A mother is only as happy...

As her most unhappy child.

Sadie is hurting. My beautiful, imaginative, happy girl, is sad. Three days this week she has called me from school with a problem that requires me to come see her, but all she will tell me is that she had a bad day. I know that some of the hurt involves kids saying mean things, because she has been using negative terms regarding her appearance. I also get the feeling it is someone she actually likes or cares what they think because she is taking it personally. And I can't imagine someone who matters to her saying unkind things.
But then Sadie internalizes a lot of things. She is empathetic and sensitive. I think that may be why she has a difficult time sleeping and is plagued by bad dreams. I always feel like if we were viewed by our hearts and love, instead of our appearances this would be an entirely different world. However, Sadie is beautiful inside and out. I wish that at a time when little people are trying to establish where they fit in the world and may feel a need to displace others in the process, my daughter could know without a doubt how wonderful she is and already see how much she lights up the world around her.

School Bags

I know, we're a week into school already here, but I just finished the girls new school bags. In my defense, I thought they could use their backpacks from last year, but they had holes in the bottom that went undiscovered until day two.

So we went to the fabric stash and Sadie and Ella designed their own bags. I was quite surprised at the fabrics they chose for their main fabric but then I helped them chose some accent fabrics.
They were excited to have their new bags. And yes, Sadie dressed herself and Ella cut her eye, so they do look like two pirates.

The floral fabric and the blue and red polka dot are Bubblegum Basics from Quilt Soup. The animal fabric is a Japanese import. The solid fabrics are from Ikea. The pattern is a modified version of this.

Back to School

When did this happen?

When did they get so big?
When did I become old enough to have a second and third grader?

Shoshone Falls

We ventured north to see Evan's sister and her family. And made a quick stop at Shoshone Falls on the way. Up until we were right above the canyon Evan wasn't sure it would be very impressive, But then the seen change from flat grasses to staring down a deep canyon before you even know it exists. We drove down through the canyon to find the falls, it was beautiful.

The kids were grateful to get out and stretch their legs, and impressed by the view.
One of my favorite things about family vacation is that Sadie and Ella get along so well.
I would love to go back and do some hiking around the canyon. It is amazing to see this massive canyon that has been carved by the Snake River. Definitely worth the stop.

Generation Gap

We were eating corn-on-the-cob for dinner the other night, when it was noted that Jack eats at random.

He is all over the place, looking for the best spot, then taking a bite; no rhyme, no reason. We looked at the girls corn cobs and it was the same story. I said it must be a kid thing. Evan said that its because they haven't ever seen the cartoons where they eat corn-on-the-cob. I said, "Oh, like a typewriter. Pink, pink, pink, pink, ding."
"Huh," said two little voices. Evan said, "Somer, they don't know about typewriters." To which Sadie replied, "Yes I do. You put the paper in and it has these buttons and you push them and it goes tink, tink, tink, and then ding when it reaches the end of the page." I think the only way she knows this much is from Click, Clack, Moo or maybe Pink Panther cartoons.

In the beginning

When I was little I loved to visit the school where my parents went to college. We would shop in the bookstore and eat in the cafeteria. I loved walking around campus and seeing all the students. My dad would always say, "Here is where it all began."

Since we are a short drive from Evan's alma mater (undergraduate) we took the day and went to visit. On the way there Sadie asked if we would meet any real students and we assured her that we would see some if not meet them. We went to the bookstore and got t-shirts.

We got ice cream in the cafeteria and sat in the shade to people watch and eat ice cream.
I think Ella felt a bit sophisticated to be at college.
We went to the science building to see the hands-on exhibits.
And then strolled around campus.
It was fun to be there, even though I didn't go to school there. (Maybe some day we'll make it up north.) Sometimes I miss the energy of those days, but I don't miss the insecurity.
Evan was going to school here when we met. So I guys you could say this is where it all began.

A Circus/Carnival

Between trips and work, we had delayed Ella's birthday party until almost a month after her birthday. Who knew we would have to worry about the weather in August. Unfortunately it started to rain just as we were setting up.

We moved the photo booth inside...
and I loved the pictures we got.
Ella was a lovely tightrope walker.
Even Evan got in on the action.
We had some games inside
and some games had to stay outside.
There was face painting (we decided they had to stop eating their popcorn when they got their face painted, whoops)
And a pinata.
So in spite of the off and on rain it turned out great. Happy birthday princess.

Daddy's Boo Boo

Evan went in for arthroscopic surgery on Thursday and it turned out there was a ridge of cartilage that needed to be removed. Something he painfully discovered in training for this and this.

Unfortunately, this is how you convalesce at our house. Every time he sits down to ice it he gets mauled.
Hopefully work is more relaxing than home. At least he is close to physical therapy.

Getting Ready for School

We held our annual new school clothes fashion show.

I think the highlight was Jack modeling his back-to-school ensemble.
I promise, he owns pants.

The North Pole

Up in the mountains, above Manitou Springs, is a little amusement park called the North Pole. My kids can ride pretty much every ride, if not by themselves, then with an adult, so, kid heaven.

While we geared ourselves for the inevitable spinning, we decided to take the train around the park.

Aunt Jocelyn and Autumn happily waiting.
The girls on the train.
Maisy on the train.
Sadie need to ride a reindeer on the carousel, we were in the North Pole after all.
This is the highest ferris wheel in the US, not the tallest, but because of the altitude, the highest.

The little lady bugs wiped out most of the adults. Something about sitting backwards and going in circles agrees better with kids than parents.

Jack and Grandpa Christensen drove the car.
I thought this ride would do me in.
Turned out it was this one that did the trick.
I think Evan might have had a little more fun than he wanted us to believe.
Besides Santa (whom we missed seeing this year) this frozen pole gives the park its name.

Garden of the Gods

Evan and I have been visiting Garden of the Gods since we met. In previous years we have climbed, but with four little ones, climbing gear doesn't seem to fit in the car. However, Garden of the Gods is a place where you can enjoy beauty even with a stroller or wheelchair in tow.

Ella looking mighty glamorous for a day hike.

Maisy giving kisses.
Amidst climbing on rocks something caught their attention...
looks like someone is setting a bad example.
And so Jack had to give it a try, luckily he can't get as far.
After climbing and exploring, we headed back to the cars,
with tired kids,
ready to sleep all the way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.