We're here! It's been a long time dream for me to come to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the biggest hot air balloon festival in the world. It has been well worth the wait and the timing was perfect. Now I can share the experience with my little girls who LOVE hot air balloons and it has been spectacular. Everyone needs to make the pilgrimage out here.
Thursday night, we saw 100s of special shapes blow up on the field, and we got to be right there on the field with the balloonists. We took hundred of pix and we saw balloons in the shapes of a stagecoach, champagne bottle, beer can, pepsi can, 3 pigs, tweety bird, nemo, a pumpin, scarecrow, haunted house, moving truck, felix the cat, 2 pirates, a train, daisy, alien from Roswell, pottery pitcher, 2 buildings, witch, ladybug, fish, spider, Darth Vader, Noah's Ark, two kissing bumble bees, an evil bumble bee with a stinger, monkey with balloonist dressed as bananas, Smokey the Bear, the Energizer bunny, a stork, fishbowl, a carousel, cow, airplane, strawberry, iguana, tree with animals, storks, winnie the pooh, alligator, eagle, cactus, car, bull, uncle sam, parrot, and more if you can believe it. We also got to go Friday morning and saw balloons glowing in the dark flying before dawn. Kids were up at 3:30am ready to roll, so after baths and a big breakfast we hit the road. Friday, we saw all the special shapes launch and fly. We then saw 100s of regular balloons launch and fly. Sadly, one of the balloons shaped like a triangle hit a power line and caught fire. One pilot died. Luckily, we didn't witness the event.
We're off to Santa Fe today and are staying one night there before our adventure ends for now.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Spiderbaby turns 2 / Mom visits
Happy Birthday Spiderbaby! I Love You!!
My littlest girl turned 2. Poor baby had teh worst bday of her life. I 'm glad we had her bday dinner party the night before her big day, as she spent her big day being sick and cranky. Her dinner party was a blast. She had two little guests, Baby Daniel and her sister Princess. Her nana flew in town for the weekend, and Mouse's cousins who live in the Springs came too. Our good friends Heather and Ed came down from Denver and it was a party. I have been enjoying cooking in my new kitchen and cook almost all of our meals anyhoo. I made a great dinner all from scratch for her bday, spinach lasagna, italian herb bread and homemade vanilla ice cream (love our new ice cream maker). She and her friends played pin the nose on Elmo and ate cake and danced. She got a lot of great presents, including new pjs, a princess Barbie, art supplies and a check for a children's theater series. It's going to be a fun year for her.
My mom came out to visit and will tell you this is a great place to visit. Luckily, Mouse got a few days off after working 12-15 hour evening shifts all week. Friday night, we all went to a chuckwagon dinner at teh Flying W ranch. Food was good but we all recommend skipping the beans if you go. Entertainment was amazing - 5 talented cowboys singing and playing their instruments. One of the cowboys is a 5 time world champion fiddler. We also saw some great native american dancers and a world champion hoop dancer. Touring the town at the chuckwagon was a lot of fun and I bought my new perfect Colorado jacket - it is a light purple suede with big fat rhinestone buttons up the front and a big fur collar. Love it. Now I'm a real southwestern momma.
Saturday, pre-spidergirl bday party - Princess had her first soccer game. She was too cute and did well. Can't wait to see her grow as an athlete.
Sunday, Mouse took mom and Princess on a hike at the Garden of the Gods, Old Colorado City and to Manitou Springs. Monday, we covered a lot of town and went to the Ghost town (tourist trap big time) and panned for gold (my mom got lucky), toured the Van Briggle Pottery, toured Patsy's chocolate factory (big recommend) where they loaded us up with fresh samples- my favorite being the choc. adn almond covered toffee. We hiked Helen Hunt falls, drove by the Broadmoor, and the Cheyenne Mountain zoo. We finished the day by going to the Current Catalog Outlet and we shopped!
Tuesday, the ladies all toured the US Air Force Academy visitors center, hiked .3 miles with the little ones to the Cadet Chapel, and toured this amazing landmark. We hiked back and went bowling and had lunch. We planned to go horse back riding but the little ones fell asleep on the way there.
We did so much, but there is much to do here! Next on the list - the North Pole, US Olympic training center, camping at the academy, Falcons Football game on the 20th. I love it here and can't wait to get out more. Everyone here keeps getting sick. Mouse is out for the count and is on bedrest for 48 hours. Princess was sick for 2 days and Spidergirl is on the mend. Next, the hurricanes need to go away so my Mouse can go back to working days. We're surviving.
