Shady Lakes Field Trip

I went on a field trip with Ian's class at the end of May, we went fishing at Shady Lakes. It is a little place next to the Rio Grande. It was really hot and I came home with a few mosquito bites. I was glad that my mom was willing to watch Poppy. Sometimes I feel guilty to not be able to participate with more of these things. I want to while my kids still like me to be involved in their life!Here's Ian taking his turn fishing. The older man next to him is a grandfather of a student in Ian's class.

Ian with his fish and a close up on the poor thing.

Ian's other catch that day.

Some of the beautiful water plants they had there. Can you tell I loved the water lilies?

Cool Video

Weston had me listen to this song and now I can't get it out of my head

Cabin Trip

We are at our family cabin (shared with some other families) in Colorado. Our family has been able to come up her since I was about Poppy's age. It's interesting being one of the Moms up here and comparing the experiences now to the memories I had when I was a kid. I keep thinking that I need to make sure the kids have a good time and actually spend the time outside doing things I remember doing. Here are Ian and Gena learning how to do dishes the old fashioned way. I think they look like it's fun because of the novelty. Ian actually wasn't as excited as Gena.
I didn't even remind Ian that he forgot his DS. He hasn't said anything about it either so here he is reading an Archie comic book I bought for him.
"Help! Help!" this is Poppy's new game at the cabin. It's cute but gets a little old having to go up and "unlock" her. I finally told her that I had a magic wand to release her. I remember getting in trouble for sticking my head through this railing, and dropping toys off the edge and throwing blocks down the stairs.

We hiked up to Treasure Falls today (Saturday). Weston and my dad made it up last night and we set off for the falls this morning. It's an easy hike. Poppy actually walked most of the way up.
Here Weston is posing at an overlook of the valley. It was so green and gorgeous. More of the cabin to come later.

Funny Kids

This morning while I was getting the kids ready for school, Gena was taking her sweet time getting up as usual. I had Ian putting the clean utensils away from the dishwasher while I made him a quick breakfast. He turns to me afterward and says "Mom you scratch my back and I scratch yours." Yeah I don't think that's the real meaning of that phrase Ian.

Finally Gena was ready and I asked her if she wanted anything to eat and after refusing she makes me a list of things to do for the day. If it were only as easy as writing the list. Thanks Gena, I'll get right to it.

How does your garden grow?

They are finished blooming now but I love these irises that were given to me by a friend of my mom's. They are so beautiful. The crazy thing is how tall they are. Look at Genevieve and Poppy next to them. They don't dwarf Ian but he's a pretty tall kid now. I think when I thin them out I am going to do another row down the other side of the house. They just make it look nicer.

I have been doing more gardening. I went shopping with my mom and dad up in Santa Fe at one of the nurseries I like up there. I also just picked up a few things here and there. It was nice to have at least the snapdragons I planted come back and also some of the wildflower that took up the whole front garden last year. I don't think I will let them go so crazy this year. Our back lawn is thriving but I think it want's more water than we are allowed to give it.

Tractors and Stuff

A family picture in the inside of a tractor shovel thing.

Gena liked the tractors that she could climb on.

While in the midwest we got to get up close and personal with a lot of tractors. We took the kids to the John Deer Pavilion in downtown Moline. We also ate a the Machine Shed in Iowa for family night. There were also some Bob the builder tractors at the Children's Museum in Bettendorf Iowa which is just across the river from Weston's parents town.




We liked the illustrations on these warning labels. But when you look at the tines on this sugar cane harvester it makes sense.

Gena is awesome!