Halloween Mornin'

Of course..it snowed! It just wouldn't be Halloween in Colorado without a beautiful white covering!! And for the boys is couldn't be a better day...snow to play in and candy to collect! By the big age of 3 Cedar has the whole thing figured out....his love, CANDY..so with a nap in the midst soon enough it will be time to bundle up the ole' costume and head for the town. Estes Park closes down the main streets and thousands of kiddos come rushing in for their fix! YA, I do admit I am ready for a little snacking myself!!!! Peanut Butter Cups i hope.

ohhhh pumpkin patch

oh pumpkin patch,,,the annual festival! Yes, unbelievably it is already mid-October which in Colorado means..we have already done our first hike in snow..and I mean snow. We cruised up our Mt, with friends last week to find ourselves in over 6inches of snow! Unprepared mother I am Cedar ended up with bags over his feet to protect him from the snow!! The boys loved it...pics to come soon!!

It also means time for PUMPKINS! No apple orchards here...so every town and farm has there own pumpkin fest! Our kids love the fest with all the rides ( the farthest thing from the farmland of course)..and the pumpkins in a patch debatable! The come in by the truckloads and are stacked for the kiddos to pick through! But none the less the look on Cedars eyes this year when we pulled up says it all! This year Mimi and Grandpa were in town. So with plenty of rides, pony rides, plenty of Carmel apples, candy, homemade bread, apple cider,,you would say we had a great time! And where does that leave us. Well waiting for the Big Snow of Halloween! With one week to go I have lots to prepare for as we are making Cedars costume.

where did my little guy go?

WOW, Cedar...where did you go growing up and all! Not so much in the physical way but he is so not a toddler/little guy. I know he hasn't toddled in years(did I a say years how is he over 3?)..unless you count the endless falls that still occur from moment to time jumping off of everything! But cedar is growing up! It truly hit me when Mimi and Grandpa were in town and Cedar could have had nothing to do with me for days!! Yes, he looked back to see if i am around, or to ask a quick question to which he already know the answer simply out of comfort..but while the grandparents were here is was Mr. Independent! He wanted to only ride in their car, sit by them, sleep in their hotel (much to his disappointment fell asleep before getting the the hotel and crashed at home) oh but by 4am he would say, "lets go see Mimi!" Cedar just starting to get true emotions..tell amazing stories and has a memory of a lifetime. While Mimi and grandpa were her we hit the pumpkin patch fest..he rode the BIG Dragon Roller Coaster! Looked incredibly nervous, asked if I would come, nope too big..and went anyway! Yesterday as we were driving he brought up the ride. Out of nowhere he said " I was scared on the roller coaster..so I laid near the boy next to me, he wasn't scared." Cedar has also become quite the theatrical one..he tells the Little Miss Muffet story with silly tones..and sings hokey poky for hours! The little tales of Cedar!!!!!

My handymen!!

Just loves these pics of my hard workin' boys!!! Mimi and Grandpa Rick sent a package recently with fun tool aprons..and things to build! And build we are...a tool box and helicopter..not to mention all of daddies work that needs the boys help!!!! Funny, the minute Cedar has his on Orien is screaming in the background for his to be put on!!!!

Busy week with the Boys!!!

playing, dance, soccer, school.. oh my!! Yes the fall brings with it lots of activities!!! Cedar has begun 2 new ways of playing!!! He is one of 2 boys who are dancing away amongst tutus and silly girls. He really seems to like it. I think tap a bit more because it is "loud!" Though I believe he really loves the ending which is the balance beam and a sucker! He is more of a watcher then doer!! But with grin on his face he stays close to the teacher and all week we hear stories of dance!! Soccer is our new Saturday ritual.....again he loves to run and kick..especially likes kicking it to the goal...and again the Hot Chocolate is his favorite..I see a trend here!!!! we are off to more play!!!!! books to be read, forts to be built!

How do you measure Success?

The question of the day. I sit here contemplating what success really is. And more importantly how is it measured from person to person. Is it the American dream? A white picket fence, a gated community, the new house, the "old" house with every addition, a PRIUS for the long commute, the right EVERYTHING. Is it the raise in the job, the "climbing" the ladder of positions? Is it the one who can say they worked the most hours in a day? The family who has to take vacations to truly see each other a few times a year? Are you only successful in the work environment. The one who keep there laptop on until 2am and gets back to work by 5am? Are we successful by how many kids we have? Is it just enough to have children and not raise them a minute? Is it success to have others parent so again the money will flow? Cause if this is it count me out. Count me out of endless dinners left cold on the stove. Children asking where daddy is. Count me out of competition for the best gear etc... for the kids. Count me out for the bed cold and lonely. Count me out of this dream...if this is success I hope to FAIL. I hear too many people say that when they look back at there upbringings they we always alone. Easy mac and TV was there welcoming home after a long day. Funny enough now the parents of these adults say they regret it all. I was one of the fortunate, always had a parent to cheer me on or help make the fall less painful. Then why do we continue to go this direction as a culture? Why is work more important then family? Why is there no such thing as a long-term paid maternity leave in our country. Why is there not even enough money for the underpaid to have health care? I would need to at least head up north to get respect mothers and babies bonding time. Why don't we care about these simple parts of life???

I hope to have too much time with my children. Too much time with my family. Too much time wandering the mountains, listening to little ones stories, eating snacks and laughing. I want to fail in the competition of material goods and how many scheduled things my family is in. I want time to eat dinner as a family, read stories as a family, I want time......for living. Will I have to fail to be successful. This is my revolution. To take back time. To find our roots. To be a family in constant motion....together.

Were Dreaming Fairies

With so many days spent wandering through the woods we have begun a new tradition. We are building fairy houses and fairy boats. It only seems right to give back as we use there magical human/spirits home. I hear they love reason for celebrations so we assist in there gatherings. Truly I am waiting for the day I see my first fairy. Nope, can't say that I have ever laid eyes on such a mystical creature..and am envious off all that have. I am stuck with the visions of Tinkerbell (funny enough my trail name while on the AT), the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and oh yes the dwarfs with Snow White. What I love most, Cedar hasn't even seen a picture of a fairy...and has yet to ask what a fairy is...but is persistent that we build them wonderful shelters.

I wonder what Cedar thinks every time we begin another Fairy home. What does he see, maybe he truly sees fairies all around. Today he said that they must love bathing in the river. That the river heats up and is a hot tub for all the fairies. So when we end each hike, and say farewell to the fairies i just love the magic in Cedars eyes when he says " Goodbye Fairies!!!"

(ohh dear,,little cedar and his cheesy smile!!)