Shout out to my Just moved group in Pittsburgh. I'm praying for a good day tomorrow as you start your fall class. I'm thinking about you and missing you all.
My littlest girl turned 2. Poor baby had teh worst bday of her life. I 'm glad we had her bday dinner party the night before her big day, as she spent her big day being sick and cranky. Her dinner party was a blast. She had two little guests, Baby Daniel and her sister Princess. Her nana flew in town for the weekend, and Mouse's cousins who live in the Springs came too. Our good friends Heather and Ed came down from Denver and it was a party. I have been enjoying cooking in my new kitchen and cook almost all of our meals anyhoo. I made a great dinner all from scratch for her bday, spinach lasagna, italian herb bread and homemade vanilla ice cream (love our new ice cream maker). She and her friends played pin the nose on Elmo and ate cake and danced. She got a lot of great presents, including new pjs, a princess Barbie, art supplies and a check for a children's theater series. It's going to be a fun year for her.
My mom came out to visit and will tell you this is a great place to visit. Luckily, Mouse got a few days off after working 12-15 hour evening shifts all week. Friday night, we all went to a chuckwagon dinner at teh Flying W ranch. Food was good but we all recommend skipping the beans if you go. Entertainment was amazing - 5 talented cowboys singing and playing their instruments. One of the cowboys is a 5 time world champion fiddler. We also saw some great native american dancers and a world champion hoop dancer. Touring the town at the chuckwagon was a lot of fun and I bought my new perfect Colorado jacket - it is a light purple suede with big fat rhinestone buttons up the front and a big fur collar. Love it. Now I'm a real southwestern momma.
Saturday, pre-spidergirl bday party - Princess had her first soccer game. She was too cute and did well. Can't wait to see her grow as an athlete.
Sunday, Mouse took mom and Princess on a hike at the Garden of the Gods, Old Colorado City and to Manitou Springs. Monday, we covered a lot of town and went to the Ghost town (tourist trap big time) and panned for gold (my mom got lucky), toured the Van Briggle Pottery, toured Patsy's chocolate factory (big recommend) where they loaded us up with fresh samples- my favorite being the choc. adn almond covered toffee. We hiked Helen Hunt falls, drove by the Broadmoor, and the Cheyenne Mountain zoo. We finished the day by going to the Current Catalog Outlet and we shopped!
Tuesday, the ladies all toured the US Air Force Academy visitors center, hiked .3 miles with the little ones to the Cadet Chapel, and toured this amazing landmark. We hiked back and went bowling and had lunch. We planned to go horse back riding but the little ones fell asleep on the way there.
We did so much, but there is much to do here! Next on the list - the North Pole, US Olympic training center, camping at the academy, Falcons Football game on the 20th. I love it here and can't wait to get out more. Everyone here keeps getting sick. Mouse is out for the count and is on bedrest for 48 hours. Princess was sick for 2 days and Spidergirl is on the mend. Next, the hurricanes need to go away so my Mouse can go back to working days. We're surviving.
Shout out to my Just moved group in Pittsburgh. I'm praying for a good day tomorrow as you start your fall class. I'm thinking about you and missing you all.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Life Update
Over the past week or so, I've spent everyday in a hospital or Military Treatment facility in the Springs. First Mouse gets it. It's like food poisoning and he is up all night. Next day, I take him to the doctor. He's at home sick as a dog for 2 days. He starts to get better. Next day, I check on Spiderbaby before I went to sleep, and she is the hottest baby I've ever felt. I pick her up and she pukes on me. 104. Off to the hospital we go. Twice because her fever won't come down and it is a weekend. Two more visits to the doctor's office and her fever is under 100. Thank God. And Princess gets sick somewhere in there. Momma is earning her keep for sure here.
Just as everyone starts to heal, Mouse gets called up to work 12 hour shifts (which last night was more like 15 hours) from 7pm to 7am indefinitely every day of the week to monitor the Hurricanes. Nights. Not so easy on the body or or the tummy. Mouse gets sick again. The kids miss dad and we evacuate the house during the days so the Mouse can sleep in a quiet house. He gets up and is with us for 2 hours and heads back to work. It's tough. We still feel blessed. He is home with us. Not in harm's way. I am home full time and can hold down the fort.
