an audio clip of him talking right before bed. He has his hand in his mouth which is why it's a little muffled.

The Muff that Stole My Heart

William and I absolutely love the mini chocolate chip muffins from Costco.  I originally bought them for the kids but when they weren't eating them I decided to try them.  Can't let them go to waste, right?  It was love at first bite.  They are so yummy and go great with my morning coffee.

Anyway, not sure when it happened but William finally tried them and decided he liked them too.  He says we should have a muffin eating contest.  I told him that's a battle he'd lose.  He seems to think otherwise.

The other day I bought muffs after promising him I would.  It didn't take long but before I knew it there were only a few left.  William was coming back on Friday and wouldn't have any muffs.  I knew he'd be devastated.  So, I had my mom pick some up for us.  Friday, he walked in the door and almost had a breakdown.  "JANE! You ate all the muffs!!"  I quickly pulled out the new container filled to the top with golden brown and delicious muffs.  With a sigh of relief and a smile on his face, balance was restored.  He celebrated by having a muff. 

Ahh...sweet, yummy muffs.

Legacy

This weekend we had a lot of fun. Friday night we played Monopoly. William won. I think he had the right approach to the game. Buy whatever you you can, and people will pay you money. I haven't played in a long time. You could play that game for days! BTW, we didn't. Thank goodness for an early bedtime.

Saturday, me, William and Ian watched a lot of Garfield and washed a lot of laundry.  With three boys in the house, the laundry is never done.  Jacob and John went for haircuts and spring jacket shopping.  Wouldn't you know, the last place they went to, the place they almost went to first but didn't, had a jacket.  Poor guys!  We went to Jacob's soccer game in the evening.  Afterwards, we went to Village Inn to celebrate both boys finishing the ST Math program at school. 

Sunday, we went to Denver to watch cousin Andrew become an Eagle Scout.  It was a very nice ceremony at Grace Presbyterian Church.  Andrew worked very hard and definitely earned it.  He gave his Grandpa, who is also an Eagle Scout, the mentor pin.  How special is that?  What an impact he has made in the lives of his grandchildren.  Makes me wonder about my own children.  What kind of legacy will I leave with them?  The question is not, "Will we leave a legacy?"  The question is, "What kind of legacy will we leave?"  We all leave a legacy.  What will people remember most about you when you're gone? 

Happy Easter

I wanted to buy Ian a little suit for Easter but they really don't make them for babies before the age of 12 months, and if you can find one it's really expensive.  I settled for a onesie from FAO Swartz with a tie embroidered on it.  He's all dressed up and ready to go.  He was a very good boy at church, and made friends with the people in the row behind us.  But then again who wouldn't love that face?

Smile

You know it really is hard to be in a bad mood when this boy smiles at you. You can't help but smile back, and when you do, you suddenly forget why you were made in the first place.

I love this boy. He has brought so much happiness to my life and others.

Boys

Saturday, after Jacob's soccer game, we went to Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza. It's like Christmas in there! The whole place is filled with four wheelers, motorcycles, dirt bikes, scooters and more! The boys, John included, have already picked out what they want. It's too bad everything is so expensive. Maybe one day they'll get something. Until then, we'll just have fun visiting the shop.

Posing with the motorcycles

My Blog Book

I found a company that allows you to easily convert a blog into a book. What a wonderful idea. I just received mine Saturday, and I love it. What a scrapbooking time saver!

If your interested in doing the same, check out Blurb. I downloaded the SmartBook software. It was pretty easy to use, and while the books are a little expensive, it's still cheaper than creating the book yourself. I highly recommend it. Check it out!

The Right Bag

My mom recently started making bags designed my Amy Butler. She has an Etsy shop if you're interested in purchasing one. She can also make custom orders...it helps if your local though. She does a great job. The workmanship is excellent. The bags are so handy and can be used for almost anything. This is her latest creation. I really like the bright colors. It definitely looks like a summer bag. If your interested, let me know or check out her shop.

Front View

Side View

Inside

A Smart Addiction

Finishing book #5

Jacob LOVES to read. Lately he's been reading the Percy Jackson books. In fact, he just finished the last book in the series this morning. He's very anxious to start the next series. The books are a little advanced for his age but it makes sense since he's so smart.