Happy 12th Birthday, Hadley!

Dear Hadley,

Turning 12 is a big year! You will be leaving Primary (the children’s organization at church) and joining the ranks of Young Women as you start start middle school in a completely new state. This isn’t for the faint of heart but if you’ve shown me anything during sixth grade, it’s that you will prevail. Following your hellacious year of minimal learning at your previous school, you have risen to the challenge with your awesomely supportive teacher, Mrs. McLean. You started in the lowest reading group and rose to the highest, something your teacher says has never seen happen.

During our latest parent-teacher, I wish I could have recorded her glowing report of your fun personality, your growth in learning the computer, becoming a beautiful writer, improving your spelling and how you’ve become a sponge for learning. She pulled you aside to tell you that you are the most improved in writing and reading in the class and maybe even your whole grade.  Sure, you’ll always struggle in certain areas (MATH) but my gosh, you’ve proven when you set your mind to something, you can do it! You’re fun, well-liked but not caught up in the girl drama at school so here’s for hoping you stay far, far away from that.

Sixth grade was the year of climbing and conquering mountains–and I’m not just talking about  Mount Sherman, your first 14er last summer. You have the most wonderful friends while making new ones along the way. Last summer, you thrived at Camp Chief Ouray, learned to surf at the lakehouse in B.C., skied your first double-black diamond run at Sunlight Mountain Resort and had the time of your life at Outdoor Lab Windy Peak for a week with your class. You were nominated by your teachers to attend High Achieving Week for the arts at Mount Evans Outdoor Lab in June and you are thrilled to share that incredible experience with two of your besties, Alex and Ellie.

Falconry

Our obsession with The Broadmoor continues and you fell in love with Falconry as well as conquered their zipline course at Seven Falls while channeling your inner Merida in archery.  We are thrilled to be able to spend Memorial Day there and I’m sure you will out-eat us all at their famous brunch. You are a girl of many talents and carb-stuffing without gaining weight is one of yours (embrace that gift while you have it).

I’m so proud you finished your Faith in God award in Primary and will attend not one but two Young Women Girl’s Camps this summer: One in Colorado and the other in our new ward.  Though you were sad when we told you about our move to Midway, you have fully embraced this new adventure and are designing your new room. During our visit to Midway over Spring Break, you were fortunate to be able to meet the girls during a YW sleepover and fit right in. You were hopeful our move meant you could finally quit piano (nice job on your first duet with your brother) so I had a good laugh when, upon meeting our new neighbor, we learned she would be delighted to teach piano. You call that being cursed. I call that serendipity!

You continue to grow in the arts and you can make anything beautiful. You love painting with acrylic paints on canvas and your new hobby is an expensive one. Fortunately now that you’re 12 you can start babysitting, an occupation not exactly endearing to you because, like me, you’re “not exactly a baby person.” But don’t worry–there are plenty of babysitting opps without babies and I have no doubt once you get paid for the first time, you’ll never look back. And neither will your painting obsession.

Today is the last day of school and you are delighted to spend the morning in the park with your sixth grade friends playing games and signing yearbooks. This afternoon, we will have a Gallery on the Go painting party and your main gift that you requested is a pair of UGGS. And by main, I mean only. Have you seen the cost of those things?

I’m more of an “experience” giver vs. material possessions so as a special birthday experience, I pulled you out of school early last week to go to the Ritz-Carlton Denver where you were delighted to indulge in your first ever spa day, complete with a facial, mani and pedi. I had to stifle my laughter during your facial because you take after your dad who relishes every blissful moment when he gets a massage. When I asked what you thought of your first facial as you still relaxed on the massage table, you groggily announced, ”I feel heavy.” I replied, ”Heavy? Do you mean from all the blankets?” ”No, Mom. Heavy like gravity is pulling me down telling me not to move ever again.” My apologies to your future husband that your spa obsession started at such an early age.

First 14er!

We’ve had plenty of amazing adventures this year: Previewing “Season of the Force” at Disneyland, doing the Kids Adventure Games where you were a mountain biking, rappelling, ziplining, slip ‘n sliding fool, countless hikes and awesome local roadtrips. Though you resist going on our regular hikes and walks (it’s a tween thing?) you are the one who gets lost in the wonder of it all the moment you set foot on the trail.  I hope you’ll always love the outdoors and know that your Heavenly Father loves you and that with His help, you can accomplish anything.

In sixth grade, every child is spotlighted during a week of the year. As a part of that, parents are given the option to write a letter to be read aloud in class, the prospect of which mortified you but further solidified my resolve to do it.

