Author: pazmeyer

fun run, firestation, and final art class

The school year is nearing an end. Just a few more days of having a 1st and 2nd grader. 
Today was the school’s Coyote Fun Run and each student participating received a t-shirt. The girls were pretty darn excited. 
Annabelle requested curls. The most important preparations for a run are in the hair, of course. 
Gwyneth and I joined Annabelle’s girl scout troop for a tour of the local fire station.  I didn’t take one single picture, but I did manage to sneak a pic of  these lovely orange infused chocolate cupcakes. B had an event tonight that he hosted with Oil & Vinegar. Yum, yum!
The girls’ last day of art class was this week. They had a blast and were sad to see it end. I surprised them with ice cream after class. Sweet treat for sweet friends. 

mom weekend with kristen

Kristen and I were treated to a fabulous mom’s weekend away together. How fabulous are our husbands? They took on all the kid duties and we got to sneak away to catch up, relax, and sleep! Well, we didn’t really sleep much…we stayed up so late talking, and talking, and talking. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip or travel companion. Kristen is such a dear friend and I’m so thankful to have her in my life. I miss her terribly and wish that she lived right next door again. They seem wonderfully happy in California though so I’m just going to have to plan more visits and enjoy these perfect little get-a-ways whenever we can get them! 
This is my luggage for the weekend. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you’ve traveled with two young daughters for the past 7 years this feels like nothing short of a miracle.
We got right down to business and enjoyed crab topped clam chowder on the wharf, toured the wax museum (fabulously cheesy fun), sampled chocolate in Ghiradelli square, walked the wharf, picked up souvenirs for the kids in China town, ate garlicky goodness and laughed our way through a Shakespeare Improv show…..and that was just our first day!
Our 2nd day included more time on the wharf, a delicious breakfast, a walk through Golden Gate Park, a tour of the de Young museum, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and a late lunch and ice cream in Haight-Ashbury. 
The trip was such a whirlwind. It felt like it ended as quickly as it started. I’m so grateful to have this time with Kristen and especially grateful to my husband for shipping me off to see a dear friend just when I needed it most. 

art and park

After art class today we visited the park. We are quickly counting down the days until school gets out. It’s just around the corner, but still feels so far away. 
Showing off their well-earned blisters from the monkey bars this year

daisy: three leaf farm

Tonight was the last official meeting for Gwyneth’s Daisy troop. We met at Three Leaf Farm, which is amazing. They provide local, fresh, organic foods to many of the restaurants in the area. They are also a bee farm which was intriguing and frightening all at the same time. It was really interesting to hear about the bee/honey harvesting, but I have to admit I’m still terrified to be stung. 

Each of the girls got to pick their own carrot. Gwyneth’s reaction was priceless. 

The beehives. This was with a powerful zoom lens. I can assure you I went no where near! 

bmk: grouchy ladybug

I have a blast with the Little Cooks and Books series we do at the kitchen. It’s a fun way to get the little kids in the kitchen, get them involved and comfortable. This week was The Grouchy Ladybug. We used apples, some candy eyes, mouths, and a little chocolate to make these yummy treats. They were a big hit with the kids. 

I usually do these classes on Fridays but occasionally I’ll throw in a Saturday so my girls can join in too. They made the cutest little lady bugs and gobbled them up.

They spent some time with us at the kitchen and then the afternoon with B’s dad while we hosted a birthday party.

We hosted a cupcake wars birthday party and I was pretty impressed with what the girls came up with. These parties are a huge hit — what’s not to love about cupcakes and candy really?

The cookies and cream and pretzel cupcake…gotta love the sweet and savory together. 
The winner: carmelized apples with a cinnamon frosting. Yum!

wow museum

The girls had the day of school and it was quite rainy and ugly outside. We had the grand idea to meet friends at the Wow Museum.  I guess we’re not very innovative in our planning, because lots of people had the same plan and it was quite crowded. We didn’t care though, the girls were just happy to be out of school and I was happy to have them home and able to hang out with friends. 

After our museum adventure we all went for lunch at the Super Mini Walnut Cafe. There were many pancakes and hot chocolates and happy faces.

