colorado state nursery

What a weekend! Honestly, it’s been an intensely hectic several weeks.

My mom was out to visit and I managed to snap just one picture of her with Gwyneth right before we had to leave for the airport. I’m working like crazy these days and I didn’t get to spend much time with her or the girls this weekend. It has been frustrating, but I’m trying to remember the benefits of these small businesses and that it really ebbs and flows.

I was able to escape for a bit with Gwyneth and her girl scout troop up to Fort Collins for an afternoon learning about the Colorado State Forest Services. We explored the nurseries, learned about conservation and volunteer opportunities, and about forest fire prevention.

I found it informative and loved all the greenery. On the ride home Gwyneth casually announced “well, that field trip was not my favorite”. Ha! You win some, you lose some….at least I had some quality time with that little lady.

Each of the girls was able to pick out a tree to take home and plant. I didn’t get a pic of each one with their tree…some like to pose more than others.

It’s so lovely to see Gwyneth and Brielle fall into step with each other. They are the only two left from their original troop and although they have made new friends in this troop they tend to still gravitate towards one another. Those kindergarten friendships are keepers!

Our guide was awesome…and truly committed to nature and conservation. He told the girls stories about how he rescues cats and he now has a farm with over 60 cats. 60 cats?!?!

the whole gang:

The girls had a sleepover the night before with their dear friend, Charity and then Gwyneth and I spent 3 hours in the car today for the field trip. Annabelle went off to work a birthday party at Blue Mountain Kitchen with B. Gwyneth and YaYa set their sites on finishing the Jurrassic World Lego mansion the girls received for Christmas. As soon as B and Annabelle got home from the kitchen we had to leave for the airport. YaYa’s visit went by way too quickly and we are all pretty worn out!

creating bunny treats

Gwyneth’s troop met at our house this evening and made bunny treats for the local bunny rescue. What a mess!!! Holy smokes there were cheerios and….just a mess everywhere. Yikes!

The girls had a good time, earned a badge, and decided how to spend their cookie money.

davinci and girl scout photography night

Monday morning of Spring Break arrived cold and snowy. I talked the girls into exploring the DaVinci exhibit at the Science Museum with me even though I know they would have preferred to stay in their pajamas.

I really enjoy a good trip through a museum. I couldn’t spend an entire day exploring but I appreciate my families eagerness to check it out…and then get the heck out. Gwyneth is probably the exception to that rule. She can typically waste a day away exploring too.

The DaVinci exhibit just opened and it’s pretty amazing.

We learned so many thins about The Mona Lisa. I think the girls were actually pretty engrossed by that portion of the exhibit.

We made it home in time for Gwyneth’s Girl Scout meeting. The girls played with digital photography. They had a great time using their phones, ipads and a few even had digital cameras. They had a blast taking pictures of each other!

girl scouts at color me mine

After a busy mountain weekend, we were right back at it with Girl Scouts on Monday night. Our painting meeting was rescheduled a few weeks ago due to weather and the girls were pretty excited to be in the studio.

They are a very sweet group of girls and were eager to paint. They did a great job and I was so impressed that they cleaned up their entire space before leaving. Looking forward to seeing these gems come out of the kiln.

world thinking day

Oh boy, I really have to pay more attention at our girl scout meetings. I had no idea what I was getting myself into tonight. I thought it was a girl scout event, but it was a school event that we joined with the troop. The kicker it was at the girls’ old public school….which I haven’t been to in years. That was a blast from the past and we saw lots of old friends and familiar faces. I even ran into Annabelle’s old kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers who were quite surprised to see us there.

Gwyneth did a great job setting up her booth and she seemed pretty happy to run in to a few of her besties along with spending a fun night with her troop.

food prep for world thinking day

Gwyneth and I volunteered to make the snacks for World Thinking Day. And when I say “Gwyneth and I” I should be clear that I really mean B, right? He was a trooper and offered to help us make all the treats and of course to use his kitchen.

We let the troop know that we were making treats for the night and a few others joined us to help out. We made enough treats for two booths to serve 150-200 people in about 2 hours. That was all thanks to B. He kept us on task and really did all the hard work for us.

girl scout holiday party

These are the days that stretch us thin. They wear us out and wear us down. After all the hub-bub, we snuggle up close, stay up too late (I think we maybe we are too tired to even drag ourselves upstairs to bed), and sleep so well. Both girls have dance classes – not at the same time, of course, that would be far too easy!

B spent his evening driving back and forth to dance while I set up for the girl scout party. We hosted Gwyneth’s holiday party at our house with festive food, games, and a gift exchange. I didn’t take many pictures but the girls all enjoyed themselves and had lots of laughs.

We ended the meeting with a parent’s meeting regarding cookies. I can’t believe it’s time to start thinking about cookie sales again….oh my, let’s get through the holidays first please!

halloween dances and parties

Oh boy, these are the days! The days that are just filled to the brim. They are fast-paced, and a bit hectic, and quite exhausting! They are filled with school, and work, and dance, and dinners in the car on the way to Girl Scouts. B and I have to split up and we’re dashing about town running children everywhere.

And then at the end of the night….we all ‘jam up, and grab our books, and sprawl on the couches in our family room, and read together. We share blankets and I have little smelly dance feet in my lap and we all just slow down.

Annabelle helping out in the kitchen before Gwyneth’s dance performance.

Off to the Girl Scouts Halloween Party!

juniors gardener badge

Gwyneth and I joined her girl scout troop for a day at the Botanic Gardens. It was a beautiful, warm, Colorado day! The girls had to complete a booklet of activities in order to earn their gardeners badge. It took them several hours to complete all their tasks, but they were all really into it and they had a great time.

juniors | girl scout way

Tonight was the first meeting of Gwyneth’s new girl scout troop. She joined a new troop with just one friend from her old troop. She was kind of nervous although she does know a few of the girls from her old school. It’s always tough going into a new situation and I was really proud of her. I agreed to stay on as a co-leader so we’re in it together.

B was awesome and made us minestrone from scratch for dinner. It was amazing. It might just be the best soup I have ever had. He made us a lot so when the girl scouts arrived they ate some up too.

New group of girl scout friends.