March 17, 2016

Dear Hadley,

Despite the fact that you threatened me if I dared submit a letter in honor of your shining star, here I am because I am a risk taker.

Sixth grade has been wonderful as you transferred back to Vanderhoof, had the best teacher ever (wink, wink) and made some awesome friends. I’ve admired your hard work in so many areas–from getting caught up on your schoolwork to climbing your first 14,000-foot peak to skiing your first double-black diamond run to finally landing a front flip on the trampoline (this is such a relief after we’ve all endured many years of your sorry-excuse-for-a-somersault).

As you know, I have been writing you a letter on every birthday since you were born. Now that you’re in sixth grade, I thought I’d highlight a few of my favorite moments from your earlier years that I documented in those letters.

Pre-birth. You have been controlling us from the womb. It was 10 days before my due date and Dad was stressed about work. He told you “Hadley, if you’re born tomorrow, I will buy you a car on your 16th birthday.” The next morning, I went into early labor, you made my water break in very public Booth No. 3 at Einstein Bros. Bagels at noon (thanks for that) and you were born that night by 11 p.m.

Age 2. You were a child prodigy when it came to dancing and singing at story-time at the library. Your favorites included “Shake Your Sillies Out” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” the latter of which you knew by heart. The younger children watched you in awe and just to be nice, you often went over and forcibly “helped” them do the actions. Because they were obviously too dumb to figure it out for themselves.

Age 4. You have a bright, spirited personality and keep us laughing every single day. You are beloved by your preschool teachers and would have had an incident-free year if you had not tackled your classmate Cooper a few weeks ago, who in your defense, hit you over the head with a large loaf of plastic bread. This was your first look at how carbs can be dangerous.

9News Segment

Age 6. One of my very favorite memories of you ever was on our mother-daughter trip to Puerto Rico. In the evenings at our hotel, you loved to hit the dance floor. You’ve inherited my lack of rhythm but that did not hold you back. Hair and arms flailing, you rocked out to the music, causing everyone around you to stop and marvel.

Another mom on the trip tried to urge her reluctant daughter to join you. “But I can never look as good as Hadley out there!” she protested. I looked at her incredulously. She obviously wasn’t really seeing you.

Or was she?

Through her eyes, you were a self-confident, hilarious and fearless girl who didn’t care what you looked like or what anyone thought of you. You were simply lost in the moment and living it to the very fullest you knew how. This quality is what makes you special…and unstoppable. Whether you someday conquer Everest or if you’re dancing by yourself, one thing is certain: you will always fly.

Love,
Muzz Buzz Buzzy Buzz Buzzy Buzz Boo

P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, read letters for your 11th birthday10th, 9th 8th7th6th5th4th3rd2nd and your birth story.

Summiting strenuous Ha Ling

Kids Adventure Games

Camping at Brainard Lake

Halloween Party

Maxwell Falls hike

Lake Louise, Canada

Waterton Lakes National Park

Disneyland

First place!

12th Birthday Spa Day at the Ritz

Happy birthday to My Rick Savage!

Jamie turns really Old today. I can’t tell you just how old because he reminded me how old I’ll be turning and it’s super closer to his oldness. Old.

But I’m so happy to have this guy in my life.  I asked the kids and here are the Top 10 reasons we think he’s awesome:

10. “He wrestles and likes to torture us.” -Hadley. Mom editor’s note: someone usually ends up with a foot in the face and crying. But I guess that’s fun?

9.  He’s funny. He has a subtle humor but that man can deliver the funniest zingers.

8. He’s hard-working. He’s a great provider and spends so much of his time building his successful web development business. Note: Honey, you need to come play more.

7. We get each other. If you were to meet the two of us, you would think we’re alike at all. But we have a very similar take and perspective on life and parenting…and rarely do we have conflicts on our opinions. Note: pumpkins, driving directions and the History Channel notwithstanding.

6. He’s kind and likable. I mean, really likable. I guess because I sometimes dated guys who were misunderstood or didn’t always click with others that I appreciate this quality even more. When someone new meets Jamie, they always like him.

5. He’s faithful and takes his priesthood responsibilities seriously.

4. “Usually he treats me really respectfully. He’s a good listener and really fun. I like having boy’s nights out.” -Bode

3. He’s supportive. I’m always concocting some crazy scheme and he goes along with it or tells me just how crazy it is (and rightly so).

2.  ”I like when he lets me bite his eyelids to wake up.” -Fat Kitty

1.5 He’s not a whiner. He has been and continues to go through some tough times and rarely complains.

1. He’s mine.

Happy birthday, Jamie. So grateful to be #13YearsYours.