This too shall pass and we'll go back to exploring our wonderful new home and report all the fabulous things we are getting to do and experience.
Next on our list:
-CAMPING!!! We think the kids are old enough and we are going to give it a shot. There is a family camping weekend at the Air Force Academy and if Mouse is off duty - we go.
Until then, my house will not be staged, so enter at your own risk. If you want to chat, call my cell during the day so that Mouse can sleep. Forgive me if I haven't responded to your email.
Next: Spiderbaby turns 2! Party report this weekend. Elmo will be there.
Just as everyone starts to heal, Mouse gets called up to work 12 hour shifts (which last night was more like 15 hours) from 7pm to 7am indefinitely every day of the week to monitor the Hurricanes. Nights. Not so easy on the body or or the tummy. Mouse gets sick again. The kids miss dad and we evacuate the house during the days so the Mouse can sleep in a quiet house. He gets up and is with us for 2 hours and heads back to work. It's tough. We still feel blessed. He is home with us. Not in harm's way. I am home full time and can hold down the fort.
This too shall pass and we'll go back to exploring our wonderful new home and report all the fabulous things we are getting to do and experience.
Next on our list:
-CAMPING!!! We think the kids are old enough and we are going to give it a shot. There is a family camping weekend at the Air Force Academy and if Mouse is off duty - we go.
Until then, my house will not be staged, so enter at your own risk. If you want to chat, call my cell during the day so that Mouse can sleep. Forgive me if I haven't responded to your email.
Next: Spiderbaby turns 2! Party report this weekend. Elmo will be there.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Two Promotions
Congrats to Mouse and Spiderbaby!
Next year, you'll have to call him Commander Mouse. Congrats Mouse for being selected for promotion to be a Commander. We are all so proud of you and your contributions to our country through the Coast Guard. You deserve it!
Also, Spiderbaby nailed two milestones this week. First, she figured out how to climb out of her crib, so we graduated her to a toddler bed. You go girl! Second, this afternoon, she quitely took her diaper off, went to her little potty by herself and announced that she went #2. Sure enough. She did and it was where it should go, and we had a big party. Oh the things that excite me these days...
Next year, you'll have to call him Commander Mouse. Congrats Mouse for being selected for promotion to be a Commander. We are all so proud of you and your contributions to our country through the Coast Guard. You deserve it!
Also, Spiderbaby nailed two milestones this week. First, she figured out how to climb out of her crib, so we graduated her to a toddler bed. You go girl! Second, this afternoon, she quitely took her diaper off, went to her little potty by herself and announced that she went #2. Sure enough. She did and it was where it should go, and we had a big party. Oh the things that excite me these days...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Meeting other Moms
I finally found it - the Moms Club. That is what it is called. In Pittsburgh, I belonged to MOPS (it was like a preschool for adults) and Mothers and More, but they don't have a M&M chapter here. I checked Meetup.com but didn't find a club that was open that would meet my needs to find other SAHMs so I can set up my kids with other playpals and myself with other moms I can talk to. Finally, I just googled moms and the springs and found a Moms Club. Perfect. They have playgroups, lunch outings, trips to the zoo and museums, hike together, go out with just the moms. Right up my alley. I meet some of the members at a local park and signed up on the spot. The group is within a 2 mile radius, so the most I'll ever drive 10 minutes. Love it.
My lovefest continues with the Y. I can't get over how friendly everyone is there. I have been going almost everyday and feel good, but tired. I did a spin class today and was cheered on by my 60+ year old bike neighbor who just finished a triathalon. The instructor was more like an inspirational coach and sports psychology. I left my class feeling inspired, like I am going to be in the Olympics in 4 years or that I will be back in a bikini by my next bday. The Y feels like home, like a community center, and I love it. I've started to meet other moms and lots of transplants.
My lovefest continues with the Y. I can't get over how friendly everyone is there. I have been going almost everyday and feel good, but tired. I did a spin class today and was cheered on by my 60+ year old bike neighbor who just finished a triathalon. The instructor was more like an inspirational coach and sports psychology. I left my class feeling inspired, like I am going to be in the Olympics in 4 years or that I will be back in a bikini by my next bday. The Y feels like home, like a community center, and I love it. I've started to meet other moms and lots of transplants.
