Marcy and her mud-covered friends after the Spartan Race in Colorado Springs

This past week Marcy and I went our separate ways. I left for San Francisco for a week to put on the annual LendIt Conference. It was a big success with 950 people in attendance and it was an exhausting but rewarding experience. Meanwhile Marcy completed her first ever Spartan Race, which is basically a 4 mile run over an obstacle course covered in mud, and I mean completely covered in many places. I love the juxtaposition of these two photos here.

My friends and fellow organizers of the LendIt Conference after it wrapped up in San Francisco

Marcy’s parents drove out from Iowa to be here so that Marcy could compete in the race while I was away. Jude and Anna loved having their grandparents in town – they took them to a school walkathon and watched Jude play football. They also went and saw Marcy’s great aunt and cousin who live south of Denver.

Marcy’s family with her Aunt Jeanne and cousin Shari

On Friday Anna went to her friend Reed’s birthday party at Cheeseman Park and they flew kites. Anna loved it so much that on Saturday Marcy went out and bought kites for both kids. Jude’s kite was challenging getting going but Anna’s flew easily and she loved it – particularly the fact it was a Hello Kitty kite (this was not Marcy’s first choice but Costco did not have much of a selection).

Anna flying her new kite at the park in Stapleton

Today was Mother’s Day and it was a cold and snowy day here in Denver. I made pancakes for breakfast and then Marcy wanted to go to a family yoga class which was great. Then it was back home to watch the first Harry Potter movie while Marcy baked cookies. We had a lazy afternoon with some chess. Then it was Indian takeout for dinner. Marcy had a nice day, I think, despite the weather.

Playing some chess by the fire on a cold and snowy Mother’s Day

Finally, I just want to mention my mother. She passed away three weeks ago so this was obviously my first Mother’s Day without her. She was never far from my thoughts today and I often felt her sweet and loving presence. I told the kids that this Mother’s Day would be a difficult one for me and they have been great about it. At dinner tonight Jude proposed a toast to my mum and I just loved that he was that thoughtful. Happy Mother’s Day to you mum, I really miss you.