Today we officially submitted all the necessary paperwork to choice Julia into an Academy District 20 elementary school. For those of you not familiar with the process, the entire city has a choice program, meaning you can choose to attend whatever public school you want as long as they have space and you are willing to make the commute. I very much agree with the concept because it introduces competition into the "marketplace" in terms of school performance.
We live near the crossroads of three major districts in town. So, although we would have to make the 10 minute drive to school every day, it's not a very far commute. The school we are looking at for Julia is on my way to and from work, as well as next to places we run errands and the YMCA, so it shouldn't add much driving to our day. Our first choice was Chinook Trail Elementary. It's a relatively new school and located in a newer, higher-end neighborhood.
We took a tour of our neighborhood school and Chinook Trail. Although our neighborhood school was OK, there was a pretty obvious difference between the two. The District 20 office and school staff were more responsive, the facility and environment was better, the other children that attended the school seemed happier and more well-adjusted - basically everything appeared to be better and a better environment for Julia. It's not surprising that test scores for the school are as high as any other elementary school in the state. Additionally, other factors like reviews online and feedback from a former teacher confirmed this as our top choice.
Now would be a good time to say that we're not "those type" of parents. We're not psychos about getting Julia into the best school possible or that we're in competition with others. It's really about getting Julia into the right environment for her to learn and grow. If there is a great school a few blocks away (and free), why wouldn't we choose to send her there? We also want her somewhere that will allow her to realize her potential and challenge her, not stifle her. We think this school will be a better fit for her.
We'll find out by April 1st if she was accepted. We feel confident given the numbers we know that she'll make it in. If not, we'll probably keep her at the school she's attending now at least for another year and try again.
19 February 2013
16 February 2013
Touch A Truck Video
Some footage of the kids having a great time at the event. Lots of running and jumping...
14 February 2013
Best Valentine's Day Card Ever
A text message from Stacey:
Jules keeps coming up to me, giving me kisses and lovies and telling me that I'm the best mom in the world. Then, she goes on to say that she has the best dad and the best brother in the world. I asked her why all the lovies and she said, "I don't know, I just love you guys."
Jules keeps coming up to me, giving me kisses and lovies and telling me that I'm the best mom in the world. Then, she goes on to say that she has the best dad and the best brother in the world. I asked her why all the lovies and she said, "I don't know, I just love you guys."
09 February 2013
Touch A Truck
This morning was the third annual Touch a Truck event. We had never heard of it until this year. The word spread quickly on Facebook so we decided to be there when it opened to avoid the big crowd. We stayed for two hours and by the time we left the place was packed.
The kids absolutely loved it. There were cars and trucks of every kind...construction vehicles, police cars and fire trucks, race cars...all parked and ready to be climbed on and around. It was fun for the adults too. Jonathan bumped his face when he tried to climb down a wheel well, but other then that he loved it.
We saw a total of about 10 people that we knew, including classmates of Julia's, so it was quite the place to be this Saturday morning. The event was definitely kid and Grandma approved.
The kids absolutely loved it. There were cars and trucks of every kind...construction vehicles, police cars and fire trucks, race cars...all parked and ready to be climbed on and around. It was fun for the adults too. Jonathan bumped his face when he tried to climb down a wheel well, but other then that he loved it.
We saw a total of about 10 people that we knew, including classmates of Julia's, so it was quite the place to be this Saturday morning. The event was definitely kid and Grandma approved.
06 February 2013
Hidden Camera
Jonathan being a monkey at 5 a.m.
Julia and Freckles taking a nap
The kids getting fresh air and cold - cuddling for warmth
Julia and Freckles taking a nap
The kids getting fresh air and cold - cuddling for warmth
31 January 2013
29 January 2013
27 January 2013
Cabin Fever
We pretty much picked the perfect weekend to spend at the cabin with my parents.
The day was warm and calm and at night we got a little bit of snow. Although I don't have any pictures of the pond, we spent most of our time outside playing on its frozen surface. I learned how to use the ATV's plow to clear the snow off of the pond so we could pull the kids in a sled on it, ice skate, and have some hockey fun. The kids favorite game was for me to pull them as fast as I could in the sled with my hockey skates and whip them around the ice at the end of the run. My legs are tired.
Late Saturday afternoon was the perfect time to burn the growth my dad had cleared earlier in the year. The wind was calm and we had snow all around the fire pit. The kids liked the fire even though it was hot. Initially, the flames went up about 15 feet into the air. It eventually burned itself down into a really nice fire. I spent some time alone outside after dark tending to the fire. It was relaxing.
The kids slept well after the big weekend playing in the snow. I really enjoyed the time outside and being able to have some fun after a long week at work. It's rare in Colorado these days to be able to ice skate outside on a pond and have a bonfire afterwards.