The cursed birthday

It’s not really Jamie’s fault for being born in the worst month of the year. December. I mean with all of Christmas and New Year’s revelries, who has time to celebrate birthdays, particularly at the beginning of the month when you’re too busy preparing for it all?

Jamie has often complained the rest of us get memorable birthdays. For the last few years, Hadley has gone to The Broadmoor (her birthday is around Memorial Day) and Bode is at the lakehouse in Canada (summer). My birthday usually falls over President’s Day and last year we went to Aspen.

But December 9. Who has time to travel, play or even breathe?

Related: Jamie enjoys listening to our kids play the piano but recitals are tedious for him. I can hardly place blame–1.5 hours of listening to other people’s kids, only to have a brief 5-minute interlude with your own. I personally enjoy them because most of the kids are friends from church so I’m super invested in their success as well.

But this year was going to be different. We vowed to have FUN on Jamie’s birthday! So imagine how thrilled he was when we received a save-the-date from our piano teacher Kendra for the Christmas recital…on his birthday. I forwarded him the email with the following:

“Forget The Broadmoor. Forget Canada and Aspen. Just how you wanted to spend your birthday.”

His response: “Kendra Hates Me.”

Happy 9th birthday Bode!

Bode Boy,

Happy birthday! Your eighth year of life has been all about Four Square, BYU’s Studio C comedy troupe, Clash of Clans and training for American Ninja Warrior (ANW) as the entire world has become your obstacle course. Why walk up the stairs when you can shimmy along the walls? I don’t know the answer but apparently you do.

Third grade has been the best year ever because your three closest buddies–Nicky, Curtis and Kyler–are together for the first time. You’re continuing to excel in math, computers and accumulating Star Awards (the school’s recognition awards). You love piano  and Sister Mauger is not only your piano teacher but also your Cub Scout Wolf leader. You’ve delved into Scouting as I knew you would–what could be better than hanging out with your buddies and getting dirty?  You quickly earned your Bobcat Rank and Grandma and Grandpa J. came from Utah to see you early your Wolf. Apologies for taking almost a year to sew on your badges; we can’t all be Scouting overachievers.

You just finished your eighth season playing soccer and I love picking you up after practice, flush with excitement. You are a true team player–rarely out for your own glory and the best passer on the team because when you’re able to make a friend successful, that is your success. Your coach paid you a nice compliment, saying “Bode is the only kid who can listen to the advice I’m giving and implement it right away” so here’s for hoping that translates into chores at home. But I can’t complain. You’re a pleaser and when I have to remind you to do something, it’s because you got caught up playing or just didn’t hear me. Apologies to your future wife: you have already perfected the art of Selective Hearing.

You’ve become quite the pumpkin grower and yours clocked in at 325 pounds. I chuckled when I found you at the weigh-off mingling with the crowd, answering questions about your growing techniques. In the future when I have to pinpoint the exact moment your life started going downhill, that was it.

I appreciate how silly, easy-going and responsible you are–I can always trust you to make good, cautious choices. And that’s why you have a mother like me to constantly push you out of your comfort zone. When we were at The Broadmoor, you went rock climbing for the first time (not on some wussy indoor wall). You were so dang nervous but after channeling Mount Midoriyama from ANW, you practically flew up and down that rock face in Garden of the Gods. When I took you mountain biking in Moab, you overcame your fears on some pretty tough terrain and pushed forward long after Hadley had turned back. And this winter at Buttermilk, you skied your first black-diamond (advanced) run and it won’t be long before you’re leaving Mom and Dad in your (white powder) dust.

We’ve had some awesome travels this year. Canada. Mexico. Aspen. Crested Butte. Utah. Even though you enjoy the finer things in life (who doesn’t), when it comes down to it, you’re happiest with the simple things. After spending a few pampered days at The Broadmoor, it was as we were snuggling in the basement watching a movie that you said “Snuggles. Family. A Movie and Apple Pie. There’s nothing better in the world than this.”

Mother-son trip to Beaver Creek

I couldn’t agree with you more, except maybe room and chef service would have been a nice addition. Side note: You’re pretty famous at The Broadmoor as your Emerald Valley “selfie” was published in their magazine. Talk about a legend!

One of our funny-not-funny experiences was when I took you on our First Annual Mother-Son Ski Trip. We had a glorious first night: We checked into the Westin, skied down Beaver Creek with our glow lights in their torchlight parade and dined fireside. And then you got sick so we went home early. But no worries–we rescheduled our vacation over Spring Break. The night before we were supposed to leave as a family, Hadley got the stomach flu so you and Mom left, with the plan that Dad and Hadley would join us when she was feeling better. We had a glorious first night: We checked into the Westin and had a delicious steak dinner at the Beaver Creek Chophouse. Then, it was like a bad nightmare all over again when you threw up that night and we spent the rest of the next day recovering in our fancy hotel room. I demand a redo for next year! For the skiing, not the getting sick; we already redid that twice in a row.

