Aquarium Revisted

Just sharing a few pictures from our latest trip to the Denver Downtown Aquarium.  Another fun day just strolling and getting to know this place even more.  This particular time it inspired some entrepreneurial spirit in the kids My A. decided that he wanted to own and be the manager of an aquarium himself.  Mr. J is going to be the head chef at the aquarium's distinguished restaurant- oddly enough serving fine sea food and cakes. Miss C is decidely going to be the chief Marine Biologist while the youngest of the family is the head of security.  Even now, weeks later, there are drawings and sketches of exhibits and sample menus covering their display boards though Mr. S continues to walk around with legal authority over all the happenings.
It is fun to pretend.  To imagine creating a world and your own future just the way you want to.   Miss C. even included that her children would be awesomely (her words) home schooled at the aquarium much like the girl in the movie, A Dolphin Tale.  Yeah... that would be so cool.

Horseback Riding

  She Loved her horse, Butter.

 the only view of me you get... see my foot? 

Miss C's old Girl Scout Troop was finally able to get together for a goodbye party to also use up some of their remaining funds.  They chose to go horseback riding.  It was her first time and she loved it. I am sure she will have lots to tell her new troop as she shares this adventure with them.  Maybe they will choose to do it too.

Tahosa Scout Ranch for Woodbadge in Sept and Oct

In Sept and October I experienced many firsts and learned many things about being a good leader with in the BSA's Scouting program through their Wood Badge training.  If you are a scout leader and haven't done this... it is totally worth it and just like they said I would, I wish I had done it years earlier.

I was so busy and so tired when I wasn't so busy that I didn't take hardly any pictures!  So this is what you get of Tahosa High Adventure Base this fall. 

I wish I had taken time to photograph more. But it was my first time sleeping alone in a tent.  I couldn't recall when I had ever slept by myself camping.  I learned a lot about cold weather camping too.  Though it was only at the beginning of cold weather camping.  I got a chuckle at how my husbands gets to go with our oldest to the Klondike this next year.  So glad I get to miss out on that.

I made a special effort to take a few moments there to just sit mindfully and take in the beauty around me. 

It isn't often that this mama gets to venture off into nature with out all the kids with me and it was a unique experience.
I would encourage you to not only take time to take the kids with you but perhaps... go out on an adventure just yourselves.

Just keep swimming....

We've been exploring the world of swimming around here.  Getting a membership to the local Gym and doing a crash course in mama led swimming so the oldest can earn his Swimming Merit Badge for Boy Scouts. 
I need to locate the laptop... and it is very unnerving to not know where it is. I do my main blogging on there since it is so easy to download pictures to. 
Anyhow... just wanted to pop in and say hi.  We are studying away and I guess I should learn to blog with out pictures.  I just think a post with no pictures is boring.

I have a few plans for this blog... I hope to show you soon.

The Month of August or was it September?

homemade donuts

The Raingutter Regatta

Fall Harvest at Miller Farms

The months of August and September flew by like a flash. In looking back at the pictures it all seems like a blur.  Especially the month of September.  Come to think of it, I think we went to Miller Farms on Sept 7th and that is partly why the month of September feels like a blur. I had back to back serious scout campout weekends and all the canning that needed to be done from that harvest from Miller farms.  The pumpkins are still waiting to be canned from there.  Good thing Pumpkins can wait... awhile... till I can get to them.

Under the homemade donuts pictures is the annual Raingutter Regatta.  Blow a boat along a rain gutter.  The boys had a great time.
There's at least a little sneak peak of the last two months... there's more. 

The Return of Scholar Season

Can you believe another month has slipped by.  Another month of days.   This past month has been one of simple contemplation.  Of pulling ourselves in.  A return to "Scholar Season."  When the weather cools, our family natural seems to return to the study with in doors.  And you can imagine that with Colorado weather the need for study comes and goes.  Perhaps it does that anyhow!

The days have cooled down and the leaves are crispy in the trees.  Many have changed colors and it has drawn us in.  I think lately I have just decided to say, "No" to most everything.  Even this week as a cold bug is inviting itself in between the family members, I cancelled everything.  Lets just stay home and drink in the simpleness of home.  We are keeping to ourselves and there are moments when the bickering begins that I regret that choice until you hear that book on CD put on and a pile of kids playing while listening, the big sibling making a bowl of something for a younger, or the endless parade of, "Mom, I wonder why...".  And we breathe.  I breathe a moment of simpleness.  It reminds me to be grateful for all that we have.

::  to embrace what we know to be the correct path for our family.
:: Little boys eager to take feed corn off the cob.
:: Kids learning to cook and then waking up to breakfast in bed.
:: the first fire in the fireplace for the fall.  Seasonal family traditions are so special.
:: The smells of stock bubbling on the stove that reminds me it is soup weather.  Welcome back!

See you soon.

Lost in the month of August.

Goodness... It has been nearly a month since I last posted.  August... I got lost somewhere in mid August.  We started our "structured time" homeschooling and well... that's where we've been.  Oh... and it is canning season.  I think that sums it up. It is nearly impossible to keep any sort of rhythm during canning season.  There are still a big bucket full of beets and pears to finish and well Scouts is sort of busting out all over the place. I have never canned so much in my life and quite frankly I can't wait till it is over.  But man... do my cupboards look so pretty. Canning jars filled with goodies always are. When I get it all organized and photo ready, I will show you.  But until it is done... it is a sort of crazy pretty.  I know I will love it and appreciate it come winter.  But until then....

Next up... the events of Wood Badge and The Denver Area Council Camporee coming up.  That means that I will have plenty to share.  So hold on... hopefully soon (though early next week). I can post a wrap up to our "Not Bummer Summer" and share with you all the happenings here in Colorado...  because there is just no time lately to head out to "The Beyond."  We are longing for California and anything in between.  Maybe this next year.  We miss the beach and the Redwoods something fierce.

Be back soon...  I hear Wood Badge calling my name.