first week of school

We survived the first week of school.

Dance hasn’t started back yet, but the girls were right back in the pool. They stay after school for additional swimming one night a week and this week they were the only ones in the pool. I know that will change – a handful of their friends have already signed up which they are so very excited about, but how lucky to have a big ol’ pool all to themselves today.

This is absolutely not allowed during regular swim sessions, but the teacher let them mess around since it was just the two of them.

The girls both got right back in their groove of homework and reading every night. This was my favorite project from Gwyneth:

Yep, she had to write what her favorite food is and she chose Spaghetti O’s. The girl who orders her NY strip medium rare and her lobster by the pound, chose Spaghetti O’s.

Saturday we went to visit Reagan at the hospital (more about our visit here) and then hosted a kids night out at the Kitchen that evening. The kids enjoyed pizza and we made lots of Minion treats.

We ended the weekend at the pool with their friends from Girl Scouts. Annabelle’s troop had a pretty good turn out, but it was just Gwyneth and her friend Riley. I couldn’t even snap a picture of them because they were too busy going down the slides.

reagan

As the girls were off to their 2nd day of school and B and I got lost in our work for the day, we received horrifying news from B’s sister. Our niece, Reagan was admitted to Children’s hospital and was diagnosed with B cell Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. There were tests to be run and treatments to discuss, but the day just stood still and everything else seemed to stop around us.

I wish my response to the news was articulate and eloquent, but it went something like this…”What the F***?!?!” (yeah, my mom reads this, but you know what I said). That’s about all you can say when an eight year old is diagnosed with cancer. A sweet, sassy, strong eight year old that is right between your own girls in age. An eight year old that just started 3rd grade a week ago. An eight year old that lost her grandmother to cancer less than two years ago.

I picked the girls up from school with tears in my eyes but held it together until we could get home and we could talk. Annabelle got very angry. Gwyenth got very scared and cried. They have heard the words “____ has cancer” far too many times in their short little lives.

They dove right in to preparing a care package for Reagan with stuffed animals and Madlibs and our whole family went to the hospital to see Reagan and to give her and Jen (B’s sister) big hugs. The very next day she had surgery, a spinal, and started chemo. Life can truly change forever in the blink of an eye.

B went back down on Thursday while the girls were at school and I took the girls again on Saturday. The treatments are taking their toll and Reagan was not feeling great, but oh boy were these gals happy to see each other. The frowns quickly turned to smiles and giggles and then hysterical laughter. As the girls and I were leaving a nurse stopped me and said that their laughter filled the entire floor and there was no greater sound than the giggles of little girls. I very much agreed!

Reagan and her entire family have a tough road ahead; several years of treatments. We are grateful to live close so we can see her often, hug her often, and help where we can. She is home now and the girls have a High School Musical marathon in the works.

I have a heavy-heart for Reagan, for her brother and her parents. I’m sad for our entire family. The past few years have not been the most kind to the Meyers. It has been a tough journey through illnesses and I feel we’re all a little broken. Thank goodness for sweet smiles, big laughs, and even bigger hearts proving you can never have too many monkeys in one bed…

first day of school: 4th and 3rd grade

We had a very full, wonderful summer but no matter how much fun it just seems to go by too quickly. It wasn’t easy and there was definitely bickering and tears (from all three of us!), but I will miss having these girls around and our adventures.

The alarm went off this morning and Annabelle hopped right out of bed and Gwyneth asked for 5 more minutes. New school year, but some things stay the same (grumpy morning, G!).

There wasn’t the usual drama, nervousness, anticipation of a new school year. I felt very at ease. The girls were calm too. We are really happy with their school and we have met their teacher and dropped of their supplies. We are prepared. The girls picked out new backpacks and tennis shoes, but the uniforms take away those new school clothes jitters and planning. They both have their own styles. Annabelle is quite sporty and has some new kangaroos (which were my favorite sneakers when I was her age!). Gwyneth is sparkly from backpack to tennis shoes.

I’m so proud of my little 3rd and 4th graders and know this is going to be a great year for them!

4th grade. Wowsers!

3rd grader! The baby is growing up!

getting out the last of those summer wiggles…

Annabelle is obsessed with Emojis right now. She even got some brainy emoji earrings for today!

