VA-KAY

Cole,

We went camping this past weekend to the Royal Gorge with Michelle. It was a BLAST! We drove down Saturday, found the campsite, pitched the tent and headed for the Royal Gorge. We:

• 
  
  took the tramway across the Gorge (you were scared...but it was cute)


• 
  
  saw Elk, white buffalo, long horn sheep


• 
  
  petted the goats


• 
  
  rode a horse


• 
  
  watched crazy people ride the sky coaster


• 
  
  walked across the bridge


• 
  
  drank an icee


• 
  
  rode the carousel - (what do you do when an lion, girafe, and zebra are chasing you? Get off the merry-go-around. HA HA. Remember that old guy at the gas station told us that one)


• 
  
  Rode the train

Then, we played back at the campground. You:

• 
  
  rode the go-karts with Michelle


• 
  
  went down the BIG slide


• 
  
  ate pizza


• 
  
  roasted marshmellows


• 
  
  got your feet washed (yikes)


• 
  
  and finally slept

You woke up a couple times and said, Mom - look at all the stars...then went right back to sleep. It was funny!

The next day, we went to Garden of the Gods which was awesome and FREE! You were the official photographer and you took some amazing pictures....including a few of my butt...on purpose.

You told Michelle she was pretty....awwwww!

We just had the best weekend. Too many pictures to post but I'll add them to your next book for sure.

Big hugs,

Mommy

Junior Ranger Adventure Day

Cole,

You and Daddy went with Cesar and Sofia to Junior Ranger Adventure Day on July 30 at Walker Ranch Open Space. You:

1. Helped the rangers solve the crimes that happened in the park.

2. Ran the obstacle course.

3. Built a bird feeder out of recycled materials.

4. Met the special search and rescue dogs that work for the parks.

5. Explored a real ranger patrol vehicle.

Made a pledge:

"As a Junior Ranger, I promise to appreciate, respect, and protect our natural lands, here in Boulder County, and in the natural world, wherever I go. I will help keep wildlife wild, I will leave rocks, plants and historical objects where I find them, for everyone to enjoy, for myself and for future generations."

Love you Jr. Ranger Cole,

Mommy

Clouds

Dear Cole,

I had a window seat on my flight home from Boston last night. I usually have a aisle seat which means I don't get to the see the beauty of the sky during flight. But last night, I did. When I looked out after a while of resting my eyes, we were so high above the clouds. Big, fluffy, pillowy, cotton balls....everywhere in the blue sunlight sky. I wanted to jump on them with you, play in them with you, hear you laugh and giggle, tickle you on them, lay on them, bound from one to the next forever....I imagined us doing those things I pretended that we could play in the sky and it was a beautiful moment. Thank you for being there with me. Later in the flight, we went through different clouds that were stretched and dense and dark from the setting sun. Gone were our fluffy bouncy cotton balls.

I missed you darling. I love you so much!

Good night Monkey,
Mommy

Visit

Dear Cole,

Aunt Nancy was here this weekend. We had lunch with her on Sunday. When Uncle Derrick and I were younger, we would go to her farm for summer. We're all grown up now and all my cousin's have babies now. It's hard to imagine.

Thanks for being you darling. Sweet, sweet Cole.

I love you,

Mommy

Happy Birthday Mr. Seven

Mr. Seven,

How is it even possible? You can't be seven. We were just celebrating you going to Kindergarten and 1st grade....now all of the sudden you're seven. Impossible.

I remember the day the you born. It all started when I went to the bathroom at Safeway. By the time I got and called Grandma, we knew it wouldn't be long before I went into labor. And sure enough, as I was eating my yummy chili dinner, I felt my first contraction. And 12 minutes later, I felt another one. Then 8, then 6, then 4, then 3....and we were off to the hospital. They thought you would come quick, but some 10 hours later, you decided it was time. I remember your first cry. My sweet sweet baby.

I love you more than anything in this world. I was meant to be your mother. If that is my sole purpose for existing, to love you and teach you, then I accept.

I can't explain what being your mother is like. Tonight, I tucked you into bed and you smelled of coconuts and I tickled you and breathed you in. You liked the bathroom spray so much, you sprayed yourself in it. My coconut baby.

You woke me up this morning with smiles and cuddles and "I'm hungry"! I wanted to sleep longer, but you were so cute how could I resist. You still need me!...even if it's just to poor the milk. I'll take it.