Panty-hose balloon hat

My most treasured time with you is nighttime snuggles in your bed where we just lie there looking at the glow-in-the-dark stars and download our day. Sometimes we’re silly, like when you suggested we play Telephone with your stuffed animals. I started with “Mammoth smells like Fat Kitty,” which they passed along without a hiccup until that silly Orangy the Cat whispered, “Mammoth smells like poop,” sending us into gales of laughter. I treasure the serious times, too when you share your anxieties, usually around finishing your school work and doing your very best. You are driven and it stresses you out to no end when you are not performing at the top of your class. I appreciate that you’re learning early to pour your heart out to Heavenly Father for help and getting baptized was one of the highlights of your year.

As I write this, you are celebrating birthday No. 9 at Lake Okanogan in British Columbia. With Timbits. And family. What could be better? Oh yeah room service and a personal chef. Oh wait. That’s me. I’m so happy to have you as a part of our family.

Love,
Mom
P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, see birthday letters 1, 2, 3, 4 56, and 7, and 8.


Mrs. Acosta

Pinewood Derby

School buddies

A Mother of the Year-worthy Gift

I’ve been feeling lukewarm about birthday parties for my kids this year. I’ll only occasionally one to throw over-the-top fetes–sometimes simple is best so with my daughter turning 11, I hinted maybe it was time to forgo the big bash. She was horrified. It turns out you need to give a kid at least a year’s advanced notice because they spend the entire 364 days plotting it.

I finally relented with a casual spa / PJ/  ebelskiver party and she invited 10 of her closest friends.  If you haven’t been around tweens, there is a lot of giggling and silliness. The facials hadn’t even started yet and already, her friend (on the left) was covered in whipped cream.

The Spa

We crafted our own natural facial recipes and the girls had a blast giving each other face and shoulder massages before our summer pedicures. Related: I threatened Hadley’s little brother and friend that if they didn’t stop bugging the girls, they’d have to give them all foot massages. Not coincidentally we didn’t see them for the rest of the party.

With the boys out of the picture, we relaxed and focused on breathing techniques as Enya crooned in the background. Though I’ve known most of these girls since they were babies, I could not identify them in a line-up.

Nor would I want to.

My daughter somehow worked it to have two friends massaging her at the same time.


I guess that’s how you roll when you’re the birthday girl.

The Explosive Fail

We made a sub-par attempt at a Diet Coke  explosion in the middle of the road (who knew you had to dump all the Mentos in ASAP?)

I’m sure our neighbors thought was a fantastic way to wake up on the first official day of summer.

And some trampoline time.

It looks like a seance but it was some game about their future boyfriends. Heaven help us all.

The Best Birthday Surprise

A huge package had arrived the day before on our doorstep with a cryptic note:

Dear Hadley,

Don’t open until your party.

Love, J.B.

J.B.? Who was J.B.? For 24 hours, Hadley agonized over its contents, huddling with her friends once they arrived at the party. Could it be a secret admirer? An amazing gift that would be the envy of them all?

None of the above. It was a special “gift” I found at ARC Thrift Store and decided to have fun with it. I wrapped it in a beautiful bag, found six boxes in successive sizes and wrapped each in duct tape, to produce one huge present.

She saved it for the very last and her friends were bursting with excitement. “I’m sure it’s gotta be a cell phone,” her friend Kasey proposed. Rest assured, I work in social media and my kids will be the last of their friends to get one.

Suspense grew and finally, she had the final box and the big reveal of just what she’d always wanted: (Drumroll, please)

A Justin Bieber T-shirt. 

The room erupted as hilarious Hadley raced around the corner and dumped it in the toilet.

Being the nice mom that I am, I later rescued the rock star, laundered him up squeaky clean and surprised her yet with “J.B.” a.k.a. Justin Bieber on her pillow that night.

Me thinks he will be the gift that keeps on giving (and reappearing) for years to come.

Girl’s Day and Night Out!

I was recently invited to AILLEA, a new boutique that provides 100 percent safe, non-toxic beauty products  so I decided to make an afternoon of it. It was a week before Hadley’s birthday and I asked her if she wanted to have a mom-daughter makeover. As a girl on the cusp of wearing make-up–and in dire need of some skincare advice–she was thrilled. How often do we have a day of pampering?

