Thursday's Almost Here

I am so looking forward to Thursday and taking the family to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged.  It's been a highly emotional few days, so this down time of fun with the family is much needed!  My kids are so excited and just can't wait to be able to go.  It's been a while since we last attended and I really am looking forward to it.  I'll let you know how the performance is! 

National Anthem

My son's choir singing the National Anthem at the Colorado Rapids soccer game.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my oldest daughter's birthday.  Nine years ago today I was just a few hours away from giving birth to my second child and my first daughter. 

We were sure we were going to have another boy.  There are multiple boys on both sides of our family before any girls.  So we figured that we would follow suit.  So when we had our ultrasound I was shocked to hear the tech say "It's a girl!".  My response - "Are you sure?".  Not that I didn't want any daughters, I just was so sure she would be a boy!  On the way home my son, who was just over 2 years old, asked if we could get a second opinion.  He wanted a brother so bad.  After we brought home our sweet baby girl her big brother took to her right away.  She has been such a joy in our lives. 

She is such a sweet, kind, loving child.  She has gone through a lot in her short life.  She rarely complains and works hard.  I am so grateful to have such a beautiful young lady as part of our family.  She makes every day better.  I am blessed to be her mother. 

I love you sweet girl!

One More Week

Have to say that I am really looking forward to next week and being able to take my kids to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged.  My kids can't wait! 

Did you know that you can get up close with some of the animal performers at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Animal Open Open?  This event begins 90 minutes before show time and is FREE to all ticket holders!  So come early and see how the animals live and play.

Did you also know that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has a Center for Elephant Conservation?  The center is not a tourist attraction or used for entertainment.  It is a conservation, research, and retirement facility.  A portion of every show ticket sold goes towards supporting this center.

Here is a little something fun for the kids!

Scouting Mom

I am a total Scouting Mom.  Have to say I love it!  My oldest just started Boy Scouts and my younger son will be starting Cub Scouts next year.  My older son set a high bar for his younger brother.  He earned every single Cub Scout belt loop possible.  It took a LOT of work, but he did it.  Tonight he got his first rank advancement for Boy Scouts.  He's working towards his Eagle and I'm sure he'll get it.  I can't wait until my younger son starts working towards his scouting ranks also.  Keep working boys!  You are learning great skills and I am proud of all your hard work. 

My boy and his belt loops.

At least the back of them.

They go all the way around!

I'm So Excited!

And I just can't hide it.  I know, I know, I know.....  are you singing yet?  It's stuck in my head!  I really am so excited.  My oldest child's choir has been given the honor to sing the National Anthem at the Colorado Rapids MLS game this week!  How cool is that?!?!  Even cooler?  I get to be one of the adults on the field with them.  Being the unofficial "official" school photographer has its perks sometimes.  I'll be able to take lots of pictures of the kids as they warm up, as they watch the teams pre-game warm up, as they sing our nation's anthem.  I'm just bursting with excitement for these kids.  It's one of those "once in a lifetime" opportunities.  I'm grateful I get to be a part of it.

Cuddle Bugs

Two little cuddle bugs snuggling with their parents. 
One got up and ran away, leaving daddy all alone.
One little cuddle bug, snuggling with his mommy.
Daddy felt sad and all alone.
One little cuddle bug hugged his daddy too.

Today after church a couple of my kids decided to snuggle with my husband and I as we were laying down chatting.  We were having a good time laughing and singing.  The above is a poem that my 7 year old made up after his sister got up and left. 

I love my kids!  I love Sunday snuggles.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ticket Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered my contest for the 4 tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged!  I am sorry for the issues some of you had posting your comments.

And the winner is........

#19 - Staci! Congratulations on winning the tickets! Please contact me within the next 48 hours to claim your prize.

For those of you who didn't win - opening night tickets are $10 each (except for the first few rows) and kids tickets are $10 on any night!

School Fundraisers

The bane of many parents existance would be school fundraisers.  The kids come home all amped up and excited about the prizes they can win.  The parents cringe at having to help their kids sell, or worse buying it all themselves, whatever is in the catalog.  Then there are the parents who just toss it in the trash. 

I'll be honest, funraising catalogs aren't my favorite thing in the world.  However, I understand and know why they do it.  Our fundraiser will bring approximately $50,000 in for our school.  That is a LOT of money!  Our PTO funds a lot of stuff at my childrens school.  Stuff that I want kept at the school.  Things like keeping a complete specials rotation of p.e., music, art, technology AND science (when many schools are cutting these).  Things like EA's (Educational Assistants), grants to the teachers, teacher training, most of the technology in the classrooms.  Those are things that help MY kids have a better education.  So when that pesky fundraising catalog comes home, like it did today, I might cringe a little; at the end of the day though it's about helping provide the best education possible for my kids.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ticket Giveaway!!!

