I was determined to get Xana some soccer cleats this past weekend. After her 2nd practice in a row without proper shoes, and I sporting the latest Colorado Rapids jersey, I felt I was letting her down by not getting her the appropriate gear. Mind you, this past weekend was a milestone of its own... Xana went to practice in a SKIRT... not a dress. Therefore, she was able to wear her team jersey. It's been progress from princess outfits and pink shoes to where we are today. It might be wishful thinking on my part that she'd even attempt to put cleats on her feet... Which is why my wife was so adamant that I try the consignment store first. Which I just have a hard time doing. I don't really know why, but I have the urge to get my daughter the latest/greatest cleats on the market. Yes she's only 4. Yes she'll grow out of them by next year. I can't help it! So while I was buying my OWN pair of soccer cleats this past week, I had them check on what they had in stock for 4 yr olds. How precious they are!!! And totally cool! Almost bought them on the spot until I heard my wife screaming in my head NO!!!! So, today, while at work, she texts me this picture. Success!!!!

Ferris Wheel at Lakeside Amusement Park

Neglect

Yes, it's been a while. Perhaps I could update some photos around here? Geesh.

The little Black book

At one time, I used a sketch book for sketching people. Then about 10 years ago this sketchbook turned into code... and sketches of layouts, buttons, interfaces. The past 6 months it changed again... floor plans. Am I getting more structured???;)

Finally, yesterday, I took a photo of our contractor's drawings for the house as it stands today. 30 minutes later I had a vector version I did in Photoshop. another 20 minutes later I had a floor plan for the new 2nd floor! Last night I redid the entire main floor, putting in appliances and cabinets. This morning I looked through a Kitchens and Baths magazine and those floor plans FINALLY mean something!



It's kinda addicting. What am I gonna do when we're done?

Enlarge original plan
Enlarge new main level plan
Enlarge new 2nd level plan

Bea learns to fly

Today was a warm and sunny day in Denver... perfect for a trip to the zoo with the girls on Daddy day. I felt Bea was finally big enough so we booked a ticket on the Radio Flyer Express! She loved it! She was wide eyed and looking all around. Doubt she saw too many animals from her height, but I enjoyed pulling her and Xana around the zoo.

We also got to enjoy a ride on the train and the carousel. A ride on the train was perfect timing, as it was time to feed Bea a bottle. Thinking I didn't have enough time to let her finish, I willed the train to stop... and sure enough, the ice and snow made it get stuck around turn 2! A few short minutes later and we once again moving, leaving plenty of time for Bea to finish and to enjoy the rest of the ride!

Define "sleep"...

According to the dictionary, sleep is defined as:

a condition of body and mind such as that which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.

But in my world it could more accurately be defined as:

that which you give up when you decide to have kids. A lighter form of consciousness typically disturbed every 1 - 1 1/2 hours consistently during the night. Usually accompanied by bumping into very large objects with small yet very loud noisemakers upon them. The throat is dry, eyes closed, and poorly timed urges to urinate.

I'd be willing to guess that my wife feels that she dreamed her first 30 years of sleeping. Because for all she's concerned, she hasn't 'slept' for over 2 years.

Our first daughter didn't sleep through the night until around 9 months. This wasn't too bad considering she started with 2 naps during the day for extended periods of time and eventually moved to a nice 3 hour nap mid-day. Knowing you will have 3 hours to catch up on some sleep is sometimes enough motivation to actually accomplish something during the day.

Along comes the 2nd daughter who somehow did not get the sleeping gene. Seriously, how can she go on 15 minute blinks? I can't really call them 'naps', she just temporarily lets her eyes shut. Then its WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA and WHO'S GONNA FEED ME NOW?

No wonder there are so many poems 'lamenting sleep'. I heart sleeping.

First sign of Autumn

The coming of Autumn hits me like spring fever. For a bit over a week now I've been thinking about October and Halloween... the greatest time of the year. I think it all started when Karen left a Halloween costume catalog out in the living room. It was a weekend morning and while I was feeding my youngest with one hand, I flipped through the pages with the other.

By the second page I was beginning to smell the leaves and the cooler October air. I think I even smelled the liquid from the smoke machine we use for Halloween. This got me thinking that not only will the oldest daughter be able to enjoy Halloween even more because of her age, but Bea will get to experience it for the very first time.

The fascination I have with Halloween I will save for another post. Right now I want to talk about Autumn and those first signs that Summer is finally ending.

We live in Colorado and this by all measures has been a pretty mild Summer with temperatures rarely hitting the 90s and I don't believe we've hit over 100° even once this year. This is a welcome change from the past several years of splintering heat that all but makes me comatose. My wife and I love Colorado but hate the heat of the summers... we are the type that leave the air-conditioning on in the winter.

Now, in the mornings there is a slight cool in the air. I'm starting to have more energy at the beginning of the day and when I get home from work, I'll still have energy to take the kids to the park, or at least walk around the neighborhood. Once the neighbors begin to decorate for Halloween, it should be fun to point out the various spooky creatures lurking on our route.

This morning had a chill in the air; it perks me up and lifts the Monday spirits. Stepping outside to go to work, I was greeted with fallen leaves and slight wind strong enough to brush them along the ground... causing that wonderfully familiar sound that means Autumn is almost here. The Radio Flyer, used barely a day ago, is filling with leaves as if it's collecting for our trip around town. The sun was lower, glistening through the trees a little more and I half expected the windowsheild of our Honda to have mist on it.

Welcome back Autumn... please hang around for a while would you?