April & May Winds of Change

Winds seem to be an ever present part of a normal day in Pueblo this year. Either I get out early to work in the yard, or wait until bedtime to go outside! I think I must have had a record number of Elm seeds pile up in the flower beds and by my back door. I have no Elm tree, but my neighbor does, and it was prolific this year. Winds have been so strong, the small Sumac tree next door toppled over. Needless to say, I have had lots of bad hair days. June seems to be a little better, but now the smoke is blowing in from the fires, but the sunsets are beautiful.

Ben & Brenda took a much needed vacation, and I was the sitter in charge. Ben had been working long hours for months setting up a new server, so Brenda was on her own from dawn to dusk with the kiddos. They decided that a trip to San Diego was in order. The first of April I went to Bailey to stay with the kids for 5 days while they enjoyed the ocean and quiet. Cavan has grown so much and is becoming quite a character. He loves to dance when Amelia plays music in his room. The kid really has some great dance moves-he could be on YouTube. We played with lots of toys and had fun outdoors one day in the sand box-he spent the whole time dumping sand into containers and pouring it out. Such easy entertainment. He is not a bit afraid of heights, slides or climbing on obstacles in the yard. Amelia was a "Nana" fan as usual. We read hundreds of books, and this time she was quite the artist, too. She painted me a bunch of pictures with full descriptions and orders to hang them on my refrigerator when I got home. I did hang some, but the volume was a little too much (I ran out of magnets). She may be as artistic as her Dad! She went to preschool two days, and a friend dropped her off from the bus. It was pretty funny when I walked to the road to get her, because she sleeps on the way home-the bus ride is very short, but they have to wake her up to come home. Carrying a tired girl up the driveway was quite a chore-good thing I am still working out at Curves! Ben and Brenda had a great trip and I love having time with the kids. Although the wind blew every night and day at gale force, I had a great time. Shep came up one day to visit and help out with the kids. Cavan loves his Papa, like most of the boys do. When I visit alone, the boys in particular always ask where Papa is.

Mother's day was especially fun, because Ben, Brenda, Amelia and Cavan came to stay in Pueblo, and we got the families together for a picnic at the Fountain Nature Center on Sunday. There is a really beautiful trail that is easy for the kids, so we hiked (walked slowly) and found a shaded area to throw rocks into the stream. We had 6 adults and 5 children and still it was a fete just watching that nobody fell into the water. Cavan could not stay away from the edge, and Wyatt was just as interested. It was pretty funny how we posted one adult downstream and two adults ready to grab the shirts if they toppled over. We had a great time, but at one point I think we all were ready to call it quits. Owen and Amelia are quite the pair. The kids enjoy each other so much-who needs any other entertainment?

The weekend was the first warm one we have had this year. We played in the back yard with the kids and Ella (their dog). Amelia and Cavan shared a bedroom and it worked out well. As these families grow, it gets to be logistical gymnastics to fit in naps and sleeping at night. We had such fun catching up with Ben and Brenda in the evening with a glass of wine and the inevitable game of Shanghai. Ben is training for the Baily Hundo which is the 100 mile mountain bike race on June 18th. We went up last year to watch him at the half way point, for a couple of minutes, then on his way for the rest of the race. It is really crazy to think of the elevation gains for the race. I don't know if we will be there this year, because the following weekend is Cavan's 2nd birthday. Brenda does triathlons a few times a year, so between the two, they get a lot of time running/biking. Amelia calls Cavan little buddy - so cute. She is quite the mommy to him and yet the sibling rivalry is still there. She has learned to talk him into "sharing" with her - pretty funny. She loved the tricycle I got at a yard sale. She figured out how to use it in a couple of minutes. Cavan is talking quite a bit and still has his "what are you thinking" frown. I hope the kids post some pictures - if looks could kill! On the flip side, his big blue eyes just melt your heart, and he is so lovable - gives great big bear hugs. Between the two, I got a lot of hugs and attention.

In mid May, I went to Los Alamos to see Becky, Devin, Logan and Laila. Becky and I got to spend a Mothers' day out - wow! We squeezed in an impromptu pedicure, which is reminiscent of the days when there were no children and we had real time on our hands. We also visited several places in Santa Fe - a Thai restaurant, the Flea Market (wow!) and an artisan fair. It was a superb day, to say the least. Becky & Devin ran a half marathon, and I brought the kids to the event to watch mom and dad. I arrived a minute too late to see Devin come in, but we did see Becky cross the finish line. They both met their goals on a really steep vertical run-hooray for them. Logan had a ballet recital that evening and Devin recorded it, so hopefully they will post it on their blog. Although Logan decided he "didn't like ballet any more" he did a great job and the event was quite fun to watch. Laila and I had a great time reading, and it was so much fun to watch her read books to her dolls and animals. She is such a cutie! What a dramatic personality, like her cousin Amelia. The difference between girls and boys is truly "dramatic". The two kids will be in daycare this summer as Becky works 2.5 days a week. They are thriving in the environment, and have some great friends to share it with. I bought the kids a cardboard lemonade stand from World Market. I assembled it before I returned home. It seems that the kids and some neighbors sell rocks (from the yard) on the street. Logan started at $5, but reduced the cost to 5 cents. They leave the rocks and money on the wall by the street. They have painted the stand now, and are ready for business. The idea that you could let the kids have that kind of freedom is amazing - Los Alamos is such a small, friendly and safe environment for raising a family. Becky has had some great training provide by the environmental firm she works for. I never expected my daughter to be in "nuclear waste management" - she loves her job. Devin is coming up on his second year at the lab, and will find out this fall if funding will be available for another year. They would like to stay in Los Alamos, but who knows. He is in a very international lab setting and has even switched to special espresso coffee that they all use.