The Olympics
We are so tired and our eyes are blurry and we're not unpacking. No. We're watching the Olympics each night. As tired as we are, we've been enjoying it, and feel for our East coast friends knowing that you are staying up 2 hours later than we are and have to go to work in the morning. I am banning Mouse from watching any more women's gymnastics. He is so passionate about sports and is really mad, as I am, about the poor new structure of the scoring and how the US is basically getting screwed. We love hearing Bella talk, and wish we could understand everything he is saying. On the other hand, we're enjoying seeing the track meets and of course the swim meets.
Friday, August 15, 2008
I Love My Y and Settling In
Still unpacking boxes and getting organized. Our house looks like a dorm room, but is really coming along, considering the Olympics on TV is really hindering our progress, as is having fun and exploring our new city. I am starting to settle into a routine. I am really enjoying being home with the girls, as because there is so much to do here to keep us curious girls busy and engaged, these two years are going to fly by. I will leave here kicking and screaming when it is time to transfer, and I say that after just a few weeks here.
I LOVE MY Y. We live very close to our local Y and I love it. I am exercising again. I went for a fitness assessment today and I'm still in good shape, but packed on 5 lbs. from the move. I don't think it will take long to get back in shape while we're living in the US' most fit and active city, esp with a Y so close. I have two words. Free Babysitting. I am there every day so I can workout and shower. I am really enjoying my circuit weight class - it is like Curves on steroids. I have biceps again after just a week. Spiderbaby is stuck in the baby class til next month, and she is going a bit bonkers, but I know she'll like the two's class, where she'll get to play outside, do the hokey pokey, and do craft time. Princess loves her class and has been doing all kinds of crafts and exercises. When she turns 4, she gets to play with the "big kids" class and do relays, jump on a 2 story bouncy house and slide and will then be more likely to take a nap for mom. Princess is already signed up for a soccer clinic (2 days a week) and both girls start swim lessons next month. Soccer games for Princess are on Saturdays, which we selfishly signed her up for so we can meet other parents.
Today, after the Y, we went to Barnes and Noble for story hour. Today's story was Madeleine, Princess' favorite. Afterwards, we went to McD's with one of the nicest playland's I've seen and I had them burn off steam so they would nap on this rare, but rainy day. We wanted to go to the Focus on the Family Visitors center, which reportedly has the best indoor playground in Co. Springs, but they were closed for monthly company-wide chapel time. Perhaps next rainy or cold day.
Princess is starting to read books on her own, thanks to those CDs that go with a book, where they beep when you need to turn the page. She is also working in a preschool worksbook where she is tracing letters and writing them . She is half way through the alphabet.
Spiderbaby is finally talking more and using her words. She is so sweet and her voice matches her personality.
Back to unpacking...
I LOVE MY Y. We live very close to our local Y and I love it. I am exercising again. I went for a fitness assessment today and I'm still in good shape, but packed on 5 lbs. from the move. I don't think it will take long to get back in shape while we're living in the US' most fit and active city, esp with a Y so close. I have two words. Free Babysitting. I am there every day so I can workout and shower. I am really enjoying my circuit weight class - it is like Curves on steroids. I have biceps again after just a week. Spiderbaby is stuck in the baby class til next month, and she is going a bit bonkers, but I know she'll like the two's class, where she'll get to play outside, do the hokey pokey, and do craft time. Princess loves her class and has been doing all kinds of crafts and exercises. When she turns 4, she gets to play with the "big kids" class and do relays, jump on a 2 story bouncy house and slide and will then be more likely to take a nap for mom. Princess is already signed up for a soccer clinic (2 days a week) and both girls start swim lessons next month. Soccer games for Princess are on Saturdays, which we selfishly signed her up for so we can meet other parents.
Today, after the Y, we went to Barnes and Noble for story hour. Today's story was Madeleine, Princess' favorite. Afterwards, we went to McD's with one of the nicest playland's I've seen and I had them burn off steam so they would nap on this rare, but rainy day. We wanted to go to the Focus on the Family Visitors center, which reportedly has the best indoor playground in Co. Springs, but they were closed for monthly company-wide chapel time. Perhaps next rainy or cold day.
Princess is starting to read books on her own, thanks to those CDs that go with a book, where they beep when you need to turn the page. She is also working in a preschool worksbook where she is tracing letters and writing them . She is half way through the alphabet.
Spiderbaby is finally talking more and using her words. She is so sweet and her voice matches her personality.
Back to unpacking...
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