Spring Piano Recital

Riley played two pieces at her recital. Many of the students performed a duet with their teacher as their second piece, but Riley requested that her Dad play with her.

Riley has made great progress since she started lessons nine months ago, and she really enjoys being able to play.

Riley's Christmas Recital

Riley starting taking piano lessons from our neighbor in September. She has been doing well, and her teacher tells me often that she loves Riley's enthusiasm. So do we!

Garden of the Gods

Colorado is not lacking in beautiful scenery, but I think Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. The rock formations are incredible! It was our last stop on our three day camping adventure.

The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the rocks. Even Asher, who has been more timid in the past that his big sister, got into the fun.

A rattlesnake crossing the path as we headed back to our car was an unexpected surprise.

First Camping Trip of the Year

I wanted this summer to be a fun one for me and the kids. Since I'm not a spontaneous person, I knew that if I didn't do some advanced planning we'd end up sitting around the house more than any of us would appreciate, and our outings would, more likely than not, be trips to Target and occasional playgroups with the same group of friends from church.

I set a goal for myself to have one trip to a park, one trip to a pool, and one "adventure" each week. So far we've accomplished that goal every week, and even exceeded it most weeks with multiple park visits.

Our first adventure was a little more ambitious than future ones will be: a three day/two night camping trip to Golden Gate State Park. We lucked out with a great campsite that was right in front of some perfect climbing rocks.

Riley and Asher spent so much time climbing and exploring together.

The first morning we were there we took a hike to a nearby pond called Dude's Fishing Hole.

Both boys had had enough hiking by the time we got there, so after looking around for a little bit, I headed back to camp with them, while Scot and Riley continued on an additional 3 mile loop.

By the time they got back, Riley was worn out and insisted that the hike had been too long. But you can tell from these pictures that it wasn't all bad. The first is one she took of Scot just before they headed out on their own.

Then, one of Riley posing for him later in their hike. Think she's a daddy's girl?

But as always, one of the favorite parts of camping for the whole family was just sitting around the campfire.

Culinary Princess

Scot recently requested that I make a version of chicken and rice for dinner that he used to make a lot back in his single days. He claimed, "It's so easy, Riley could make it." Well, she was within earshot, and she took the challenge to heart. When Scot told her that I'd put Chicken & Rice on our meal list for the week, she declared that she was going to make it . . . by herself!

It was just as simple as Scot claimed.

And with the exception of preheating the oven and pulling the finished product out, Riley did the whole thing herself.

Tall Tales

I know kids will lie to get out of trouble. Heaven knows I did plenty of that as a child. Some will make things up for attention. Lately Riley has been making up stories and trying to pass them off as fact, for no apparent reason.

Scot took her on a date recently. They got ice cream at McDonalds, and then headed to Target to spend her Christmas money from her great-grandparents. The next day she told me in great detail exactly how she got a splinter while playing at McDonalds. I asked if she needed me to take it out, and she said "Daddy already got it out."

"With what?"

"His fingers."

"Wow! That must have been a big splinter if he was able to get it out with his fingers. Does it still hurt?"

"No, not anymore."

And that was the end of it. She didn't want any comforting from me, or even to show the injury to me.

That night I mentioned the splinter to Scot, and he looked completely baffled. Turns out Riley didn't even play in the play area. They sat down, ate their ice cream, and left. She made up the entire thing. And we can't figure out why. Maybe she's just practicing her fiction-writing skills. Maybe she just wants to see how I'll react to these fables. Or maybe she just likes hearing herself talk. If that's the case, it's not a recent development, but a long-time trait that has taken a new form.

Zapata Falls

Near the Great Sand Dunes, there is a one-mile round-trip hike to some falls from a stream that cuts through a short canyon. The trail up is rocky and dusty and hot and dry. Once you hit the stream, it is cool, green, and really pleasant. I would say they are 50-60 feet high, but you have to hike the last 200 yards or so through the ice cold stream. We knew Riley was adventurous, but even this hike surprised us. She was jumping from rock to rock and walking in the water with no problem. I ended up running around with her (with Tyson on my back) because I also like hiking around streams.

