It's Showtime

    Superior Elementary has been putting on a 5th Grade Musical for 23 years. At the end of Cooper's 4th grade school year, I had asked him if he thought he might try out for the play. He told me, he was not sure, but thought he might just do backstage support. I am very glad that he changed his mind. Once the time came, he decided he would try out for the role of Genie in Aladdin.  He did his work and practiced the song and dialog. When he came home that day, I asked how it went, and he said he thought he did okay. He noted that his friend Tyler was a great Genie, so he did not think he would get that part, but had a few other backup roles that he thought he might get. I was proud that he tried, since I am guessing there will not be many other chances in his life to do this. Well, a few days later he came home excited. He told me that he has been offered the role of Aladdin (Genie did go to Tyler :) ). He had some hesitations since he was playing Flag Football, and in Cyclocross, both which take up a lot of time.  But decided it was too good of an opportunity to turn down.
    The next month and a half was full of days of rushing between play practice and sports. I must say I think I saw Cooper maturing before my eyes during this time. He had a great attitude. Never complained about finishing homework at 7 PM after a long day. Just did all that was required of him to take care of the things he signed up for.  He always said that play practice was fun.  I went thru the dialog with him once and he had a good handle on it, so I kind of left him alone for the most part. 
   The rest of the community, as it always does, really stepped up and created amazing sets and costumes for the kids. It really was a great experience that I know Cooper will remember fondly. So when the day came , we were all very excited. Jack, Martha, Joel and I were able to make it to the daytime show, and it was really fun to see the whole production come together. Then Sarah's bunch was able to make the night show.  What these kids created,with a herculean help of the teachers was really special.  We loved every minute of it.
  Here are a few pics from the show (again thanks to another spectacular teacher Jen Lehman)

 One Cute Aladdin

 

Abu, Aladdin, and Genie

Prince Ali, Magic Carpet and Genie (I told you the costumes were great)

Jasmine and Prince Ali (aka Aladdin)

Mrs Higgins 5th Grade Class

Super proud parents and sister

Ready for showtime

    One side story that has made me laugh every time I see the video is Cooper "trying" to direct his castmates. Jasmine and Prince Ali were suppose to look at each other at the end of "A Whole New World". Well Jasmine either forgot, or was not persuaded of Prince Ali's affection so Cooper decided to remind her by kicking her..... the look on her face is priceless.

   Joel and I are so very proud of what Cooper and all his classmates did with his musical. Now for the next adventure in the 5th graders year. Calwood, which is an outdoor education camp they go to next week! These are some blessed kiddos!

Living on Mountain Time

      We were lucky enough to borrow our friends condo in Summit County again this summer and had a great weekend riding and hiking in some really beautiful country.   We headed up Thursday night ,  hoping to avoid the Friday traffic. Sadly I starting having a little trouble with my asthma and had to run back home early Friday morning to get my inhaler. Thankfully I was also able to help Joel out with a malfunctioning bike part and saved us some time to get it fixed. Joel worked on Friday and the kids and I hung out at the condo to hike and swim.
   Early Saturday morning we headed out to get some mountain biking in.  Lauren was not super thrilled with the first hills, but once we got into the trees, she really started to enjoy it. Since Cooper has been biking all summer, we pretty much never saw him again, until we headed back to the parking lot. I had not been on the trails in way too long, and it was so much fun.  At one point we took a wrong turn and got on a Blue rated trail (think Green, blue , black like skiing), but both kids rode it well. Lauren had a small crash, but nothing major. All in all it was a great time, and I hope we can do it again very soon!

Lauren getting the hang of it

Mom and Lauren bombing down the hill (might be a little exaggerated)

11 year old in his happy place

Lauren rocking the technical parts

   I had started looking for a hike to do on Friday when we were hanging out at the condo.  I try to find things that will challenge us, but not destroy us. I also have to consider which trails we can take Obi on. He is great on trails and REALLY loves it. So I had found a trail that started right at the bottom of the West side of the Eisenhower Tunnel. Which I thought sounded pretty cool to hike up to the continental divide. So Sunday morning we headed up. It turned out to be a really cool hike.  We had a blast. Not super long (I think about 5 miles back and forth) but we did get up to 12600 feet.  

