12 on the 12th: A tale of two rivers

Yesterday, we explored the town of Pagosa Springs. The boys were fascinated with the gentle flowing water that flowed in front of the Pagosa Hot Springs and begged to try tubing "tomorrow" I promised "maybe Dad will take you".

That river looked kind and gentle. Floating down the river sounded like a fun way to spend a Sunday morning.

So, today rolls around and we load up the family van...Auntie Terri (my BFF from college, and more family than friend) is visiting so the plan was for us to send the guys down the river while us ladies went to the Pagosa Springs Spa.

Note: this was the plan... and well, it didn't really pan out that way.
Here, in 12 pictures with short explanations, are the highlights of the day:


First Stop: the tube rental place. Oh my, look at the fun bus. They take you up to the starting point and you float down the river in your inner tube. The dashboard of the bus had a plethora of rubber duckies and they even encouraged you to use a sharpie and write your name on the back of the seats. Sounding pretty kid-tested, mother approved, right?

So, not wanting to miss the photo op of my guys floating peacefully down the river, laughing all the way, Terri and I wait in the park for the boys to make their first pass through.
Oh my, the interesting things you see in the park on a Sunday morning. First up, these ladies rehearsing for next weekend's Renaissance Festival. Belly dancing harem ladies? Um, OK I suppose they do things differently here in the mountains than down in the city.
While waiting, I send Terri back to the car for lunch supplies. It seems to be taking the guys a long time to float down stream. Should I start to worry?
Still waiting, another kid proudly displays the fish he found. Not caught, just found. Uh no thanks, as I passed on his offer to take this fish home
That calm river we played in yesterday? Was most definitely flowing faster today...such that this lady fly fisherman came by and started to try her hand at catching some lunch
Ah, finally, here they come...
And the happy family united together....and below the guys ready to wrap it up and call it a day

So, how here we are back at the condo...where Auntie Terri enjoys a good book
Thing One takes a well deserved afternoon siesta
And Thing Two discovers that there is just as much fun to be had here at the condo hot tub.

What didn't get captured in pictures was the fact that this river is a bit deceiving compared to where we played yesterday. OK, significantly more deceiving than yesterday's calm and gentle waters.

Missing is the picture where my big handsome hubby got tossed twice from his tube, lost his hat and almost his glasses. He now sports a big old bump on the back of his head.

We also opted not to photograph the river rescue involving Thing One and his run away raft. Thank you kind stranger who caught him and walked him over to calmer waters.

Nor did we catch me, the look of guilt and remorse in my face when I realized that my guys aren't as water savvy as I thought they were. Nor were the conditions as calm and easy as the rental people led us to believe. Lady, we're tourists, city folks, we don't know these things....

At times Hubby said the boys looked down right scared....lacking the bulk to slow down their speed and lacking the agility to control where they went floating to. The river depth varied greatly from waist high (as measured by my waist when I waded in fully clothed, trying to help drag Thing One back to shore) to no depth (as measured by the bruised buttocks that all three guys now sport)

So, us gals never did make it to the Hot Springs...and really, that's OK...because right now I'm just grateful to have my 3 most treasured gifts home safe with me...battered, bruised but safe just the same.

On the road: Day 1

This morning I loaded up the Things and we headed south. Our destination: Pagosa Springs for a week of hanging out...no set schedule other than to spend a week away.

We've not taken a road trip in quite awhile (opting to fly instead) so it was interesting to listen to what the boys had to say when they would occasionally come up for air from their assorted electronic babysitters.

• "Hey, Mom, that one looks like a pair of butt cheeks, see?" (when Thing One noticed a rock formation in the distance. And well, yes, it did look like a pair of nicely shaped buttocks that even a president might take notice of)

(the rocks below are not "Butt Mountain" but rather "Lumpy Butt as christened by Thing Two)

• 

• "Um, I think I prefer the smell of the city" (when again Thing One became aware of his surroundings as we passed through the heavily agricultural area of the San Luis Valley)

• "Dude, quit Bustin' a Grumpy" (this remark made by Thing Two...and yes, his brother was filling our van with odors not much different than the smell of cattle we'd experienced earlier in the trip)
• "WOW" (when Thing Two looked up from his electronics and realized we were crossing over Wolf Creek Pass. He said it again when we stopped at the scenic turn off)

So, here we are at the Wyndham Pagosa...our home for a week.

• 

And as you can see, even the view from the parking lot is worth soaking in...