I was expecting to have a mini-makeover and be done with it but  the owner Kathryn opened my eyes to just how harmful and full of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, endocrine disruptors and other toxic chemicals our make-up and lotions truly are. Talk about a wake-up call!!

AILLEA is located the hippest part of downtown, Larimer Square, and when we walked out of the store that Friday afternoon, we noticed Lincoln had setup a booth.

“Would you like to test-drive the new Lincoln MKZ?”

“What’s the catch?”

“No catch. We want people to experience our new luxury model, fill out a brief survey and we’ll give you a $25 VISA gift card.”

Post-makeover test drive. Notice our glowing skin?

Since we were “yes” girls, we hopped in that Lincoln faster that you can say “Matthew McConaughey” (who drives them in the commercials). It was a simple spin around the block and $25 later, we wondered what we should do with the money. Hadley has never been to the Cheesecake Factory so we blew our spoils there with a ginormous piece of Dulce de Leche Cheesecake and paid it forward with a huge tip for our awesome waitress. Best. Girls. Day. Ever.

Our spoils from Aillea

And it was only just beginning! It was our stake’s annual father-son camp-out for the Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration so Bode and Jamie were heading to the mountains with their buddies. Hadley and I started Girls Day Part II by hiking Matthews Winters with my besties Lisa, Jenn and their daughters.
I had to include that last unflattering shot of Jenn and me because we share the same disturbing expression.

We grabbed dinner at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and somehow the talk turned to scary movies. Hadley has never seen one and has been moderately obsessed with “Watcher in the Woods,” a movie that haunted me for years as a kid but is a good “first scary movie” for kids. We decided it was time. Jenn and Sadie (our neighbors) changed into their PJs and met us in our dark basement for Girls Night Part III.

Were they scared? A bit. But Hadley mostly made fun of me for being freaked out by it.

I see Poltergeist in her future. Then again, I’m not watching that again.

 

3rd Annual Birthday Celebration at The Broadmoor

This was Hadley’s third birthday we’ve celebrated at The Broadmoor, which means it’s a tradition, right?  While my previous trip was a working vacation for my write-up about Broadmoor Outfitters, this one was all relaxation and play.

PLAY

We started with bowling and delicious food at their high-end alley PLAY. Something you should know about the boys: they’re sore losers and were grumpy that Hadley and I started out strong.  Of course, we didn’t rub that in one bit.

 

Everyone had a strike near the end of the game except for Bode. He grabbed Hadley’s jacket and bowling ball and, with it awkwardly tucked under his arm, he chucked the ball down the alley. We tried to stop him…until we realized he had just bowled his first strike. I’m not sure what to make of that other than maybe having her vicariously closer to him was like a security blanket?

Fly Fishing

Usually, we spend a good portion of our day lounging poolside but with Colorado’s rainy weather, we had to get creative. We played a lot of heated Checkers matches in the lobby and teamed up with Broadmoor Outfitters for a  fly fishing expedition at the Lake House. This Adirondack-style lodge is adjacent to a scenic lake stocked with carp, rainbow and brown trout on one of the resort’s famous golf courses.

We had only fly fished once before at The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley a couple of years ago so we welcomed our guide Tyler’s expertise. As he was just about to explain how to strip the line to reel in the fish, he got a bite and was able to not only explain but show us how to do it. The guides are just that good. And so are the views. Can you see the deer on the shore just behind Bode?

The fish must have received the memo it was Hadley’s birthday because she was reeling them in like crazy! Jamie and I had quick success as well but then there was poor Bode who couldn’t even get a nibble. We’d have him switch places to where Hadley was finding all the fish and he’d get nothing while Hadley would catch them in his previous spot. With rain clouds about to burst, he’d about reached his breaking point when I uttered my first fisherwoman’s prayer: “Dear Lord, if you’re listening and able, could you please help The Boy catch a fish?”

Within a minute, he caught one hook, line and sinker. Turns out fisherwoman’s prayers really work.

The Others

We were pleased that The Broadmoor opened a game room specifically for Memorial Day weekend and we had a fun playing ping pong, air hockey, bean bag toss and foosball. This photo was supposed to be representative of Hadley and Bode learning to play pool.

But really, it’s all about Jamie’s photobomb.

And even though the Memorial Day carnival was moved indoors due to the weather, the kids had a blast.

Who am I kidding? We all had a blast going down that slide and launching into the pit.

We had a brief window of sunshine on Saturday so we swam.

Or rather, the kids did. It was still a blustery 50 degrees so Jamie and I joined the other lame, fully-clothed parents on the chaises while a small a handful of hearty kids played.