Who wants to go see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged for free?  That's right, free!  I have a four pack of tickets that I am giving away.

To be entered into this contest you need to answer the following question as a comment to this post. 

• If you cannot get it to post, please email me and I will post a comment for you.  We've had a couple people who couldn't get it to post.

Question - What is the one-wheeled bicycle used by some circus performers called?

A - Tricycle  B - Unicycle  C - Icicle

Contest Rules:

1. You must be 18 years or older to enter.
2. You must be a resident of the Denver Metro area or able to be in the Denver Metro area on the night of Thursday, September 29, 2011.
3. Contest will run from September 13, 2011 at 11:00am - September 14, 2011 at 6:00pm.
4. Contest winner will be chosen using Random.org based off of your comment number.
5. Winner will be announced on my blog September 14, 2011 after 7:00pm.
6. Winner must contact me within 48 hours or they will forfeit the prize.
7. Alternate winner will be selected through Random.org if the winner is unable to attend or fails to claim prize.
8. Prize tickets will be available for pick up at the Will Call window on the night of the show.

Prize Package Includes:  Family Four Pack of Tickets to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged at the Denver Coliseum on September 29, 2011 at 7pm.

Feld Entertainment is neither a sponsor nor endorser of this promotion.  Feld Entertainment will be providing the prize, however the contest is my own. 

I'm Bringing Home My Baby Bumblebee.....Ouch He Stung Me!

I'm bringing home my baby bumblebee.  Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home my baby bumblebee.  Ouch he stung me!

Did anyone else sing that song as a kid? I wasn't trying to bring the bee home with me, but I did get stung!  It was for a good cause, protecting my son's root beer.  Which he didn't even finish.....  Should have just let the bee climb in it!  While watching my son play soccer a bee was trying to get in his root beer.  I covered it with my hand to keep it out, as who wants to drink their soda only to find a bee in it.  The bee climbed all over the cup and my hand for about 10 minutes.  Then it stung me.  On the ring finger of my right hand.  Can you say ouchie?

Crazy thing was I had an allergic reaction to it!  I've been stung by bees more times than I can remember.  I rarely wore shoes outside growing up, so stepped on many a bee.  Maybe this was a revenge stinging?  Hmmm......  My finger swelled up, turned bright red, pain shot down my arm, and my whole arm got stiff.  Once the nausea hit my sweet husband made me take some benadryl and lie down.  It's two days later and I'm beginning to recover.  No nausea today (YAY!), I can mostly move my hand normally (though it still hurts), and my arm isn't as stiff.  Hoping it was just a freak thing and if I ever get stung again it will just hurt, but not react. 

Funny how after all these years I would have that kind of reaction.  Maybe the bee was just really potent.  Maybe after all those pregnancies my body chemistry changed just enough.  Maybe I would have always reacted that way to a sting in my hand vs my foot.  Either way I'm glad to be on the mend. 

Moral of this story.....let the bee have the soda and be happy about it. 

He's Home!

After much waiting and much anticipation my boy is home from Outdoor Ed!  It took about an hour longer than thought to get him home as the buses got lost.  How might you ask did buses get lost?  Aren't the bus drivers professional drivers?  I'm not sure how exactly it happened actually.  They missed a turn and ended up in a town about a half hour away.  They eventually got home though, so no harm no foul.  My boy was exhausted, but had a fabulous time!  It did rain for two of the days.  Glad we packed his poncho!  The rain didn't slow them down.  They still did everything planned.  I'm so glad he had the opportunity to have this experience.  I'm very glad to have him home though!

The Circus is Coming!

I have great memories from my childhood of going to the circus with my family.  I grew up in a small farming community.  We had a small circus come through town every year or two, I don't remember how often.  I do remember watching them set up the tent, seeing their animals, and watching the show.  It was something that was looked forward to.  The clowns, the elephants, the high wire and trapeze artists, the cotton candy.  Memories like these are ones that I want to share with my children.

I am a Feld Family Activator, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private pre-Show events. 

Feld Entertainment brings us Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and they are coming!  This year we get the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged show.  It looks fabulous.  The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged is coming to the Denver Coliseum from September 29th - October 9th.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.  Kids tickets are only $10 (restrictions apply, see below flyer) and all tickets are $10 on opening night (again, restrictions do apply)!  I hope to see some of you there.  Stay tuned for next week as I'll be giving away tickets!