At the falls she saw a man who had climbed to an upper pool. Disregarding the fact that she's five, she started heading up too. Becca hurried over to give her a hand, and fortunately (for both of them) Riley got about half-way there when she realized it was too much of a challenge for her and willingly headed back down.

The entrance to the canyon where the waterfall is located.

Showing off for Riley as we explored both sides of the stream together. You have to be the cool dad when pressure is applied.

Answering the call of nature. It's time to teach the boy to do it on his own.

Father's Day

I got a card on Father's day with this picture. I thought it was pretty cool, but even cooler once I realized it was my own kids. Thanks - fatherhood has been the best adventure of my life.

Baby Birds

I was clearing things off my iPod and found this photo. It didn't take long for all three kids to discover that Scot had a handful of Goldfish. For his own entertainment, he would only share with them if they'd tip their heads back and let him toss the crackers into their mouths. At least he wasn't chewing them up first.

Take-Your-Kid-To-Work Day

Last week, we had a take your child to work day. Since Riley is 5, going on 15, I thought she would enjoy it (and she did, oblivious to the fact that most of the kids were twice her age or thereabouts). She loved riding the light rail into work, commenting at everything that passed by. She had a fun time with the activities my company had planned. They played with Google Earth, flying to some of the work sites and other fun locations. They made a string of fruit and nuts to feed to the birds. They learned how water could create electricity. They 'mined' cookies to get the chocolate chips out. They made roller-coasters to learn about potential energy changing into kinetic energy. Supposedly, a fight nearly broke out when the two roller coaster teams were talking smack about finishing first. Riley was right in the middle of it telling them they were wrong and her team was going to win and they were just being mean. Maybe it's time to teach the finer points of trash talking skills and ethics.

After sugaring them up, us parents had them back around noon. We ate lunch, then Riley colored and did some other activities (like looking out my window and telling me every person and vehicle that passed by my building) while I tried to get a little work done. We took a walk around downtown, then we headed home on the light rail - once again entertaining all the passengers with her running commentary. She was upset the next day that she didn't get to go with me again, and Asher keeps insisting that next week he will get to go to my work (kind of like 'yesterday' is anything that happened in the past). It was a fun day for Riley and I think 'Take you child to work' day is also 'Mom gets a day off' day.

Later, when in the kitchen, Riley gave a firm soliloquy on why we don't drink coffee and didn't understand why there was coffee there (I guess the kitchen is all mine).

Technical Difficulties

I haven't been able to upload photos from my camera to my computer, so I'm way backed up on blog posts. I do have a few fun ones that I've taken on my iPod with a fun app called "Instagram." Enjoy these, and in the meantime, I'll be pushing the limits of my computer skills.

Afternoon dress-up is becoming pretty common in our house. If I don't get my errands run in the morning, there is a good chance Riley will be wearing a tutu and her mouse ears (or something equally as subtle) to the grocery store. Luckily Asher is content with a hat, or a pair of shoes he hasn't worn in a while.

Happy Flag Day!

Asher got his first "summer cut" last week. I can't resist rubbing his head now, and he has finally quit telling me, "Don't mess up my hair!"

We got an early morning rain storm last week. When the kids saw the puddle on the back patio, they wasted no time putting on their rain boots and heading out to splash.

The kids and I are so blessed to have Scot as their Dad.

The Big 3-0

We are celebrating Scot's 30th birthday today. I think Riley might be more excited about it than he is. I'll add photos later, but here are Asher & Riley's birthday wishes to their Daddy.

Best Daddy

The Daddy in this house has two wonderful kids who love him. Riley and Asher are both very affectionate lately, giving hugs and kisses, snuggling, even holding his hand.

Obviously they love him so much because he shows them how much he loves them.

Scot is a very hands-on Daddy.

He gets down on the ground and plays with them.

He does things with them that they enjoy.

He teaches them.

He helps them.

He makes time for them.

All three of us are very glad that he's their Daddy!