Annabelle’s class has swimming today so it is right back in the routine and right back in the pool for them. She had to pack her swim gear and was feeling a bit weighed down. She will be back in her groove in no time.

I worked frantically while the girls were at school…because, well, that’s what I’ve done all summer. I did my best to take advantage of every minute. To stay productive. To keep on task. To work when necessary. To make the most of my time with my girls. The only pace I seem to know is frantic and honestly, I like the hustle.

I straightened up the house, worked through lunch and finished my daily “to do list”. Without distractions I was rather amazed at what I could get accomplished. At 1:00 I came upstairs from my office dungeon and saw this…

No more little swim bags hanging by the door anxiously waiting to go to the pool. No backpacks eager to start school. Just Gwyneth’s little sparkly crocks. Her favorite shows of summer. She has to wear tennis shoes to school so these favorites had to be checked at the door.

And then I got sad. I missed my gals and I felt lonely. I missed the noise in the house. I missed the giggles and the crafts and the endless questions. I’m so proud of the independent, happy people that I’m helping to create, but today I missed them.

I was nervous about pick up, because I was just so darn excited to see them and hear about their days. In the past, when I pick up they are exhausted and cranky and are typically complaining about something (the joys of being the mom, their comfortable place). Not today, they were all smiles and happiness. I heard things like:

“3rd grade is awesome!”

“This is going to be the best year ever!”

“I love my teacher!”

“I can’t wait to do my homework!” (What????)

“Want to read a fairy tale with me?”

It made my heart happy and we stopped on the way home for some custard and a little 1st day celebration. I’m so hopeful for this year and what these girls are going to accomplish.

summer break conclusion

I couldn’t be more excited about this weekend! We’ve been ticking off items on our summer bucket list and we saved our favorites for last. We hopped out of bed early to be the first visitors to the Botanic Gardens. It’s one of my absolute favorite places in the city. I adore it! The girls explore and I just take it all in. It’s the most beautiful, peaceful place.

The Japanese Gardens are my happy place. I could stay there for hours. I feel so good when we are there and the fresh air and beauty of the gardens change my attitude for the rest of the day. I really need to indulge in a membership.

I love that my girls dressed up for the day. Annabelle doesn’t love dresses much anymore, but she thought our adventures were “dress-worthy”. That’s my girl.

Off to explore the Children’s garden.

If it’s possible, I think the girls love the gardens as much as I do.

One of my favorites from our day

The Japanese Gardens: my happy place!

Honestly, how gorgeous is this place?

We had a birthday party booked at the Kitchen, so B went back to the burbs and the girls and I stayed downtown for some swim time on the roof of our hotel. I didn’t join them in the pool this time, but they had a grand time.

B made it back just in time for dinner. We had saved up gift cards and had a wonderfully indulgent meal at Morton’s. It’s a family favorite and it’s always funny to watch the girls order french onion soup, steak (medium-rate) and lobster cocktails. The servers faces always seem a bit shocked at their palettes, but we couldn’t be more proud. We’re raising some little foodies around here.

After dinner we walked across the street to listen to the music playing at Union Station.

It’s rocking over there these days — since they updated the area.

The fountains were going and the girls wanted to dip their toes in…

that quickly progessed to getting soaked. They were laughing wildly and Annabelle told me “this is a night I will never forget!”. Gwyneth promptly put her hand to my forehead and asked me if I had a fever because she couldn’t believe I let them get soaked in their fancy dresses. Always the jokester.

Our last day of summer break and we filled it with fun!

The girls up ready to conquer the day and asked for a morning swim.

We headed to the rooftop while B got them breakfast. We had the pool all to ourselves and I even joined them for a swim. The view was amazing and the water was nice and warm. Excellent start to the day.

After our swim, we grabbed lunch at Mellow Mushroom.

Looking fancy.

And life as we know it…

Our final stop was at the Art Museum. Another of our favs.

The interactive studios are the best. The girls got to paint with their hands…

And made a movie together…

And we explored and danced and sat on the moon…

It was great ending to the summer. Now time to pack up those backpacks and set the alarms. 3rd and 4th grade start bright and early tomorrow morning!

tea and bridging ceremony

Our last Friday of summer break. School starts on Monday.