You are incredible - in every way. I hope you never forget how special you are. Happy Birthday darling.

I love you,

Mommy

Where did June go?

Dear Cole,

Too much has been going on to update you on. But, I would like to recount all the fun field trips you took in June (besides the Bay every Friday):

Casa Bonita

Butterfly Pavilion

Invesco Field

Jumpy Jordy's

Skate City

Bowling

I'm sure there is more but I don't remember all your summer camp adventures. We saw a handful of movies too:

• Transformers (Grandma took you to the 3D showing. You popped the lens out of the glasses and wore them for a week....it was adorable).
• Green Lantern
• Cars2
• Kung Fu Panda

Daddy took you to the Good Guys Car Show. We went to Lakeside with Uncle Joe and Michael. We even took you and Sofia to the Renaissance Festival. It was a busy month.

Love,

Mommy

Cousins

Cole,

Last Sunday we went to Uncle Derrick's for a bbq. You and your cousins are soooo cute.

Thanks V and Derrick for inviting us over for good food and conversation.

Love,

Us

Father's Day

Dear Cole,
We made Dad mexican eggs for breakfast. Then we went for a hike up in Boulder at Dakota Ridge. The air was cool and crisp but it didn't take long for us to warm up. Then, we dropped him at the spa and we cruised down to Grandma and Grandpa's with Uncle Derrick and the kids for lunch.

After we got home, we watched a movie and then made food for the bbq at the Nufio's. What a good time. You played with Sofia and Dylan - chase, finding bugs, baseball, etc.

It was a good weekend celebrating Daddy. You always make us feel so special.

Big hugs,
Wendy

Lakeside Amusement Park

Umple Joe and Michael came with us to Lakeside last weekend. We had half off tickets from school so it was well worth it. Now, Lakeside may be old (around since 1908) and it's tired but we sure did have a blast.

Thanks for spending your Saturday with us. We love you guys.

Good Guys Car Show

Cole,


Dad took you to the Good Guys Car Show last Sunday. You guys had an awesome time looking at the old cars, eating corndogs, buying shirts and sunglasses, and just having some father/son time. I love when you guys have bonding time.

Love you - Mom

Touch-a-Truck

Cole,
We went to truck-a-truck last weekend. Sadly, it's probably the last time we'll be going to that event...your getting too big. We invited Sofia and stopped for donuts on our way. After donuts though, you guys just weren't getting along. Fighting and arguing...it was painful. So, we didn't stay long. We left, with me telling you that neither of you could talk in the car and after about five minutes, you guys were better. We stopped by a park and you guys played with a catepillar that you found. Then, we headed home because Dena took you guys to Home Depot to the Builders Workshop where you made dad a Father's Day present. You guys ended up spending most of the day together, but geez, it was a rough one.

I remember taking you to Touch-A-Truck for the first time when you were 3. You loved it. Now, you're just big and almost 7. Where is my baby boy?

I love you Cole,

Mommy

Memorial Weekend

Baby Cakes,

Tim came to town so while dad was off mountain biking, we went to the Boulder Creek Festival last Saturday. It was the first time I've ever been and it's HUGE! We had so much fun walking around, getting your face painted, playing with fake swords, eating cotton candy, helping a street performer in his act, riding a bull, and just enjoying each others company.

Then, we gave Grandma her Mother's Day present which was helping her clean out her flower beds. It was hard word but we all did it together and the time went by fast and again, just enjoying each others company.

On Sunday, we met Umple Derrick and Aunt Veronica for some park fun with the kids. After the park, we played in the fountain and even got an ice cream cone. I love Old Town Arvada and I love my brother and his family. AND again, just enjoying each others company.

Monday was a BBQ at Sofia's. Amazing food. It was fun hanging out enjoying each others company.

It was a great weekend filled with friends, family, and fun!

Love you,
Mommy

2nd Grade

Darling,

Today was your last day of 1st grade. We celebrated with pizza, a movie, and dairy queen and of course your best friend, Sofia. I can't believe how fast you are growing up. I'm excited for:

Warm weather

Being outside

Riding bikes

Hiking

Swimming

Camping

Elitches

Go-Karts

Celebrating your 7th birthday

Pretty much I'm just excited for summer. Congrats on finishing 1st grade.

