Thursday, August 23, 2012

Kid Speak

We like stickers at our house. When Jacob is working on establishing a good habit, we use a sticker chart for positive reinforcement. He fills in a row, he gets to pick something from the prize box. I like to mark the days I have worked out with a sticker in my planner. It's a "job well done" reminder when I look at my schedule. This afternoon Jacob saw my open planner, and said to me, "Mom, when you fill up your sticker chart, you get to be skinny." (Yes, we've had that conversation before.)
Mom: "You're right, son."
Jacob: "That's not a good thing!"
Mom: "Why not?"
Jacob: "I don't like it because it's not a toy."
Ha Ha Ha! I guess toys are the only worthy prize when you're four!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Landscaping Work

We inherited a major mess of a yard when we bought this house two years ago. We'd done a lot of work ourselves to try and remedy the situation, but it just wasn't enough. With two very small children, it was difficult to get much done outside. So we bit the bullet this summer and hired a landscaping company to overhaul the front and back yards. After a little over a week of work on their part, we are very pleased with the look and the change that it has brought to our home.

This position was a common one at our house about a week ago...there was always something interesting going on in either the front or back yard. And big toys outside are MUCH more interesting than the ones inside the house!

There was a mini loader here all week long.

We had our own personal cement mixer (at least for an hour or so).

More dirt was accessible than Makenna had ever laid her hands on...and she put it to good use every chance she got!


Oh blessed dirt, how we love you!!
And the project is coming together.
A stamped cement walkway from the front door to the side gate.
Looking from the gate towards the street.
Comemoration of the project.
 Part of the backyard. 

  
 The walkway leading up to the front door (something we liked that is typical on the East Coast).











And there you have it! We love it...
except for the mole hole I found this morning (insert emphatic, "NOOOOOOO!!!!")
I have to say it, he's gonna die, sooner rather than later.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Summertime Fun

 I'm a big kid now! No, she can't ride it by herself, but she'll let me push her all the way around the block!
 Tree climbing little monkey!

 Kiddos playing around at the park


 Jake likes to be the crusher of all things garbage (when its yard waste, anyway)

I took the kids hiking with some friends. It's been nice to get out into nature and do some exploration of Colorado Springs


Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Color Run

I like a little exercise motivation, something to push me a little harder. This summer that motivation was a 5K race by the name of The Color Run. Start out the race with a sparkling clean white shirt, end the race with a tie dye colored shirt...and face, and hair, and shoes, etc. Basically, at each kilometer there was a color station, where the runners were doused with a powdery colored substance. Finish the five kilometers, you were covered in it!

Posing for a picture before the race with some friends.
 
  Waiting in line...the runners crossed the starting line in heats, as there were more than 1500 participants.
 
 After the race, nicely colored (some of us more than others!)
 

 
 We went out to breakfast after the race...lots of stares! LOL :)
It was a fun morning.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Who would have known there is a little bit of ancient history practically in our backyard? Manitou Springs, just southwest of Colorado Springs, houses ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings. Some friends had gone previously with their kids and said that it was perfect for little ones, so we decided to head out and see it for ourselves. It was a fun family outing.

 Jake and Mom hanging out in the window of a one-room house.

Getting ready to climb up to a two room, two family structure. I was amazed at how small the homes were...then again, it took a lot more effort to build and it probably served its function of shelter quite well.




 Happy kid!!

 Brian had to get down on hands and knees to get in and out of this teepee. Makenna doesn't look too sure of the situation. lol

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Splash Park

We played with some friends at a local splash park earlier this week. This was Makenna's first experience with some serious sprinkler fun; Jake hadn't been to one in a couple of years. It was interesting watching the different personalities shine through as we set out to play in the water. Makenna dove right in, thinking to herself, I'm sure, "I'm going to get wet! This is great! Bring on the fun!" Whereas Jacob sat back, watching his sister, not sure if he wanted to walk through the sprinklers or not. It took some warmup time and a little encouragement for him to whole heartedly join in the fun. All in all, a good time was had by all. The perfect activity for a hot summer day.