Another day....

Another great day downtown.  Having wonky work schedules makes family time kind of tricky.  V and I have been good about prioritizing each other, and our family, and we're on a good run of some fun filled days spent lallygagging about as a foursome.  We hit the Museum of Contemporary Art and this "Bubble Garden", designed by an artist to engage the city's youngest art enthusiasts was a hit. 

This girl is 6 going on 16.  Any advice??

And this kid?  Almost 4 going on much older too.  How can this be that these two tiny babies are getting so much older??

Such a gorgeous almost exhibit at the museum.  It's called "Yarniverse".  It is colorful pieces knit from yarn pinned on a black background.  We broke into the exhibit, innocently enough, and discovered that it is still in progress.  Piles of yarn, scissors, pins, etc., were scattered about large tables, almost as if there had been a raid and the artists had to flee suddenly.  There was a "CLOSED" sign near the entryway but we pushed passed, in a curious so therefore innocent way, and we all spun around in the colorful warmth of it all. 

When I peeked out the window, I saw this and loved it.  I love being in the city. 

This pictures screams spring to me.  Freckles.  A dandelion necklace.  And a scoop of her favorite ice cream ("with sprinkles please").

There is a great park we love to hit when we're in this neighborhood downtown and Mia is a rockstar on the monkey bars.  She told me the other night as we were almost asleep on the couch watching a movie...."Mom, I think I'm a half fancy girl, half nature girl."  I asked her to clarify and she said, "You know Mom...kind of like you.  I like cute shoes but I also can do a lot of stuff outside."  I was wildly complimented.  And, I've got some crazy skills on the monkey bars too if I do say so myself.

Here I am to prove it.  See that boy?  That darling boy?  He was playing with my kids and then watched me work my magic.  When he found out I was a teacher he screamed to his playground chums, "You guys!!!!!  She's a TEACHER!"  I said, "What?  Can't your teacher work the bars?"  He said, "No, she's old.  She's 28."  I told him to report back that over the weekend he met a 36 year old who could work this metal like child's play. 

They kicked their shoes off and played and V and I sat on a bench and talked for so long that it felt like a date.   



All the little things....

We often forget the things we love about those closest to us.  We know we like them.  We know we love them.  We tell them often how much we adore them.  But we forget the small details of their mannerisms that make us smile.  Spending time together is the best way to remind ourselves of these little subtleties. 

We spent the day as a tribe downtown, again.  We hit the aquarium, lunch, our favorite ice cream haunt, the park....It was so lovely to just be reminded why we all step to the same beat most of the time. 

I love the way these two stand often, with their hands behind their backs.  I tried getting a photo of both of them but just as I grabbed my camera, Mia began to point.  The aquarium was really quite fascinating, so worthy of this academic stance. 

Luca kept asking for the sharks.  I reminded him every three to four minutes that the exhibit was at the end of the tour.  We rounded the corner and there was an 18 foot wall to ceiling tank with several giant beauties staring Luca down.  Look who he grabbed as he smiled in delight.  Mia hugged him tight and reminded him that sharks were indeed nice. 

Mia caught this photo.  V and I are partners, co-parents, co-cleaners.  We dole out responsibilities and grocery lists.  We maneuver drop off times and pick ups.  We navigate very tricky work schedules and try to do so gracefully, even though some weeks we fail miserably.  Bottom line though?  We are friends.  The very best kind.  We think one another is hilarious, and that keeps us afloat.  This life business is so very hard, and we are both acutely aware that we are doing the best we can.  A day together reminded us both of the two kids we were when we first met and fell head over heels in love.   

The day ended with V and Mia heading off to the Rapids game because of some unexpected tickets with friends which left Luca Lane and myself to our own devices.  He happily went bikini shopping with me.  Clearly my idea but the kid was a champ.  We went to dinner afterward and he was the most delightful date.  Almost as delightful as his daddy.  We used our crayons to decorate our paper table cloth.  And no that isn't a dildo by Luca's name; it is the rocket ship he requested. 

Double Trouble

Whatever Mia can do, you better believe Luca can do too.  He'll stay up all night to make sure this is the case.  The kid mastered the monkey bars awhile ago and now they seem to have some kind of rivalry.  I happened to catch this at the park and I thought it was hilarious. 

Lighten Up

This day pretty much was perfect.  It's Mia's spring break and we're here in town enjoying a "staycation". I had a ditch day from work and took the tiny people downtown to hit the city the way I like to....with a loose agenda, a teeny bit of cash, and the ever awesome Colorado sun ablaze above us.  We started at the Children's Museum and stayed for entirely too long for my nervous system to handle it.  I then declared lunch and picnic time.  And by "declared", I think I shouted, "OMG...get me out of here before I collapse into the fetal position."  Luca then sweetly said, "Mom, I think you're hungry."  

We were all loose.  Free.  Easy.  Luca ate Strawberry ice cream and Mia had Salted Oreo.  I sampled both. 

I was focused solely on these two munchkins and it proved so worth it - to unplug, tune out, and hang out. They really are funny, charming, warm, and super interesting.  That is of course when they aren't demanding, unruly, arrogant and fighting.   

No tool around town day is really complete without a visit to our favorite ice cream haunt.  I mean really, ice cream is kind of a food group in and of itself I think.  Luca began to throw his cone out when he was done eating and Mia noticed there was still a dollop of fresh strawberry cream atop the cone he planned to toss.  She screamed over, "I mean please Luca....there are people in the world starving.  Give it to me.  I'll take care of that."  Atta girl. 

A bit of "spider" on the swings at the park.  We then tooled around the Highlands peeking around corners and running up city blocks. 

I'm exhausted and ready for bed.  But entirely too content.  Maybe someone will puke or pee in bed to take me right back to Earth. 

Easter with the Family!

The hunt.

Bubba.  Oh sweet Bubba.

These three wanted their pictures taken together and had fun modeling. 

The cousins - minus two.