The day was warm and calm and at night we got a little bit of snow. Although I don't have any pictures of the pond, we spent most of our time outside playing on its frozen surface. I learned how to use the ATV's plow to clear the snow off of the pond so we could pull the kids in a sled on it, ice skate, and have some hockey fun. The kids favorite game was for me to pull them as fast as I could in the sled with my hockey skates and whip them around the ice at the end of the run. My legs are tired.
Late Saturday afternoon was the perfect time to burn the growth my dad had cleared earlier in the year. The wind was calm and we had snow all around the fire pit. The kids liked the fire even though it was hot. Initially, the flames went up about 15 feet into the air. It eventually burned itself down into a really nice fire. I spent some time alone outside after dark tending to the fire. It was relaxing.
The kids slept well after the big weekend playing in the snow. I really enjoyed the time outside and being able to have some fun after a long week at work. It's rare in Colorado these days to be able to ice skate outside on a pond and have a bonfire afterwards.
21 January 2013
Fireplace Trim
As Jonathan would say, "Ah dun"!
The winter months are always a good time to do these sort of projects. I wasn't planning on doing this so soon, but a week or so ago I found a "mantel" at Lowe's that fit our space exactly. It was exactly the right length to cover the existing tile and the depth worked well too. We didn't want a true shelf because it would stick out too far for the space. I think the mantel is really supposed to be a door or window capstone, but I doubt anyone will know the difference.
I used a few nails, a few staples, and a lot of adhesive, depending on the area. The nails worked well where I could go into the wall, the staples for the trim on top of other trim (staples aren't as long), and then adhesive on everything that had tile behind it. I had to do a lot of thinking about the best way to cover up the cheap brass around the edges of the tile. You'll notice that I brought the face out a little bit and placed a small trim along the outside edge to cover that up. Around the inside I added some more trim, although technically not to code. It could easily be removed and might be accidentally by the kids anyway.
The vents and screen were spray painted with a satin black that can withstand heat to cover up the rest of the brass. I used the same Sherwin-Williams paint that matches the rest of our house trim. It's great paint - probably the best there is.
It feels good to be done with the trim projects on the main level. I'll next move upstairs with my projects. This winter I'd like to finish up the laundry room for Stacey. It needs paint and a few functional additions.
The winter months are always a good time to do these sort of projects. I wasn't planning on doing this so soon, but a week or so ago I found a "mantel" at Lowe's that fit our space exactly. It was exactly the right length to cover the existing tile and the depth worked well too. We didn't want a true shelf because it would stick out too far for the space. I think the mantel is really supposed to be a door or window capstone, but I doubt anyone will know the difference.
I used a few nails, a few staples, and a lot of adhesive, depending on the area. The nails worked well where I could go into the wall, the staples for the trim on top of other trim (staples aren't as long), and then adhesive on everything that had tile behind it. I had to do a lot of thinking about the best way to cover up the cheap brass around the edges of the tile. You'll notice that I brought the face out a little bit and placed a small trim along the outside edge to cover that up. Around the inside I added some more trim, although technically not to code. It could easily be removed and might be accidentally by the kids anyway.
The vents and screen were spray painted with a satin black that can withstand heat to cover up the rest of the brass. I used the same Sherwin-Williams paint that matches the rest of our house trim. It's great paint - probably the best there is.
It feels good to be done with the trim projects on the main level. I'll next move upstairs with my projects. This winter I'd like to finish up the laundry room for Stacey. It needs paint and a few functional additions.
18 January 2013
Life's Good
It only took Jonathan a few weeks after being transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed to make a habit of sleeping on the floor by his door. Typically, Stacey puts him to bed and then for a good 30 to 60 minutes afterwards he calls for her from under his door. Life's just too fun to go to sleep, especially when you can still see it happening with one eye ball.
Eventually he gives up and usually falls asleep in that same spot. It makes going into his room to hook him up interesting, but once he falls asleep he goes right back down even if the door pushes him enough out of the way for us to slide in.
Yesterday he fell asleep in my truck while I was running errands. I transitioned him from his car seat to his bed, but then a few minutes later he started calling for me. I thought he was just trying to get up, so I ate my lunch. He didn't give up, so I had to go into his room to find out what the problem was. As soon as I entered he pointed to his shoes. I had purposely not taken them off because I didn't want to wake him, but apparently it was a deal breaker. As soon as I took them off he told said thank you and then went back to sleep. At least it was in his bed.
Eventually he gives up and usually falls asleep in that same spot. It makes going into his room to hook him up interesting, but once he falls asleep he goes right back down even if the door pushes him enough out of the way for us to slide in.
Yesterday he fell asleep in my truck while I was running errands. I transitioned him from his car seat to his bed, but then a few minutes later he started calling for me. I thought he was just trying to get up, so I ate my lunch. He didn't give up, so I had to go into his room to find out what the problem was. As soon as I entered he pointed to his shoes. I had purposely not taken them off because I didn't want to wake him, but apparently it was a deal breaker. As soon as I took them off he told said thank you and then went back to sleep. At least it was in his bed.
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