Hugs,

Mommy

Faking It

Dear Cole,

Your friend Carson broke his arm a couple of weeks ago and on Saturday, you decided to have a broken arm too. You wore daddy's sling just about all day. While we were out and about you would say to me "No one is even saying anything about my arm." It was funny.

I love you.

Mommy

Working it

Dear Cole,

You so know how to work me. Like, when you asked me to get the game from downstairs this morning, "I'll give you 10 kisses and 10 hugs" or like the other night when you were taking a bath, "will you please wash my hair?". My first thought is, you can wash your own hair, but then, half a second a later, I realize that soon enough, you won't be asking me for things like that. So, whenever you ask things like, "Will you please wash my hair" or "can we snuggle in your bed and read"....the answer should always be YES. You're getting growing up and fast.

We watched Justin Bieber's Never Say Never DVD. I've got Bieber Fever now....seriously. He is so cute. You remind me of him with your big eyes.

We're off to see the movie Soul Surfer. It's almost summer buddy. Four more days of school!

I love you so much.

Mommy

1st Grade

Cole,

1st grade is almost over. You know school is almost out when field day is right around the corner. Here is your class picture. You'll laugh of these some days.

Mother's Day

Dear Cole,
You and dad went the store while I was still sleeping and got some of my favorite things like biscuits, bacon, cookies...and you helped daddy make breakfast for me. You even made the scrambled eggs. Delivered hot and fresh to the bedroom on a silver platter (ok, on a cookie sheet, but same difference). Thanks for making my morning so special.

You made me the most wonderful gift. Dena took you and Sofia to Home Depot for a Kid's Build Workshop. You built a planter, picked out my favorite colors in paint, and you picked out just the right flowers you knew I loved and came home and painted the planter. You worked so hard at Sofia's house and I'm so proud of what you made for me. Thank you baby doll. It's so amazing and beautiful and it's sitting in the center of our dining room table.

Daddy rebuilt my computer and loaded some music on my ipod and it's AWESOME. Thanks Chris. Big hugs to both of you.

I love you,

Mommy

Michael Turns 7

Happy 7th Birthday Michael. Thanks for inviting us to Boondocks. I can't believe you boys are already (and almost) 7. Where are our babies?!!!

Cole, Michael ended up getting hurt after we left. He got stitches near his eye because he got hit in the face with a golf club at Boondocks...(boys, you can't control them). You were so concerned about him the next day when you heard the news that you kept saying things like, "I hope Michael is ok." "Do you think Michael is ok?" "I wish I could see Michael to make sure he is ok." "I bet Michael eye really hurts."

Sweet darling. I love you.

Carnival

Cole,

Emerald had it's annual carnival. We had a blast. You played games, won cupcakes at the Cake Walk, eat yummy food, and got your face painted.
See for yourself.....

Love you,

Mommy

Indoor Camp Out

Dear Cole,

We were set to got to Ft. Collins to camp out the night before Katie's marathon. We had a camp site reserved and everything, but the weather didn't cooperate for us. So, instead of camping outdoors, we camped indoors. We set up the tent in your bedroom, made hot dogs, and even roasted marshmellows...by candlelight. They were pretty good too.

I love you monkey.
Mommy

EB

Dear Cole,

The Easter Bunny came and dropped off a basket with cute bunny and Learn How To Draw book. You were soooo excited...You kept saying, "How did he know this is exactly what I wanted?" Hmmmm, good question.

We met Uncle Derrick and family over at Grandma's for an Easter Egg Hunt. We filled the eggs with coins and dollars. You guys were so cute. Look at this picture of you covering Eliana's eyes while we hid the eggs.

Grandma made all the kids bags with their names embroidered on them with fun stuff instead, like a new soft bunny and fun straw (which you immediately used when we got home to drink a glass of milk) .

Happy Easter family! Thanks for sharing your day with us.

37 or is it only 36

Dear Cole,

I thought I was going to be 37 this year, but thanks to Aunt Veronica, I'm only 36. I called her and said something like, "So, how's it feel to be turning 32? (see I know these things because we're five years apart)" And she said, "I'm only turning 31, which means you're only turning 36!" YIPPEE for me. That conversation totally made my day.

We celebrated with Angel Food cake which grandma made (not shown in first picture....that's Aunt Veronica's deliciousness). Here is grandma's attempt...don't be fooled - looks aren't everything. I ate the whole cake BEFORE dinner....practically by myself. Although, grandma helped a little.

She brought over fried chicken, edamame, potato salad, and yummy cake, and beautiful balloons, and a gift certificate for a massage.