I’m not gonna lie. I’m not in a rush for school to start. I love my time with these girls. I won’t lie – it wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns, but we had our fun and I’ve enjoyed making our rules and schedules and doing things our way. We ditched bedtimes and the girls slept in. I am not a care-free momma who goes with the flow, but I was definitely more relaxed and everyone was happier for it.

I’m so grateful for yet another fun summer.

We went for a mother daughter tea at Wildflowers Cafe. I love how the girls are learning to try new teas and foods. They don’t love it all, but they are always willing to give it a shot.

Tonight was a big night for Miss Ananbelle. She bridged from Brownies to Juniors. It was a really special night for her and she was so very proud. We had a wonderful ceremony and celebration for the girls and I love forward to many more adventures with this group in the coming year.

snow white and ice cream social

Summer is winding down. It seems to end as soon as it is getting started. We hosted our last summer cooking class today. We had a lovely visit from Snow White and made delicious caramel apples…that seemed like the better choice for insurance purposes; although the kids really wanted to make poison apples. I guess you can’t please ’em all.

Annabelle stuck around for the caramel apples and then spent the day with her friend Olivia.

Their Grumpy Dwarf faces..

…and their Sleepy Dwarf faces…

We had a lot of great camps this summer. I enjoy being creative and menu planning and coming up with new themes. The classes are hard work but I love having the kids in the Kitchen.

Tonight was the ice cream social at school where the girls got to see friends, meet their new teachers, and drop off their supplies.

Annabelle is very excited about fourth grade.

This is the first time Gwyneth has had the same teacher as Annabelle. She couldn’t be more thrilled. She loves Mrs. Certain and walked in the room likes she own the place.

Mrs.Certain has been so great to both these ladies. I can’t wait for another great year.

Great opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Happy girls

colorado history, capital, and white fence farm

We had a great day planned downtown and had friends join us for the fun. We started at the Colorado History Museum, which we all love. I think it’s one of the most underrated in the city. It’s never crowded and there is always so much to learn and explore.

The Awkward Family Photo exhibit was a crack up.

The girls even got an opportunity to pose in their most awkward shots.

We grabbed lunch and then off to the state capital.

We took the guided tour which gave us an opportunity to go all the way up in the dome. I saw we, but I sat out of the last floor because I was freaked out. I’m so afraid of heights. Thank goodness for my friend, Pam because she took all the kiddos up to the top.

I highly recommend this tour. What a great bit of Colorado government and history!

The girls were ready to tackle all the stairs.

We climbed hundreds of stairs and they did an extra 100 because they went all the way to the top of the dome.

After a very busy day we dropped off the girls’ friends and then stopped by home to pick up B for dinner. We met the Tyler’s at White Fence Farm, which has become a summer tradition. I tried for a change of venue because its a bit of hike for everyone and we were worn out but the kids were not having it. “It’s a tradition!!!” Annabelle proclaimed so off we went and of course it was just the best time. Long live the tradition and we welcome any opportunity to see Tylers. We sure do love those peeps.

star wars and game night

We hosted a Star Wars party at the Kitchen today. Our girls haven’t seen the new movie yet (Gwyneth may never see it! She doesn’t like the old Star Wars movies and B and I are not on the Star Wars bandwagon either). Anyway, there’s definitely a demand for the theme so we put together a little camp at the kitchen. The kids had fun and we made some creative snacks.

The girls each had a friend over for a sleepover tonight. Annabelle’s friend, Morgan and Gwyneth’s friend, Jenna joined us for dinner and a night of games. The big girls went off and hid in Annabelle’s room for most of the night and the littles played dress up in the basement. When they each have a friend over my nights are very quiet!

painting and cupcake wars: gwyneth style

The girls are hooked on painting and crafts and have spent a lot of their summer time working on art projects. They attended a class at Whimsy this morning painting jellyfish. They love the freedom and the creativity and spending a few dollars on soda and snacks.

Gwyneth invited friends to the kitchen for a cupcake wars party. It was a full house and there were lots and lots of cupcakes. It was so great to see old friends, new friends, girl scout friends.

renaissance fair

We took our yearly trip down to Larkspur to visit the Renaissance Festival. We almost missed it this year, but made it the very last day of the fair. The girls love it. They still look forward to seeing the fairies, the rides and all the food.

We stay a few hours and I get my fill. The people watching is always quite interesting. This year we got lucky with cooler weather which was glorious (about 20 degrees cooler than normal!).

Off to the fair