Wordless Wednesday: When Things go grocery shopping with Mom...

Fun on the Fourth: Park View Style...

A shameless plug for Hubby...

He's already a winner in my eyes (and the Things too). But recently, he's become a finalist in a contest for his motorcycle organization. I'm probably messing up the details (yeah, I only partially pay attention to his hobby) but if selected, his photo will be published in their calendar.

That'd be so cool...

So, if you read this and are so inclined, could you vote for him?

The contest is here and his photo is on the second page, towards the end (Brigitta on Pike's Peak)

Wordless Wednesday: Annie Annie are you ok?

Fear Not: I'm now fully certified to provide CPR to you and your loved ones...

and one step closer to being ready for my return to nursing...

Don't mess with me...

I'm brave (or stupid) enough to take 3 boys to a water park by myself.  Hubby is working some really wacky hours and I am holding down the fort while he is either working or sleeping (and sadly, he is not necessarily doing these two tasks in the time frame that the rest of the world does so).  

So, if you happen to be a roofing contractor trying to get my business I suggest you take note:  I will NOT sign a contract until you present me with an estimate.  It is really none of your business as to how much my insurance is covering. I need you to tell me how much you will charge me then we'll talk specifics and find a number we all agree on.  

 And finally, if you want me to believe you are a "local" company, I highly suggest you not show up with your out of state plates and clothing hanging in the back of your pick up truck.   It really seems like you are living out of your truck.  Why is that?  

So don't be fooled by the fact that you are dealing with the little woman...I'm more than capable of making grown men fear me (just ask that hubby of mine...assuming he's home or awake!)

Thinking of you Thursday...more than three

At dinner this evening,  we were commenting on the "three" factor as we talked about the passing of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcet and now Michael Jackson.  The boys asked us what this "death comes in three"  means and as we explained it,  Thing Two says..."no, that's wrong, things happened this time in fours, what about Joseph's sister?"

He's right...how could we leave out her?

You see last week, a neighbor family experienced the unthinkable when the mom discovered her 5 month old daughter passed away during her morning nap.

So this evening, I say  to those famous and those not so famous...those old and those young:  May You Rest In Peace.. .we shall remember you fondly!

All tuckered out

Took the Things and their buddy to Water World today. (a local water park)

A fun filled day...until the afternoon clouds rolled in. (hail no, not again? At least no twisters this time)

As we were heading out of the park, the friend said "I wouldn't mind if my dad sends me straight to bed when I get home!".

AG, I couldn't agree more. Is 6:40pm too early to call it a night?

Photos to follow...once I find some energy.

Thinking of you Thursday

July 02: Kindergarten Bound (posed photo the day after, when he was more cooperative with the camera and figured school was a one day ordeal. Tears fell soon after he realized he had to go back THERE....
June 03: Back when it was still p.c. to celebrate kindie graduation. These days? They call it a Kindergarten Celebration. whatever...

Thing One: his last day of elementary school

Thing One: Middle School Bound 6.18.09

Here I sit...after the long week that is the last week of the school year....I can't really find the words to express what I"m thinking about.

Who would ever have guessed that: Martha without the right words? Hey, it happens...

In July 2002, I sent my baby off to The Big School.

So much excitement and anticipation "back then"

I wondered, I worried: would he catch up, would he fit in, would he make friends, would he...

And while so many of these worries are no longer there...I find myself finding new set of worries. But you know what is different this time? I'm also filled with a lot more excitement and anticipation to see how he conquers the new challenges that he will face.

For one thing I now realize about my first born child: he's capable of things I never imagined possible! He's got a style all of his own...and that alone will take him far! He may not take the path all the other kids take...but in the end? He'll be right there with all the others.

And for those of us raising quirky kids? It really doesn't get much better than that!

Wordless Wednesday: A friend in need is a friend indeed...

A careless Thing was tossing his trunks in the air when an evil tree snatched them.  

When who should we spot, but the lovely Sunshine Girls and their Momma

After a little bit of giggling, we were able to dislodge the trunks and we all continued on with our adventure.

Oh yeah, this was supposed to be wordless, I forgot.  But somehow I thought if I just showed a picture of my son's trunks in a tree, you'd question my parenting and my sanity.  I felt compelled to share...the rest of the story!  

Without a doubt, we all get by with a little help from our friends...some days more than others!  Thanks ladies!  

Wise man..

