princess

science museum

We don’t host camps at the Kitchen on Wednesdays because it’s our busy, busy meal service day. This means I get my baking done very early over the summer, we unfortunately don’t get to see much of B because he’s cooking up a storm, and I spend the rest of the day entertaining my ladies. I like to squeeze in something fun. A little adventure. In July they are attending camps and summer school programs, so I really do try and make the most of our time together. 
Today I surprised them with a trip to the Science Museum. We were worried about crowds, but it wasn’t bad at all. We got to visit Outer Space, the sun, and a few planets in the Planetarium: 
And then we were off to explore the museum. Annabelle’s favorite part is the Exploration Health Exhibit. She could stay there all day. Gwyneth likes the Discovery Zone. 
How cute are these sisters?
We had lunch at the museum and then took a trip to The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys. This was on our Summer Bucket List and I was eager to introduce the girls to a new Denver attraction. 
It is a little bit creepy. The first floor was full of miniature houses and the museum employees had a great scavenger hunt for the girls to find tiny little items in the displays. Then we went upstairs…
Lots of dolls. Old school dolls with those blank glassy eyes that give me the shivers. I hurried the girls through those rooms. I hurried them right into a room full of clown dolls! You have never seen Gwyneth move so fast….right to the exit. She was having none of that and I don’t blame her one bit. 
After our day of museums we spoiled our dinner with ice creams at Abbots because it’s summer and sometimes you just need waffle cups, and chocolate almond ice cream and gummy bears. Sometimes you just need to enjoy these little faces, and sit at the window, and talk about your day, and hatch a plan for what to do tomorrow, and the next day, and for birthdays, and 3rd and 4th grade (gasp!) and wait for daddy to get home to eat dinner very late, because it’s summer! 

cakes and basketball

Our summer camps are up and running at the Kitchen and we are busier than ever. We had our first summer Cake Boss party today and it was a big hit. It may be my new favorite. Our theme was simply “Summer” and the kids got to get creative in their decorations. More on that below. 
When we arrived home waiting in our driveway was Annabelle’s basketball hoop. She couldn’t have been more excited! It was the perfect gift from my dad and Melissa. Unfortunately it had to be assembled so she had to wait for her dad to get home from work. (no way I was willing to tackle that thing!) Waiting is the hardest part…especially for a 9 year old, especially for a birthday gift that has just arrived, especially for a 9 year old birthday girl who has been begging for basketball hoop. 
I think she likes it:

Back to the Cake Boss Party…

We had a full house and the kids formed formed four teams. The cakes were already baked so they just had to focus on the decorations. The camp was 2 hours long and they used every minute to eat pizza, come up with ideas, and decorate these beauties. It’s so fun to see what the kids come up with…

There were a lot of beach themes, surfboards, and even a patriotic cake. 

My girls joined a team with new friends and I love what they came up with. It’s a beach, with a shark and surfer….well, the surfer didn’t fare too well. This little guy is missing an arm and leg from the shark attack. Gruesome, yes! Did they have us cracking up trying how to figure out to make a shark victim and blood on a cake? Yes! Not the most appetizing, but these kiddos had fun and it didn’t stop them from chowing down on that cake afterwards!

bowling and casa bonita

The girls spent the morning with Yaya while B and I worked. She took them on the Celestial Seasonings tour and they had tea and treats and each came home with their own tea pot. We’re big fans of tea around here so this was a very special treat. It also made me feel so appreciative of my mom and her help with the girls. We will really miss Yaya when she heads home tomorrow.
Tonight we went bowling. My mom loves being able to cross off things on our summer bucket list.
Annabelle is a fierce competitor and tries so hard to win. Gwyneth is a goof ball and seems to do everything really well without even trying. Bowling is a perfect example of this phenomenon. She wobbles up like a baby giraffes throws the ball like a crazy person and ends up with a spare. 
These pictures sum up my daughters so eloquently: 
Annabelle ended up beating her sister at bowling and Gwyneth could have cared less so all was right in the world. 
We made YaYa’s trip complete by heading to Casa Bonita. We put it on our bucket list every year, the girls love it,  and it makes me so very sick. 
Crossed off for the year. We can put the Tums away until next year. 
Missi was a newbie this year. It’s a Colorado must-do, but it’s a painful Colorado experience. 
We arrived home in time for a beautiful sunset. 
Gwyneth hopped out of the shower and  joined me outside with my camera. I don’t know. This girl. I have no words. I just think she’s fabulous. Goofy. And fabulous. 