Later that afternoon, we stopped at the resort’s eco-chic eatery Natural Epicurean that features organic food. How often do you have the chance to eat healthy desserts that look like this?

We were so nice that even though Jamie didn’t join us, we ordered an extra treat. P.S. Don’t tell him that.

Believe me, we weren’t lacking in food. One night, we ate at Ristorante Del Lago, the resort’s newish Italian restaurant inspired by a luxurious villa in Lake Como. It was there that I informed Bode “Did you know if you can tie that maraschino cherry stem with our tongue, that means you’ll be a good French kisser?”

He’ll never order a Shirley Temple again.

As we lounged fireside after dinner, the kids played tag with Jamie and roasted s’mores. I am 100 percent grateful every time we’re privy to The Good Life and observed, “I know we’ve had an amazing day but just remember that money doesn’t buy happiness.”  Hadley responded: “Could have fooled me.”


Note to self: Save life lessons for when they are not currently in the moment.

The Brunch

The Broadmoor’s brunch is, hands down, our favorite part of every trip with more than 150 enticing choices alongside sculpted ice and live piano music. Jamie ensured he was first in front of what he deemed “the gateway to heaven.”

Now I know what the pearly gates look like. At least there won’t be all the calories in heaven, RIGHT?

We all enjoy the brunch but Hadley LOVES it and eats more than any of us with favorites being the pastries, breads and bananas foster.

This picture is very telling of our brunch experience:

Hadley is in sheer bliss, Bode (my pleaser) is posing but really thinking “hurry up and take the picture so I can get some more food” while Jamie has a mouthful of it.

Hiking

I always wake up at dawn to hike North Cheyenne Cañon by myself and this time, I was so overwhelmed with its forested red-rock beauty (it’s one of my Top 10 Hikes Ever), I did a second trip with the family. The Broadmoor offers a free shuttle to the Starsmore Discovery Center at the mouth of the canyon.

If you’re going to build a nature center, I highly suggest you do it in this beautiful setting.

The Birthday Girl

Hadley’s birthday fell on Memorial Day so she requested a room service breakfast of Belgian waffles and we were happy to oblige.

For presents, we bought her some clothes, a weaving loom, the Maze Runner movie and book series, some drawing paper and sweet Bode gave her a purse he had woven in art class.

I’ve long wanted to climb the Manitou Incline a.k.a. The Holy Grail of Cardio, which gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation over less than 1 mile. Hadley agreed to do it with me and it was to be our day of triumph!!  Until it wasn’t. You see, the Incline is one of the most unique and challenging trails in the country, attracting runners, Olympic athletes and cyclists from around the world. By the time we arrived at 10 a.m., the base area was a madhouse. We circled around for 45 minutes trying to find parking before finally driving down the mountain and parking in town. The problem: what comes down must go back up so we had to trek about a mile to even get to the start of the Incline. By then, I could tell Hadley wasn’t doing very well, complaining that her throat hurt.

“Let’s just hike a little bit and see how you’re feeling.”

It was steeeeeeeeep. Could we have done it? Sure. Hadley is in great shape after training for a Pentathlon all year and while I’m not where I was physically at this time last year, I could have toughed it out. But after climbing 1/5 of the way up, she looked miserable. If it wasn’t her birthday, I would have pushed her farther but I’m glad I didn’t–she spent the next day in bed with a cold.

At that moment, I noticed the sun was shining for the first time. “Here’s a plan, Hadley. Why don’t we race back to The Broadmoor, hit the pool, order lunch and strawberry milkshakes before going home?”

If there’s a way to salvage a birthday, that is it.

 

 

Happy 11th birthday letter to Hadley!

Dearest Hadley,

If I had two words to describe your 10th year of life, they would be GROWTH SPURT. You’ve always been tall but you hit puberty and shot up this year–you’re almost a full head taller than your friends and the second tallest kid in your class. I bought you size 5 running shoes several months ago and you complained they no longer fit. Assuming you were melodramatic, I procrastinated replacing them but imagine how badly I felt to learn you jumped up to a women’s size 8 shoe!

At Cinderella

You’ve had a wonderful, complicated year as a fifth grader and will sadly be leaving your beloved Waldorf school.

But it hasn’t been all bad. Having a teacher who can’t organize and manage your high-spirited class has perks like lack of accountability and non-stop chaos! The silver lining is the interventionist at your new school quickly determined you are a visual-spatial learner a.k.a. a “topsy-turvy kid” and it has opened up a new world of understanding and resources about how to help you succeed as a whimsical right-brained thinker among boring left-brained losers.