Gwyneth, Clara, and Annabelle ready for pancakes and pb&j’s
The boys. Do they look impressed with these girls or what??
Fabulous group of kiddos!
After lunch we joined Eleanor and Clara for the movie, Home. It was quite funny and I even managed to stay awake during the entire movie (I’ve fallen asleep in the last few kids movies we have gone to see…shhhhh). The girls liked the movie and Gwyneth said her favorite part was that the mom didn’t die in this one. That is a very pleasant change from most of the Disney movies we watch!

It seemed our day was just getting started. We headed over to Gwyneth’s friend Ruby’s house for dinner with the Billeras and Feldermans. I baked some little brownie bites which led to a brownie bite contest. These suckers are really rich, but the adults had a go and they were all gone when the night was done. Good, good times!

field trip: arvada center

I joined Gwyneth’s class on a field trip to the Arvada Center. It was kind of a strange little field trip. They did a little acting, did a little crafting, but it didn’t feel very extraordinary like going to see a play or a trip to a museum. I suppose just getting out of school and exploring with friends is exciting in 1st grade though. Annabelle’s 1st grade field trip was to the Science Museum and this year she went to see Charlotte’s Web. I can’t help but feel that Gwyneth got a little short changed. 
She was perfectly happy to be out playing with her friends…
Her buddy, Brody. A natural little actor. 
She doesn’t look the least bit disappointed, does she?

After the field trip we delivered 150 cupcakes to the school for the carnival tonight. That’s a LOT of baking. 

annie

We’ve had our tickets to see Annie since Christmas. We were so, so excited. I love taking the girls to the theater and especially for this show because we have such a bond over it. It was my very favorite movie when I was little and I introduced it to the girls very young — probably a bit too young — but we all love it! The songs, the characters, the songs. We joined Amy and Bella for dinner and cotton candy and at the Corner Office and then off to the show. 
I would like to think it’s because I have raised them so remarkably well that they enjoyed the show but both like the movie better. There’s just no replacing Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan.
me and my little ladies ready for a night on the town

girl scout camp {day 2}

The girls had a blast exploring the camp grounds, doing crafts, going on a scavenger hunt, and we joined other troops for a bonfire and smores. The older girls got up and did a skit that had our girls cracking up. I was so proud of them because completely unrehearsed they hopped up and performed 3 songs for the entire camp. This is a group of smart, funny, confident girls. They are a force, each and every one of them.  

My girls, a little chilly, heading to dinner. Silly earmuffs for silly girls. 

checking out the wildlife right by our cabin

girl scout camp {day 1}

With 11 girls and 9 moms in tow, we spent the weekend at Tomahawk Girl Scout Camp. Now, I’m aware to most this is not camping, as there was plumbing and bunk beds in our cabin. Whether it is camping or not, it was AN EXPERIENCE! I couldn’t be luckier that Gwyneth is involved in such an amazing troop. The girls are great and the moms are equally fabulous.  We made great, great memories that will be talked about for years to come. 
The best way to some it up for me was: I dreaded it before we left, couldn’t wait for it end while I was there, and then wished I could do it all over again as soon as we drove away! 
I was lucky enough to take both of my girls and our dear neighbor Brielle.

Around the world Bingo winners
Bedtime! 

Our first night was quite an adventure. We were camping at 9,000 feet so I was pushing the water hard to keep the girls hydrated. Gwyneth had to go to bathroom at midnight but didn’t actually find the toilet. She found the shower. I found her standing in the shower, sound asleep, fully clothed in her pj’s –peeing! What??? I changed her bottoms and put her right back to bed. The next morning she woke up and asked “what happened to my pants???” Oh that girl!!
Annabelle woke up at 12:30 freaked out — we’re real outdoorsy girls around here in case you hadn’t noticed. She was up from about 12:30 to 2:30 certain she was so scared she was going to throw up. So she dry-heaved over the toilet for about 2 hours. So back to bed at 2:30 am and wouldn’t you know it the girls were up and ready to start the day at 6:30 a.m. YAWN!!!!