fathers day

Oh my! Father’s Day was a hot one! 
This is the second year in a row that we were burning up. Last year we went to the baseball game and melted. This year I planned a trip to the Greek Festival because B loves Greek food and I had read that it was both inside and outside, so there would be some reprieve from the heat. Well, it was registering 104 degrees in my car when we arrived so again, this year we were melting! 
We checked out the art and statues and beautiful decor in the sanctuary. The church is truly stunning and since I was in high school I have wanted to see what was inside that mysterious gold dome. B and I drank cold beers while sharing a gyro and the girls shared Greek fries. Everyone had red cheeks and were quite sweaty. The heat wore us out and we were ready to move inside permanently.  We grabbed some tacos in Cherry Creek and then went home to cool off!
My moms visits every year for the dance recital which is the same weekend as Father’s Day. It has become her gift that she watches the girls in the evening so we can have a night out. We don’t do that very often and every time we do I swear we need to make it a priority. B and I grabbed dinner and drinks and just talked and talked. He is my absolute favorite person and I’m so lucky to have married him and created this gorgeous, whacky, precious family with him. I’m also extremely grateful to have a young, vibrant mom who hops on airplanes and flies all over the country to spend time with all her granddaughters. Feeling extremely grateful today…..extremely hot….and extremely grateful. 
Lookin’ a little pink in the cheeks
When you tossed a coin in the fountain the “statues” blew you a kiss. 
Annabelle was intrigued. Gwyneth; not so much. 
Happy Father’s Day to this guy! He sure set the bar awfully high.
tacos at Machetes in Cherry Creek

meeting kyla

Our dear friends welcome their brand new baby girl this week. We waited for them to get settled in at home and then swarmed. My mom offered to watch the girls so I could visit, but luckily Amy invited the girls along too. They couldn’t wait to meet Kyla and hold her. They have been bugging me daily to go back and see her. She’s a teeny, tiny sweet little gal!

recital

Tonight was the big night. Dance Recital! 
The girls were in the same classes this year, which meant the same costumes, same dances, and just one night of recital. It was a little hard to watch both of them in the same routine because they were usually on opposite sides of the stage, but it was fun to see how differently they performed the same dances.
Annabelle is very deliberate. She memorizes her steps, knows her formation, and is very serious….especially about tap. Tap is her favorite.  Gwyneth is just so silly. She is all legs and laughs at herself the entire time. She doesn’t seem to take herself or any of the show seriously. I love watching them both and it really looks they are both having fun. It’s just interesting how differently they approach the dances and the night. 
Annabelle and her friend, Makayla
Gwyneth, Paige, and Annabelle. These girls have been dancing together since they were three! 
The show was sold out this year, oh my how the dance studio has grown. The owner announced that the studio opened with 36 kids and our little ladies were part of that. We love the studio, owner, and staff and couldn’t be happier for their success. 
We were able to get a few extra tickets to sneak in the girls’ entourage. 

rehearsal

Today was a restful day — we call it the “sleepover hangover”. The girls had their dance recital rehearsal which was five hours so we wanted to have a low key morning.  
We had some make up issues…as in, Gwyneth didn’t want to wear it. She rubbed one eye clear of make up and Annabelle had some interesting streaks happening. Luckily it was only dress rehearsal. I should really have my friend Amy do their make up for these things anyway. I wear lip gloss and that is the extent of my beauty regimen. I’m ill equipped for this. 
Notice the one eye with lots of make up and none of the other???  
It reminds me of one of those before and after commercials. 
 Whatevs. She’s still cute. 

cupcake wars and american girls

We hosted a cupcake wars at the kitchen today. It was a camp, but we have done so many of these birthday parties I think I can run them in my sleep. 
This is still one of my favorite parties. I came up with it when we first opened the kitchen and we tweaked, adjusted, and baked until it was perfection. 
I love when my girls participate and I love when they are judges. I love watching when B runs the show and see how he changes things to better suit him. I love when the kids leave and I hear them telling their parents “that was the best party EVER!!”. I love when those same kiddos come back again and again for parties and camps. 
It’s an amazing feeling knowing I get to part of something really special. We send kids out the door with big smiles and lots of cupcakes. That’s not a bad day. 
My ladies with their red velvet and chocolate cupcake:
We hosted a double sleepover – American Girl Doll style. Annie and Kate spent the night and brought their dolls and had a blast. Annie and Gwyneth were asleep first. Kate and Annabelle were the last to sleep and the first awake. I love these gals and I appreciate how well they all play together. With my girls only being a year apart I love when their interests and friendships overlap. 

happy birthday: kate

We hurried down the mountain just in time for Kate’s birthday party. Both girls have such a great time with her and were so excited to celebrate with her. There were lots of kiddos zip lining and rock wall climbing. 
Happy birthday to Kate!
After the show, the girls quickly changed and then off to Beauty and the Beast. We have seen this show before in Chicago and let me tell ya, it was a lot better. This one was a bit boring. We had great seats and B even joined us so it still made for a fun family day!

keystone

We had absolutely nothing planned for our Saturday and decided as a family (through many votes and a blind ballot) how we should spend our day. We all finally agreed that we should head up to Keystone and ride the gondola. We had talked about the adventure park in Breck and a hike, but I didn’t pack great shoes which I think may have been my passive aggressive way of getting a lazy, relaxing weekend. 
We rode the gondola, took in the gorgeous view, played ladder ball, practiced walking the “tight rope”, played games and had lunch at the resort and then headed back to Breck. We spent the rest of our day playing shuffleboard, hot tubbing, watching the foxes and even on vacation B made us a delicious lasagna for dinner. I couldn’t have asked for a better day! 
Not quite sure where they think they are going?
Annabelle, the photographer snapped this one. 
My, how things have changed…