This also explains why you dominate me in every craft and art form known to (wo)man. You have a gift of making your surroundings beautiful. When I clipped some lilacs from our bush, I unceremoniously plopped them in a glass. You took the time to rifle through our China cabinet and find an ornate glass that doubled as a vase.

Before bedtime, you like to wind down at night by drawing magnificent landscapes and animals. One time, you were bored and didn’t know what to draw until you saw a cookbook Grandma B. had sent you so you spent the night etching mousse and seven-layer cakes. I hope your next endeavor will be cooking them and I’m happy you inherited another trait from your dad’s side of the family. I think it’s called a metabolism.

Thanks to your bestie London at school, you sang and danced in your first real play as Annette Funecillo in all her pink-eared Mousekeeteer glory. You also performed in your class play but had one of those blasted Sirens (mythological creatures that lured sailers to their death) lure you away and straight into a pole. You showed us that boring Greek Mythology is worthy of America’s Funniest Home Videos. 

You had a blast at overnight Camp Chief Ouray and are ecstatic to return to horseback ride for your third summer. You love volleyball, Fat Kitty, Clash of Clans, Harry Potter, carbs, swimming, your new queen-sized bed, leggings that double as pants (side note: they DON’T), The Broadmoor brrnch, pumpkin growing (within reason), travel, your church friends, wakeboarding and playing on our new trampoline even though gymnastics ain’t your forté. Congratulations on finally (kind of) mastering a somersault.

You thrive in the outdoors and though you complain when we drag you out, we can’t reel you back in to leave because you’re truly in your element. You’re in excellent shape after training for the multi-school Pentathlon the entire year and placed 1st in sprints, 2nd in the long-distance run and continue to dominate Bode daily in Greek Wrestling. It is your goal is to climb your first 14er (14,000-foot peak) this summer. There’s no question you’ll be ready but the bigger question is can your old, beleaguered parents keep up with you?

When I asked you the highlight of your year, you always turn to our travels and cited “Mexico,” followed by Canada, Utah and multiple ski trips that included Aspen, Crested Butte and Copper Mountain.

You love BYU TV’s sketch comedy troop Studio C and are developing a wicked sense of humor with impeccable timing–could improv be in your future?  Many of your friends and brother are tender, sensitive souls while you are a hilarious, bold, immutable spirit. You have no idea what you want to be when you grow up, but one thing I know for sure: you will be a force to be reckoned with.

You are a great skier…so  long as your parents aren’t around. When we were at Buttermilk, Dad and I were on the chairlift and saw you bombing down a black-diamond mogul run with your ski school chaps. As any good parents would do, we started cheering and catcalling, which caused you to lose focus and free-fall down the mountain before you finally regained your composure, thanked the heavens for your “wonderful” parents and kept skiing.

No matter where life leade you, we will always be your greatest cheerleaders–even during your worst wipe-outs–and particularly during the times when we’re the ones who cause them. Thanks for being patient with us.

Always remember that you are cherished, loved by your family, friends and most importantly, your Heavenly Father.

Love,

“Muz-eee-ar”

P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, read letters for your 11th birthday10th9th 8th7th6th5th4th3rd, 2nd and your birth story.


Birthday boy (and cakes) at the lake

Bode and birthdays go together like cake and ice cream. Since we started spending July in Canada a few years ago, the kid has scored on multiple “pretend” parties leading up to his big day.

1) His party with Denver friends (this year it was with Rolling Video Games Denver).
2) He’d have a family dinner with Jamie because Jamie was rarely with us up north.
3) He’d have his real birthday in Canada.
4) This would be followed by another fete with Jamie’s siblings when he returned.

For his eighth birthday, he only got three birthday parties but made up for it with five cakes. Impressive, non?

We were vacationing at Okanagan Lake in British Columbia for his birthday. Early that morning, I bought 100 Timbits from Tim Hortons, his favorite food on earth.

Not familiar with Timbits? Think the most delectable variety of doughnut holes on earth. And sorry Dunkin’ Doughnuts–your sub-par Munchkins don’t even come close.

The boy had a fabulous day boating and playing with his cousins on the dock and our beach.

But his real win on his birthday was in cakes. I had casually mentioned I planned to get him an ice cream cake for his birthday. I called in the order but unbeknownst to me, my generous Aunt Sue and mom went to Dairy Queen and bought two birthday cakes. I figured I couldn’t cancel the order after they’d already made it so we ended up eating three birthday cakes that week.

No one complained, especially not Bode.

We topped off the day with movie night on a friend’s beach. Hadley’s birthday at The Broadmoor was pretty tough to beat.

