Brownie Campout!

Mia joined a Brownie troop and we had our first camp out this past weekend.  We were both excited to camp, because we love that kind of stuff, but the idea of going with other people that we don't know that well left us....curious.  We weren't nervous, because we're pretty good at having fun wherever we are, but we were wondering how it would all roll out.  

We loved it!  We arrived at the Plains Conservation and knew this would be an experience up both of our alleys.  We started in the tee-pees learning about how the Cheyenne lived.  

We learned all about Bison and how the Native Americans used every single part of the animal to survive.  

The girls made s'mores, sang songs, and had fun by the fire.  

We all slept in a yurt and this was my favorite memory of the trip.  As we moms fell asleep, the girls took turns reading from a book they all love, telling stories and jokes, and quietly singing.  

Breakfast and then more fun activities.  

The girls!

We learned a Cheyenne game in which you break into two teams.  Each team stands closely together and passes a small rock between their hands.  The other team who has to guess who has the rock after a certain amount of time has passed.  It's all about keeping a poker face.  

Archery! 

This night away was special.  I'm lucky to have my girl in my life.  She is smart, spunky, funny, kind, and a true adventurer.  

Soccer Saturday

No special guest stars at this week's game!  Luca and his buddies always play so hard and we love the Saturday tradition of being on the field watching them!  Despite the fact that it's nearing the end of September, it was almost 90 degrees!  Luca dumped a water bottle on his head to cool off.  

A good weekend...

Another soccer Saturday.  Another special guest star at the game!  Nana came to support the team.  Luca didn't want to be in the picture.  He must have been tired from all the running on the field.  

One of Luca's best friends is moving to Georgia this week.  We had a party to say farewell.  The boys will miss each other but life is full of wonderful encounters and goodbyes.  This is a tough one to learn, but we all do.  

Late Summer Days...

We've settled into September and we seem to have fallen into a rhythm.  The weekdays are busy and the weekends are usually reserved for hanging around.  Mia's bestie often stops by or she walks or bikes there to play.  Here, the three kids set up a spot to watch a movie on the ipad on a late Sunday afternoon.  I made dinner and watched them from the window and my heart swooned.  

Mia and her bestie have begun biking to school together.  I was leaving for work and stopped them so I could take a picture.  Mia didn't really understand why I wanted this shot, and I couldn't explain it to her.  I couldn't explain that my children are getting older and I just wanted this picture, to remember them so confident and happy as they set out on a new chapter.  They were biking in early to run because they are part of a running club.  Mia ran five miles before school over the course of one week!

V brought them to a Rockies Game.  HOT day but they were thrilled with their seats and their ice cream.  Love that Luca's got his glove.  

Yesterday was the first game of the season.  Fall soccer is so great.  No soggy fields.  No wet and dreary sidelines.  Just gorgeous Colorado sun and skies.  Luca was under the weather (which he didn't tell us) and came home only to collapse on the couch with a fever.  He played well though and earned the game's "MVP" medal.  As I rubbed his forehead at home I said, "Luca, you never have to play if you don't feel well."  He said, "Oh I know.  I just wanted to."  

I love my family!  As V and I set up shop on the sidelines, Aunt Emmy and Uncle Peter strolled up to watch too!  It was such a fun surprise and it was awesome chatting for an hour.  THANK YOU for supporting us and for being loyal Jedi Knight fans!!