Have Fun, Be Good, Come Back Safe

My oldest kiddo left for Outdoor Ed this morning.  For those of you who might not know Outdoor Ed is a 4 day adventure to the mountains that the 6th graders here go on.  They sleep in cabins, learn about orienteering, they learn about geology and nature, go on hikes, on a zip line, and much, much more.  It is something they look forward to with anticipation for years.  The time has finally come for him to go.  I did good; I mostly didn't cry!  We packed his bags last night (I hope he can get everything back in at the end of the week....), he made his lunch this morning, dropped off his bags at the school bright and early, went to breakfast, then time for drop off.  We dropped him off and took a few pictures before I took the younger kids to their school building.  I headed back to the big kids building (it's one school, two buildings).  I was able to get back in time to help load the buses up and see the kids off.  Watching them all sticking their heads out the windows while they waved goodbye was lots of fun!  How I am going to miss him though!  It's his first time away from home by himself.  I know he'll do fine.  He's a fabulous kid.  He is more than prepared for this new adventure, more so than his mom is.  He's got his camera, a large memory card and extra batteries.  I can't wait to see the pictures he takes!  Come home safe, but have a fabulous time!



One last wave goodbye!

Velveteen Rabbit

I love The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.  It has always been one of my favorite children's story.  It was one of the first books I bought when I found out I was having a baby. 

I have a bunny rabbit who I swear will be real one day.  I received him as a gift from my Aunt when I was around 3 years old.  That rabbit has been through a lot with me.  He's been dragged every where that I went.  When I was sick he went to bed with me.  When I'd visit my dad as a teenager he went with me.  There was one summer where my friends took to calling my "Bunny" as I had my rabbit with me, even though I was 16.  My kids love my bunny now too.  They play with him, they sleep with him, they love him like I do.  Even to this day when I am sick and curled up in bed I will snuggle with my rabbit and feel a little better.  He's old and falling apart.  His fur is matted and missing a few patches.  His eyes are chipped.  He is currently missing an ear; I think I know where it is though.  When it is found he'll go in for surgery for ear repairs.  My brothers would tease me that my rabbit needs to be burned, as he's so old and tattered.  I think he's just loved and has a lot of love to be had in him.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room.  "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't howyou are made" said the Skin Horse.  "It's a thing that happens to you.  When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometime," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful.  "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wond up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse.  "You become.  It takes a long time.  That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.  Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.  But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Outdoor Ed

In just 3 short days my oldest child will be heading off to Outdoor Ed.  This fact brings many conflicting emotions.  I am excited for him to go on this adventure - hiking, zip line, camp fires, learning.  Yet it will be his first trip away from home without a parent along.  Part of me wants to lock him in his room and not let him go!  The fact that his door has no lock on it is besides the point.  It's hard to admit that your kids are growing up, especially when you keep asking them to stop.  We've got almost everything we need, just a few things to pick up (like a poncho), then packing everything up.  He even got a new camera, which he is super excited about.  It's nothing fancy, but it will work.  He'll be able to take a couple thousand pictures if he wants.  So I just need to buck up and admit that my baby is growing up.  He'll have a great time, though the rest of us will miss him.  Especially his younger brother who does not like being alone in his room at night.  I see a week long sleep over in his sisters room coming!

I Dare You Not to Smile....

I love this video!  It makes me smile every time.  In general I love the music of Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson.  Watch as people notice the music, the toes start tapping, hands start clapping, people start smiling, and dancing.  How can you not smile?

Hydrocephalus Awareness

September is Hydrocephalus Awareness month!  Hydrocephalus is a medical condition in which cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, collects in the ventricles in the brain causing increased intracranial pressure. This is a very serious medical condition that can cause enlargement of the head, seizures, mental disability, and even death if left untreated. Please visit http://www.hydroassoc.org/ for more information.

The number of people who develop hydrocephalus or who are currently living with it is difficult to establish since there is no national registry or database of people with the condition. However, experts estimate that hydrocephalus affects approximately 1 in every 500 children.

This is one of a few conditions that my nephew has.  He is such an amazing little boy.  He is my hero.  He is defying odds left and right; he is doing it with a smile!  I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about this condition and raise your awareness. 

Math Wiz

A math wiz I am not.  I do okay at it.  I often had a hard time understanding it the way the teachers taught it.  My husband is all about math.  If teaching paid more being a high school math teacher would be his dream job.  My mom was really good at math too.  She'll probably disagree with the really when she reads this (hi mom!), but my grandma has told me the stories.  My dad is an architect and my father-in-law an aeronautical engineer.  So it should come as no surprise that my kids rock at math! 

My oldest has test anxiety pretty badly.  Even with that he chose to do 2 days of math testing last week.  I was proud of him for pushing through his anxiety to even test!  The testing was to skip 6th grade math and move onto pre-algebra.  Out of around 120 6th graders only 15 got chosen to be in pre-algebra (not all of them tested, they had to chose, with parental permission) to test.  You guessed it - he made it!  He came home with a letter and a HUGE smile on his face.  Congratulations kiddo!  I am so proud of you and know that you will rock it!