April in Review: The YMCA.

In Colorado, April was the snowiest month of this past winter. Well... April is not really winter, technically. Seasonal debate aside, April is not normally the snowiest month here in Colorado. However, this past April almost every weekend brought a new storm and more snow. In the midst of this snowiness, what is a Coloradan to do but make a break for the mountains? Just what we did. Not just anyplace in the Rockies, but the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. This is one massive YMCA. Seriously, it is humongous...and gorgeous. It's a superb destination...beautiful setting coupled with multiple activities for kids and grown-ups alike. In a short two night trip, we managed to go sledding, play board games endlessly, go hiking, make crafts in the incredible craft room, go roller skating, enjoy the indoor pool, check out the game room and gym, and eat and sleep (at least a little). It was a fabulous weekend getaway. We went with dear friends who have kids all the same ages as ours. The kids got to bunk together and the grown-ups didn't have to be the entertainment all the time. An excellent combination.

The beautiful scene out our window after the snow storm that arrived just after we unpacked...



The sledding gets serious...







A little of the board game obsession...



Some good old fashioned roller skating...



A cute little ending to a great weekend...

April in Review: Slugger Turns 8!

My oldest is eight. I am still in awe even though this new age has had a few months to settle in at this point. He is reaching a new level of independence and "young man" status. I can tell him to go take a shower, and he will. I can tell him to get his own food out of the fridge, and he will. I can let him take the dog for a walk around our cul-de-sac, and he will. So many little moments and previews of the man to come. Striving for more independence and learning to handle progressively more responsibility, yet, still my little man with a kind heart and love for his parents, his sisters and his friends. Amazing.

This year Slugger opted for the non-"party" option and decided instead to invite three friends to come with him to his favorite entertainment place, Mr. Biggs. We ate pizza and cupcakes then hit the "Foam Factory" and shot balls out of cannons, threw balls at every one in our near vicinity, and generally ran around in an exhausting fashion. That coupled with laser tag, mini-golf, and lots of video games made for a full, loud, and very fabulous celebration. Slugger declared the "non-party" a hit. Mission accomplished.

A great example of the eight-year-old boy craziness...



A boy and his sister, who happily joined in the craziness....



The whole crew. Boys really can fashion some type of weapon out of most anything...

Slacking on the Bloggin'

I've been distracted by many things....letterboxing, facebooking, painting almost every room in our house, and generally being busy. Pretty much anything but blogging lately. After several strong hints or not so much hints but kindly reminders from Grandparents and even a couple friends, I am going to attempt to re-enter the blogging world. So, get ready for some catch-up!