football day

We are in the heart of football season around here. Every Sunday is the same except for those pesky bye weeks. We prepare our favorite snacks and invite some of our favorite peeps over for the game. Today the Tyler’s joined us and we had such a great time catching up with them. Everyone’s schedules are so busy and I’m grateful we can find these afternoons to get together. Unfortunately today I snapped some photos of the food and Gwyneth with her Bronco M&Ms and then not one single picture of the kids playing together. Ugh! Next time for sure…

paint for dyslexia

Gwyneth was diagnosed with dyslexia two years ago. I never did post about her diagnosis out of respect for her. She didn’t want to share it with anyone. A lot has changed in two years. She is now more empowered and she is proud to be dyslexic. I will have to go back and share our experience now that I have her permission.

Gwyneth has been very lucky. She has access to dedicated teachers, tutors and a wonderful education. She was tested and diagnosed early and she thrives in her studies. Many children do not have access to the tools that she does and it’s important to our family that we give back. One of the biggest issues we have found with dyslexia is the lack of education. Even teachers and administrators have so little information to help students.

We wanted to raise awareness and allow others to get the help that Gwyneth has received. October is dyslexia awareness month so it was fitting that we did a fundraiser at Color Me Mine. We donated all the studio fees for the day to Made by Dyslexia. We are so grateful to all the customers who came to paint and especially to Gwyneth’s buddies who joined her for the event. It’s so amazing to see the support she has — this girl is loved!

fall football day

We are doing our absolute best to NOT work on Sundays. It’s a challenge with these small businesses, but we need the day to unwind. I have high hopes that we’ll go and do something grand, but when the day arrives everyone wants to just hang out and relax. I certainly can’t complain about that.

This Sunday we grabbed breakfast all together at La Peep and shared stories of my obsession with La Peep in Chicago. I was pregnant with Annabelle and craved pancakes. The girls love to hear those stories.

B ran to the store for football snacks and I ran the girls around town so they could use up some of their gift cards. They had been holding on to those suckers since their birthdays and couldn’t wait any longer. They knew exactly what they wanted and they made me so proud because each of them bought a little something for their sister with their own money. My favorites were the best friends forever bracelets that they exchanged and are now proudly wearing.

The girls’ friend Ruby joined them for an afternoon of fun at our house. They wanted to ride bikes and enjoy the beautiful weather. B was happy to read his book and watch football all afternoon. I didn’t hear a peep out of him while I wasted my afternoon doing laundry and watching a Harry Pottery marathon.

Ruby’s parents came to pick her up right before the Bronco game started. They stuck around and had dinner with us, had some cocktails, watched the game, and we had the best time catching up while the kiddos played. The Broncos played terribly, but the night was not a loss with such lovely friends.

The girls’ pumpkins found their way to the porch. Annabelle was eager to rake some leaves, but we had very few fall off the trees yet.

A beautiful day for a bike ride

Loving the fall colors

Buddies since kindergarten

Bunny ears – Miss Gwyneth may have an unfair height advantage here!

My sassy girl and her sassy blue hair (it’s chalk because her school doesn’t allow the permanent colors, much to her dismay).

Ah, Colorado in the fall sure is something!

pumpkin patch

We spent a spooky night at the pumpkin patch. We were joined by a few girls from Gwyneth’s girl scout troop and Annabelle’s friend, Molly and her family.

I must admit I planned this little outing and it was a bit of a fail. It got dark very early which made it really hard for the kids to find great pumpkins. I felt silly for the planning fail, but no one complained and the girls all seemed to have a great time. My girls kept talking about how cool and creepy it was to be there at night.

Spooooky!

fall break | great wolf lodge

We had grand plans for Fall Break. We booked a trip to Mexico and couldn’t wait to go. Unfortunately with the new studio and new employees we just couldn’t get away for the week. Luckily we were able to move our tickets and the hotel rooms for later next year. We were bummed not to go, but made the most of our time here together.

We quickly booked a room at Great Wolf Lodge and spent two days in Colorado Springs. The girls love the pool and we splurged and got the PAW pass for them to explore more games and activities around the hotel. We had a great time and the girls were pretty happy with the adventure.

swimming at southlands

We are getting a little too comfy at the hotel down by my Aurora studio. I wanted to spend some time at the studio this weekend and Annabelle had a girl scout event Sunday down in Parker. We took advantage of the owners discount at the Marriott and got a room.

We met Gus to watch the Rockies game and then the girls spent the rest of the evening swimming. Truly one of the best parts about the new studio is seeing our great friends who live down south so much more often.

bears vs packers

Monday Night Football this week was my favorite match up : Bears vs Packers!

Don and Hanna, joined us for the game…Andy had football practice that evening so he couldn’t make it. We were bummed we didn’t get to see Andy, but it was so great to see the rest of the Lemek gang. It had been way too long.

We all sure did miss Jess tonight. It has been 7 years since she left us (post back here). She has missed so much in those 7 years and we have all really missed her. That little Hanna has all her fierceness!

girl scouts | gwyneth is a junior

Oh boy, let me tell you, this day did NOT go as planned!

Gwyneth was so, so, so…SO excited to become a Junior. Ever since Annabelle had her bridging ceremony (posted back here) she has been planning her own. This girl loves girl scouts and couldn’t wait to get that green Juniors vest.

There were a few jumbled plans and B booked a catering gig that evening which she was a bit bummed about. The show must go on though so we headed over to the bridge she had picked out and started setting up.

The skies turned dark quickly and we knew we wouldn’t have long before the rain storm arrived. She REALLY wanted the brown and green balloons and we did our best to get them in place. The wind was blowing like crazy!

The girls made it over the bridge to receive their new vest right before the rain started to pour on us. We quickly gathered up our supplies and ate cupcakes huddled underneath a nearby rain shelter. It definitely was not the celebration that Gwyneth had in mind.

When we got back to our house Annabelle and I could tell Gwyneth was sad about the night. Annabelle asked to take lots of pictures and then went over the top trying to make sure Gwyneth felt really special. Annabelle is a pretty great big sister and Gwyneth was as happy as can be!

Brownies ready to become Juniors

Such sweet girls

Me and my girl

Sisters!

conferences

We are all finding our groove and after a few rough weeks things seem to be coming together with the new studio. The girls had the day off for conferences and I was able to take the day off as well to spend with them.

The girls woke up bright and early and got themselves ready for those conferences. They got extra credit for dressing nicely for their conferences. The teachers requested they not wear jeans and tshirts or athletic wear since they were presenting during the conferences. Our children took this as “we should dress for Morton’s”. Yes, those were the words that were used. They looked pretty snazzy…even to just run a few errands for the day.

We had to hit the girl scout store so we grabbed a quick lunch at Wahoo’s.

Then it was off to conferences were we received such positive feedback on both of our little ladies. They are having a great year and we’re very proud of them.

Gwyneth wanted to show us her locked which is pretty much a holder of fabulous trinkets and snacks! That girl!

We grabbed some celebratory slushies after those wonderful conferences.

eltich gardens

Miss Gwyneth had a difficult decision to make regarding this evening. She was invited to a sleepover at her dear friend Ella’s house and she also had a ticket to join us at Elitch Gardens. After quite an internal struggle, the sleepover won out. We were bummed she didn’t join us but it gave us a little one on one Annabelle time which is pretty great.