Josh and Bree have been really busy with the end of the school year. There are lots of BBQs and going away parties. The kids have had fun going to most of the events. Owen finished preschool and got a piece of artwork in the show. He begins swim lessons soon, so I get to stay with Wyatt and Molly sometimes. Josh has had a great school year, but it is time for a break. He only has one more week. Bree will take Molly to OK to see her sister Lauren in a couple of weeks. We will probably visit Josh for a little reinforcement - like I mind! Bree has had a rough couple of episodes with Molly's ear infections and she also had RSV, but came through like a trooper and was on oxygen at home instead of hospitalization. Things are better now for little Molly. She loves to be in the midst of the action! She has grown so quickly in these 5 months and has such a sunny personality. Her little headbands are the best - especially since she is losing all that pretty hair. Wyatt is just as funny as ever and very outgoing. His belly laugh is especially funny when Shep does "the claw". If I go down alone, he is always disappointed that Papa is not coming. His light saber wars are hilarious-especially with the special moves Owen has taught him. The Star Wars music he hums is right on. Owen is doing well with the diabetes. Josh and Bree have it under control and may even consider a pump pretty soon. We watched a soccer game this spring and he loved to run up and down the field, never caring if he got to kick the ball-which he did a few times. His Star Wars obsession is pretty amazing-he knows all of the characters, including ones I have never heard of. He has a stamp book and can recite the names and explain who they are. (I definitely need to brush up on Star Wars history). I always look forward to babysitting and spending time with them. Bree stays busy with playgroups, library visits and getting together with other moms & kids. Molly has become a real "goer", as third children often do.

Bike riding has been put on hold for Shep and I. We either aren't free, the wind is blowing, it is too cold, or too late. We aren't at all particular, though. Soon we will be back on tract for a couple of rides a week, at least. The nature center, which is a destination, has changed their restaurant, and I guess the food is great, so that is always a reason to ride - coffee & food.

After I returned from Los Alamos, Shep's sister Nancy came to visit from Chicago. We gladly played the part of tourist in the area. We went to the Royal Gorge - great trip and she was really impressed. We spent the whole day there and drove back roads to see some interesting things like Super Max prison in Florence, and the Abbey in Canon City. We had a lot of fun and ate some great food, too. We traveled to Bishop's Castle and met the owner. He is a living testimonial to what one man can achieve. He has built an incredible stone and iron structure - you should check it out online. We had fun climbing around and visiting with him. He was not on his anti establishment soap box, so we didn't get to hear the ranting and raving, which can be very entertaining. The next day we went to see Josh, Bree and kids, then on to Woodland Park to meet Ben, Brenda and kids. We played in the park and slid down slides. Cavan had no fear of the tube slides, and the expression on his face was pretty funny when he got to the end. He was fully capable of playing on the children's equipment as opposed to the toddler level. They are going to have fun with him. Amelia and I had fun swinging and picking dandelions. Nancy really enjoyed seeing the children in person! She left on Sunday after a great visit. We had fun!

Shep and I often entertain ourselves in unconventional ways. We have found a tutoring website called Khan Academy. We go online and learn algebra and other math functions. There is a lot of other stuff on there as well. I love beating Shep at the Algebra problems. How strange is that! It is cheap entertainment. We have really enjoyed our wine drinking neighbors Ken & Carol. We get together every few weeks and imbibe (usually too much). We will join them in Westcliffe for a Blue Grass Festival in July. They are fun and entertaining. We are working with them on an abandoned housing issue in the neighborhood. We will be going to sit for Josh while he takes Owen to his first swim lesson on the 20th - should be fun. Also on the 24th there is a firefly hike at the nature center, so we are signed up. I had no idea there were fireflies here. Shep has been working pretty hard this week. The last few months, they have even paid him for days he did not work, just to keep him available - not bad for a retiree! Occasionally we eat out at Village Inn, and one day after they had remodeled the store and sign, Shep asked why the "6" meaning the VI symbol on the sign. I had a good chuckle. Guess getting older makes our minds work in different ways.

Work has been awesome. I have a scheduled 20 hour week with flexible days and hours. We purchased a new database, and I swore I never wanted to do that kind of work, but I am finding it quite challenging and fun. As much as I like puzzles, it fits me well. I help with events and mass mailings, so there is a lot of variety. The people are especially nice to work with. I couldn't be more satisfied - and having a job in this economy is a huge plus! I look forward to 4 day weekends and a 3 day work week. I get together with the CSU Pueblo girls every month and we have a lot of fun catching up.

Cindy and I are hoping to make a trip to GJ this summer, but I am not sure when. We thought June would be good, but it suddenly got filled up, and here it is upon me.

I hope you are all doing well. I miss my buddies in GJ!