You and daddy got me a sweet pair of shades and two cases for protection. You guys call me "Hollywood" now. I absolutely love them. Big hugs.

Aunt Veronica and family couldn't come over cuz the kids were sick, but don't think we didn't eat that cake right up. We missed them though.

Sofia and Dena came over for cake and brought gorgeous tulips.

I felt very special. Thanks to all my family and friends for making my day so awesome with warm wishes, cards, gifts, and food. Here's to being only 36!

Hugs,

Mommy

Lunch visitor

Dear Cole,
Daddy came to school today and ate with you in the cafeteria. You and your friends were so excited....I think daddy was too. You guys had pizza which probably wasn't right for daddy's stomach, but once he told you six weeks ago that he would be able to have lunch with you when you had pizza at school, you asked every week for six weeks. The schedule finally worked out.

I love darling. We've been up to a lot, I haven't gotten around to writing about Easter, camp out with Sofia, soccer....and I'm sure more once I look at the pictures on my camera waiting to be downloaded. Soon love.

Hugs,
Mommy

Port-a-Potty

Dear Cole,

We were at soccer practice last week and I was sitting in the car staying warm. You rushed up to the door and in a very urgent and frantic voice said, "Mom, I have to go poop. I have to go poop and pee now." And you were doing the poop pee dance. I said, "ok, let's go over to the port-a-potty over there (pointing to the unit at the end of the field)." Instaneously, the urge to go to the bathroom subsided. You said very calmly and confident, "That's ok, I don't have to go anymore."

You pinched your cheeks the whole practice - it looked like agony and, honestly, I'm surprised but thankful that you didn't pee your pants. About 15 minutes left in practice, I couldn't take it anymore. I swooped you up and carried you to the portapotty. You said, "I'm not going in. Can I just pee by it? I don't want to go in." In the end you did end up going pee in the unit but there wasn't anyway you were going to sit on the seat to do number 2. You held onto that poo until we got in the car and then I thought you might (for real) poop your pants in my car.

Daddy always jokes that when people are speeding, it's because they have to take a poop. So, when we saw me haulin ass down our street, he told the neighbor - someone must have a code brown. So true darling. So true!

We made it....barely.

I love you monkey. You make me laugh!

Hugs,

Mommy

Sick

Darling,
You are sick. The nurse called me at work and I came and got you. We snuggled in bed and watched Hood Winked, played on the ipad, read books, played board games. Mellow, relaxing stuff. You have a fever and sore throat and I hope you don't have strep.

Twice you said, "I'm sorry I interrupted your work day." Sweet pea. I told you, "If i could trade being sick with you, i would." I'd much rather be sick than watch you be sick. You're not good at being sick. You get bored too easily and you're restless. So, let's switch, okay?

I love you monkey and I'll always be here to take care of you,
Mommy

Art Show

Dear Cole,

Your artwork was chosen to be displayed at the 2011 Boulder Valley Schools k-8 Art Show. The show was open March 5-April 3 at the Boulder Public Library. Tonight, you were honored at Emerald. You stood in front of your art and as people passed by, you told them about your piece. It was so awesome. Dad and I are super proud of you.

You've been learning about impressionism and Monet. You describe your bridge piece like this:

So, you know Monet. Ok, well, Monet didn't use black or shadowing. He didn't go swish swash swish swash when he painted. He used a lot of little tiny dots, which I've included. The sun is shining, reflecting on the water, and bouncing back to the underneath of the bridge.

Well done darling. Well done.

Dear Cole,

Yesterday, Dena explained a rising situation. It goes like this - she is going to North Carolina for work in July and Cesar and Sofia will join her. They will be gone 5 to 6 months. Half of summer. All of fall. I already miss them. I don't want them to go. I'm sad that you and Fia won't be able to play and have sleep overs and watch movies and eat dinner together. We'll have to set you two up on Skype. It makes me sad so I'm not going to think about it. Sofia is your best friend. She can't go. She just can't.

Pirate Party

Dear Cole,

Eliana turned 4, Parker turned 2, and Aunt V turned 31! They celebrated by throwing a Pirate Party. You went as Jack Sparrow...I didn't get a picture of you with your full costume, but here was a few days before. Look how big you are. You had great fun playing with the other kids in the Pirate Jumpy. Uncle Gabe showed up as a 'big' Pirate! It was cool.