Thing One has been unusually cooperative this past week.

Today, he let it slip what was his inspiration for such a cooperative and cheerful attitude:

"I'm not stupid Mom, summer break is about to start and you could pull video games just like that...and that'd be a bad way to start vacation"

Ah...I have the power and he knows it...wondering how long I can milk all this good stuff for?  

Mission Accomplished

Some days, accomplishing just ONE task is reason for celebration.

Today was such a day.

I've been telling myself for almost a month now "I need to go get my mammogram done". For one reason or another, I have put it off. They are done as walk ins where I go and yet, for whatever reason, it just wasn't making it to the top of my list and the clock was ticking.

So today, I made time for The Big Squeeze...

Have you?

Don't delay: knowledge is power, early detection is key, and really? You feel great checking it off of your To-Do List!

12 on the 12th:

There he goes, my oldest Thing, heading off to school.  Next week at this time, he'll be officially done with elementary school.  His bag?  Some sort of brown bag book report:  I know nothing about it.  He did it completely on his own (which as a crafty hovering parent, you know this sort of independence kills me...but I"m also glad he's capable and interested in flying solo more and more!)

I came home to this.  It's in the "don't ask" category of household management.  That same adorable Thing pictured above was determined to find something earlier in the week and this is what was left in his path.  I should work on putting it all back where it belongs.  But instead, I hop on Face Book and discover...

that my dear friend, TZ is willing and able to goof off.  So, I swing by her place.  Isn't her yard looking delicious these days?  All that rain has really helped green everything up.  That's for sure.

I tempted TZ with the idea of scoping out the local garage sale scene.  Really?  We just drive around the snooty neighborhoods, catch up on gossip, ooh and ahh over homes with cute curb appeal  and then I suggest LUNCH...

You see, TZ's birthday is Monday so I offered to take her out for an early celebration.  Mind you I told her that I'd take her to Rumbi:  then realized that was rude, so I asked her if she liked Rumbi.  Sometimes the pushy part of my Martha ways just takes over.  But really?  Who doesn't love Rumbi?

On the way home, we took the back way as I wanted to show her these rows of homes with incredible hail damage. On this yellow house,  where it looks like chipping paint? Those are  HUGE gouges in the sides of homes where the hail hit at what looks like 90 degree angles.Seriously, these pictures don't show the full magnitude and depth of the  damage.    YOWZA!

I delivered TZ back to her place.  I'm sure she went on to do amazing and productive things.  Me?  I realized I had a Friday tradition to uphold...fast food delivery

You see, years ago, I started to offer Thing One fast food on Fridays.  He was having a rough time of it and this was a good tool to motivate him.  But somewhere along the line, it has become our tradition.  Sure, I grumble and groan about the delivery service but I also must admit, I love seeing him and his posse of pals flock over to meet me when I show up with French fries on Fridays.  

I recently  joined the neighborhood social committe.  Yeah, I know, you are probably thinking "finally?"...

I needed to put up some signs for our upcoming Party In the Park event...and realized, I should offer a "pretty" glimpse of the 'hood after last week's views of the police presence.

For 12 yrs this corner of our subdivision has remained vacant. (Ok, probably longer, but we've only  lived here for 12 yrs). An assortment of people have promised great things for this corner and finally something is starting to happen.  I hear it is going to be a Sprouts.  This means I'll have less of an excuse for not offering fresh fruit and veggies more often.  Apparently, that is their specialty.  

It isn't just me starting to run on fumes.  The mystery van was one thirsty chick.  

And last stop before I go collect the Things, fuel for the family.  It's goulash soup for dinner?  Got plenty of left overs...come on over, if you happen to be in the area!  

And the excitement continues

I think I need to quit with the joking around.

First I call my neighborhood "the hood" and next thing I know the SWAT team is parked up the street.

Then, I joke with friends that we're so far east of the metro area, that you can practically see Kansas.

But for the record, Dorothy, you may keep your twisters.

This baby sized funnel cloud proved exciting enough for us.....wind, rain and hail. The Things and I were hanging in the basement. Not because we're good people who listened to the warnings (because guess what, there was no warning except for the county north of us)...but because it's a great place to hang during a storm.

Hubby was on his motorcycle, coming back from a mountain adventure. For a change, being on the west side of town proved to be the safer spot for him.

And then after the storm passed ...DISASTER struck...yep, a power surge took out our modem. Leaving us stranded: no phone, no cable and worst of all...no face book for some 19 hours.