Getting ready to head up - Some confusion on grabbing Ren's Coat, so she is wearing Joel's

Family Selfie - The building in the back is the top of the Eisenhower Tunnel

A boy and his dog - What an amazing view!

Almost to the top - was starting to get windy

Happy Girls 

     Once we were about 1/2 mile from the top it started getting pretty windy, but it was cool to get to the peak. It was a fun hike, one that I might to again.  After getting back to the car, we had to head home for a friends birthday party. But as always it was a great time in the mountains. We are so blessed to live in such an awesome place. 

While we hiked just under 6 miles, Obi must have gone 12. (in this pic we had just seen a Marmot)

 

Now we are starting 5th and 3rd

     I somehow lost a whole year in the blog world. Which is really sad because we had a great year. Spent Christmas in Arkansas, went to Disney World, hit Seattle with the Lovejoy's. But now we are back at it.

    We started another school year. Cooper is in his last year at Superior Elementary, and Lauren started 3rd. We are super excited to get it going. Cooper is looking forward to the school play, and playing the trombone in the band. Lauren's year will include learning multiplication and division.  Lauren has kept up with gymnastics and Cooper has started Cyclocross along with his favorite Flag Football. 

Here are a few of the first of days (or Cooper's last first day of Elementary school )

Cooper (11yrs) 5th grade Mrs. Higgins

Lauren (8yrs) 3rd grade Mrs. Hosek

My third year working at the school (I will work with 1st grade all day)

Poor Joel does not get any summer's off :)

And Obi is now spending his days on the couch

First Day of 2018-2019 School Year

    Well the years keep coming. Cooper is 10 and in 4th grade; Lauren is 7 and in 2nd grade. I am going back to work at  Superior for the 2nd year(I will not be saying my age). Cooper had Mrs. Kirby and should have an amazing year. 4th grade has tons of special projects and things to keep him occupied.  Lauren is super lucky to have Mrs Lehman (Just like Cooper). I know all the fun this coming in the spring will be amazing and challenging. We were blessed to have Grammie and Grandpa here for the first day.  So it is a great start to a great year. The pics were a little rushed, and not great, but we will post anyway, because hey life is certainly not perfect :)! Here's to a great school year.

Momma and Daughter

Cooper too cool for the sign :)

Daddy and Daughter

Another one to add to Cooper's graduation  pics - nice Eye roll

At least Cooper is smiling

The walking to school selfie :)

Oh my Goodness.... we are in Double Digits!

     
  My favorite boy in the world turned 10 years old this year........And I am not sure I have accepted it yet. He has been asking for a party and I have been putting it off, saying we could have one when he turned 10. So it was now time for Mom to pony up. He decided after much back and forth to have a sleepover. We finally agreed on a number and emails were sent out, and he waiting not to patiently for the day to arrive.
    On Friday night, we had 6 boys show up, and start running amok!! So it was quickly decided to head down to the park for the frenzy to have a little more room. All the boys were great and I hope that they had fun, I know Cooper did.  Once we wore a little energy off, we headed back home for pizza and a movie. A few of the kiddos had things in the morning and were unable to stay the night,  but we were able to make lights out around 10:30..... so really late for mom and dad!
   Kids woke up pretty early, and wanted to play some video games.... so I think we included most things that 10 years olds like, Parks, Superheros(Movie), Pizza, and video games. I think the only thing missing was a nerf gun fight. Maybe next time. Well with all the chaos I was only able to take a few pics. But I hope the memories will stay for Cooper.

  The tradition of streamers still lives.... I am thinking it will  be something I do until they leave the house (and I am okay with that - thought I might have to do while they are still awake when they get older)

A group of crazy... but really great kids

 Opening Presents - I warned you I did not get great pics

 The Zombie look of 10 year olds playing video games

      I hope Cooper had the best of days. He is really a great kid, and I am proud to be his Mom. Now I know if I do not pay close attention he will be 20......