May 2018-Farms, Fishing and Foxes

MAY was a BIG month.  I’ve said before that for Moms, May is the equivalent of Christmas.  The teachers are over trying to teach the kids anything and are just counting down the days until summer vacation.  The days are full of field day, pajama day, we’re doing nothing day.  And, the outside of school activities are no better….the weather is nice, so the golf lessons begin, the pool opens, and the outdoors beckon.  

But, before I jump into the whirlwind month, I thought I’d share this tidbit of information I came across on Facebook.  If there was ever a news story that I could get behind, it’s this one.  I will work tirelessly to ensure that I am well protected against dementia.  Nothing else will get done, but I will be happy and drunk.

(To anyone who thinks it’s tasteless for me to post something like this given the history of dementia and Alzheimer’s with my mom and grandmother, I will tell you that I appreciate your stance.  But, if I did not add a little humor to the situation, I’d be in bad shape emotionally.  I cannot sit around and stew and worry about what may lie ahead.  I have a life to live with the people I love, who deserve every part of me to be present).

Here goes….

 In news that will surprise exactly no one, we’ve decided to sell this beautiful home that we’ve been in less than a year and head back “home” to Fort Collins.  Developments with John’s business are the catalyst for the change, but I can’t say that even if the warehouse were staying where it is in the heart of the city, we wouldn’t still go back.  We like Denver, but we love Fort Collins.  All 3 of my kids have more or less lived their whole lives there, and the familiarity of it, not to mention their friends, is appealing.  

Plus, if I didn’t have to pack up a house and move once a year, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.  So, this was a photo of my beautiful kitchen on the morning that the photographer came to take pictures.  It’s never been so clean and free of clutter.  I’ve become such a pro at showing a house over the years, I can change it from disaster-zone to show-home in 2 hours.  Each time though, my skills get put to the test more and more.  The last house was 4500 square feet, and I could whip it into shape pretty quickly.  This one is 6800 square feet, and thus I’ll have my work cut out for me.

As part of the hopeful relocation back to Fort Collins, we’ve also made several trips up there to scope out a new house to live in.  I don’t have any pictures of anything we looked at because that would be weird, but I do have this picture of the Cirque de Soliel show in our hotel room.  What could possibly go wrong here?

And because we never stay home, on the second weekend of May we headed out to Fort Morgan to visit some family, see some baby calves, and do some fishing.  Malory is obsessed with any and all animals….those with scales, those with fur, those with feathers.  So, for Uncle Eric to let her feed some baby calves from a bottle was probably the single best moment of her life.  And, my 11-year-old thought it was pretty cool too.  Even this old farm girl jumped in on the action and I’ll say those little babies are pretty cute.  Better watch out or I’ll take one home to live with me….

We had also arranged to do a little fishing with Grandpa, which required we hit up the gas station to load up on worms, pork rinds and sunflower seeds.  Real fishing food.  Even with all of the appropriate supplies and our superb fishing guide, we didn’t catch a single fish.  I’m not sure we even had a bite. 

Even though I ragged on the teachers for not teaching my kids anything of use in the month of May, I do have to give them a shout out for their commitment to helping the kids with their Mother’s Day offerings.  This year’s cards from my little people were spectacular, some of my very favorites.  It was a great day, full of breakfast made by the hubby, a trip for family manicures and pedicures, a few hours to myself for a nap and a book.  And, the day wrapped up with a chilled glass of wine and cheese fondue.  My people know after this many years of not-so-subtle hints what Mama likes and they do everything in their power to make my day special.💓

And, because it has been at least a year since Reese broke any bones, she decided this would be a good time to add one to her tally.  Gymnastics in the backyard was the culprit this time, and I’m happy to report I only waited two days to take her to the doctor this time.  

(Update:  After the trip to the Urgent Care, where they told us her elbow was broken, and then 5 days in the temporary glass cast, we made it to see the pediatric orthopedic specialist who said the elbow was NOT in fact broken.  Great news!  She’ll have to keep on trying if she wants to keep up with her mother in the broken elbow department.  Sadly, with those double jointed arms, it’s only a matter of time…..)

May was a big month for my little lady.  He career in preschool was due to come to a close and she was soaking up every last minute with her fox friends at Little Blessings (not to be confused with Fox AND Friends on TV….over my dead body).  We had a bike rodeo as a little fundraiser, and in true Malory fashion, she worked outside of the box and rode her scooter.  #littlerebel

Next up was the graduation ceremony.  I actually got into a debate on Facebook (which I NEVER do) about the idea of continuation ceremonies and graduation ceremonies for kids….preschool, kindergarten, 5th grade.  This particular person thought that the demise of our nation was that we have overdone these continuation ceremonies for kids and that they should be allowed one and only one graduation ceremony….from high school.  I called the person a Scrooge and a Kill Joy and told him that I thought there was nothing wrong with celebrating a child’s milestones.  And then I posted this picture.

But, I digress.

Little Blessings had a fantastic and very touching program, and this Mama started crying before those little sweeties even belted out their first song.  Something about her being my last baby in preschool certainly made it worse, but I cried when the big kids graduated too.  It’s just so touching to me to see these precious souls getting ready to go out there and tackle the world.

I know this is a terrible picture, but I think it’s just so funny to see her up there at the exact moment she spotted her daddy in the audience.  He didn’t have the opportunity to take her to school very many times, so she was beyond thrilled to see him there.

After the ceremony, we had a little party for the kiddos, and this is what I contributed…..

I’m totally kidding, but is this not the most fantastic idea EVER?  Kill two birds with one stone, have dessert and get drunk at the same time.  A multi-tasker’s dream.

What I actually contributed were these Fox cupcakes, accompanied by a fondant fox made by Chef Jackson.  Malory was so proud of what he’d made for her and told all of her little friends how awesome her big brother is. 

Sending my Wonder Woman out to conquer Kindergarten. Go get ’em MJ!!

The month of May also brings about the Olympics for school-age children….Field Day!!  I’m sure I say this every time, but it’s not quite the same as it was when we were children because of the lack of competition.  But, I am happy to report that this year was a little bit different…..a little. 

There were some actual competitions where someone came in first and was declared the winner, followed by second, third and fourth place.  It’s good for them.  A little competitiveness is a good quality to develop in these kids, as is the ability to lose graciously.  And to cheer on and congratulate their friends when they get beat.

But, there were also these types of games…and I’m not sure who wins here😄