It was brutal I tell you: but somehow we survived and in doing so, we finished reading The Last Olympian, the laundry fairy came back AND she brought along the kitchen goddess and vacuum diva...

Life is good indeed

(and thanks to Eric M. for capturing a picture of the baby twister for us.)

Was that a compliment?

Thing One overhears me telling my friend how I'm having a blah day:  3 p.m and I'm still  wearing sweats, tshirt and no make up.  

He perks up when he  heard the word make up

"MOM, you never wear make up, that's for PRICEY ladies"

Usually I can translate "quirky" pretty easily but this one?  Has me STUMPED!  

Wordless Wednesday: The View of Park View

Hey folks, I was only joking when I refer to my community as the 'hood.

Because one just didn't seem enough

why not put them BOTH in braces at the same time?

Here's the older Thing sporting his new grin

Smiley Miley

sports a new grin...

Wordless Wednesday: Getting my ducks in a row...

Not sure what I'll do once they are all lined up, but I"ll be ready just the same...

Memorial Day '09

Bravery never goes out of fashion.

William Makepeace Thackeray

The Joy of Boys: The Chore Edition

They think anything involving gasoline and power is fun....

*Heaven help us when he discovers some kids get paid for mowing yards! 

 Mr. Entrepreneur will be all over that idea!  

Permission to play with chemicals suddenly makes even the least helpful of the pair willing to give it a shot (or in this case, a squirt and swish)

That's MY boy....

Every once in awhile I get a glimpse of ME in my younger thing.  Usually, it is in the things he says or the way he acts.  Once in awhile, we capture it on film (this time with a camera phone...sorry for the grainy appearance).  

He was over the moon in realizing a creation exists that features his two favorite things:  pie and Chocolate.  Uh oh, I think I deserve a couple demerits in that he's gone this long before experiencing the joy that is French Silk Pie.  What kind of mother am I?  

Rules of Engagement

Hubby was chatting with the boys this morning at breakfast.

For some reason, they were talking about punching. What to do if...sort of conversations

 What brought about this morning hot topic?  I have no idea:  I am just the mom.  

Hubby says "Now boys, what would you do if a girl ever hit you?"

Thing Two:  "Trust Karma?"

Little does he know...

Thing Two likes to eavesdrop  (where he gets that, I have NO idea...yeah right...snickers the biggest gossip in the 'hood).  

Yesterday he realized another mom and I were into an involved conversation and he was trying to listen.  

Striking out, he later came right out and asked "What were you and Miss J. talking about?  (he's blunt, again...no idea where he gets that from).

Knowing the matter was really none of his business, I quickly pulled out a fake answer (I don't always think fast when cornered) "Um, we were talking about shaving our legs".

"Yeah RIGHT, Mom.  There is no such thing as that.  Sure, men shave beards when they get older, and I hear that arm pits grow hair.  But legs?  Really.  I don't think so....try again!"

The problem with automated records...

I was to have followed up with the doctor in 3 months...

It's been 2 yrs...

the good news is I've felt fine (which is why I blew off the follow up appt. Hey, I went to NP school:  95% of the diagnosis come from the history.  Clinical exam just supports the diagnosis.  Ok, so that's an attempt to justify my poor complaince but yeah...whatever).

the bad news?  The nice nurse practitioner (that was thoroughly reviewing those automated records)  said, while smiling sweetly, "here, how about we make that appointment today".  

Slow news week...

A week?  Really has it been a week since I updated the blog?

I know yesterday was the 12th and I coulda-shoulda done 12 on the 12th butI  just wasn't that interested in doing so.  

Spring Fever seems to be raging in full force here at Casa de Chang.

But, I guess that's better than Swine Flu, right?

Colleen was sweet enough to post a widget that has our count-down until summer vacation starts.  It's rather depressing so I won't share it here...but suffice to say I'm already done with supervising the homework, encouraging a reasonable bed time and making sure personal hygiene gets taken care of (sorry if you happen to be seated next to my stinky boys in class....showers are apparently not the "in" thing for the 9-11yr old crowd).

We all enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day...the Things gave me the best gift possible:  cooperation and reasonably cheerful attitude.  Sadly, Monday was back to "business as usual" and Thing One is again on video game restriction.  

The more things change...the more they stay the same I suppose.....

Wordless Wednesday: Barbie at 50...

Happy Birthday Barbie!