But this came pretty darn close. Happy birthday, Bode man!

Happy 8th Birthday to My Bode-man!

“This is what it’s like to be a king.” While eating your unlimited corn dogs at Elitch Gardens’ VIP preview party

Dear Bode,

I can’t believe you’re turning 8! This is a huge deal: You will soon be baptized, start Cub Scouts and enter third grade. Every year you grow to be more fun, smart and endearing. Though you’re becoming independent, you always take the time to snuggle up to your mom and shower me with love and kisses–just not around your buddies because you are, after all, a boy’s boy and have to save face with them. Except for when you saw a golf-ball-sized bee, in which case all of you “ran away in terror.” Your words, not mine.

You enjoy playing soccer every fall and spring, basketball in the winter, racing down the ski slopes, jamming on the piano, riding your bike, snuggling (read: mauling) Fat Kitty and growing giant pumpkins (your beast was 420 pounds last season). You are torn between being highly disciplined and loving video games like Minecraft while agonizing that they’re not good for you so have settled on a reasonable schedule so “I don’t get addicted.”

A parent-less week at Camp Chief Ouray

The other day you told me that when you are a dad, you will have your kids give you 50% of what they earn. When I responded that seemed like a lot and would you like me to take half of what you make, you had to reconsider. You ultimately decided 1/4 and then 1/8 of future earnings was more amenable so I look forward to my future kid taxes.

When I started boot camp this year from 6:30-7:30 a.m., I worried about you and your sister being responsible enough to get ready yourselves but I need not have fretted. In fact, you set your alarm clock early because you like to be “extra prepared” and that rings true in everything in your life. Your second grade teacher tracked all good and bad behavior by tallying up “Class DoJo points” and wouldn’t you know it, you were the very top of your class at year’s–in grades and behavior. The comments from your teachers on your report card ranged from “he is a joy,” to a “role model” and I beam with pride in knowing that you’re a good, selfless person and are always looking out for others first. A classic example is that Hadley hates the lemon-flavored gummy vitamins, and even though you don’t like them either, you always trade with her so she doesn’t have to eat them. That, my friend, is love.

A few years ago, I threw your dad a surprise 40th birthday party and you begged for us to do the same for you. We figured your 8th birthday was an important one so we rented a 32-foot mobile video game theater from Rolling Video Games Denver, had 14 of your besties hide in it and surprise you. Of course, you were shocked and then elated, repeating “I had no idea.” Your sheer joy will likely only be comparable to your wedding day and maybe the birth of your firstborn child. So long as its name is Steve. If you love Minecraft, you’ll totally get the reference.

Surprise!

Shock

The Motley Crew

You’re a numbers person and thrive in goal-setting while tracking your progress. Dad challenged you to read a pretty lofty amount of scripture before you are baptized in Aug. and you cranked it out in a few weeks. When I ask you to do something, you do it without questioning my motives, which is a far cry from when you were three and we had you clean out the ditch in the backyard. Not only did you revolt and cry, you made up a secret language you heatedly muttered under your breath as you worked, which sounded an awful lot like preschooler swear words.

Obsessive sand castle builder, Maui

We’ve had a fabulous year of travel: The AAA Five-Diamond Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and multiple ski trips. I was so proud when you delved right in as the sled’s driver when we dog-sledded in Breckenridge and had a blast spending Christmas in Utah. Last summer you, Hadley and I did a 3,000-mile trip that covered two countries and seven states (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah) and we’re currently in the middle of that same adventure because apparently we weren’t crazy enough the first time. We recently returned from Disneyland and Maui, which basically means this was our best travel year ever.

You recently returned from a week at Camp Chief Ouray in the mountains and I love that you are always ready to delve into new discoveries. You recently announced to me how much you love road trips and I couldn’t wait to hear the reason. Was it the prospect of discovering a new far-flung destination? Our fascinating conversations en route? Nope, it was because “I get to play unlimited video games while we’re driving” and that is why “getting there is half the fun” in your book.

Oh, and when I asked you where you dream destination is now that we’ve gone to Maui, you commented, “A place that doesn’t eat too much fish like Australia.” Hate to tell you, Dude, but it’s surrounded by water but I’m with you on boycotting seafood.

My favorite time with you is early in the morning when you curl up in bed with me and we sleepily talk about our dreams. I know you won’t be little forever so I cherish these moments. Just know that however big you are, your dreams will always be safe with me.

Love,

Mother

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For a stroll down memory lane, birthday letters 1, 2, 3, 4 56, and 7 (though the pictures no longer show due to switching blog platforms).

Timbits birthday breakfast at the Lake House