Enjoying a birthday hike in the foothills

Tuesday was my birthday. With Anna on Spring Break we were going to go skiing in Vail that day but that plan was thwarted by the coronavirus as the ski resorts all closed a couple of weeks ago. So, I had a quiet morning and then we went for a hike in Apex Park in the foothills. Olive came along for her first mountain hike. Jude had to stay home because of school. Then when we got home he and I went for a bike ride downtown.

Anna goes on the roof of the garage to retrieve basketballs

We have been playing a lot of basketball lately. We setup a net on our garage and Jude has been playing almost every day for the past couple of months (since Kobe Bryant died). Anna joins occasionally but Jude is developing a passion for it. He is getting really good, far more skillful than I ever was, and he is always asking one of us to play.

Anna and Elsie making candles from wax crayons

Today, Anna and Elsie decided they wanted to melt crayons and make candles. This was a major project that took up the entire afternoon. They cut up about 15 crayons, melted them down (in the microwave and on the stove) and made six candles. They were dedicated to their task and were really happy with the results.

Anna testing out one of her new candles on the front porch

Marcy spent some of the weekend trying to install a new storage rack in our garage. I helped out a little as it was quite the project and we still have more to go. But it did give Marcy a chance to do a bit of spring cleaning in the garage.

With so much of the afternoon taken up with candles Anna had the idea to roast marshmallows over the candles. They turned black pretty quickly but the kids didn’t seem to mind.

Roasting marshmallows on an open candle flame

Jude showing off his new creation

Both Jude and Anna began new schooling experiences this week with online school. Anna’s school was all ready to go first thing on Monday morning while Jude’s school eased their way into it with a Wednesday start. Both kids adapted to it quite well with video lessons using Zoom or Google Meet. While it is certainly not ideal they continue to learn and interact with their classmates.

Making a delicious carrot cake

One of Anna’s assignments for math this week was to make something with half or double the recipe. Anna chose a carrot cake recipe and she nailed it. It was absolutely delicious, one of the best carrot cakes I have had in a long time.

Anna (with Elsie on her back) going over a jump with Olive a bit confounded

We had a decent snowstorm on Thursday, about 6-8 inches. Of course, the one thing about online school is that there are no snow days. But at 3:30 with the close of school both kids were out enjoying it. Jude spent a good amount of time making a stout snowman that he proceeded to dress up in quite elaborate fashion. Anna spent her time making a snow wall.

Jude catching some air

Friday afternoon they hit the sledding hill at the park. And on Saturday morning they crafted the perfect jump. Anna was actually on the sledding hill all day Saturday. She even took the wheelbarrow up so they could make a bigger jump. It warmed up in the afternoon and much of the snow melted. But they were undeterred as they kept reinforcing the sled hill.

Anna and Thomas determined to keep their sled run going

Today was a bit warmer so by the end of the day most of the snow was gone. Jude and I went for a run around Wash Park, Anna went for a walk, Marcy did an online yoga class, I made some bread and then all four of us played some tennis in the late afternoon.

Anna with her delicious creation in honor of Pi Day

With the coronavirus canceling everything, there was no soccer, no gymnastics and thereby a completely open weekend. Marcy had a Ridhwan class which was moved online so she was out of action both days.

Yesterday, Jude and Anna laid low in the morning and then played with the neighbor kids a lot of the afternoon. I played some basketball and soccer with Jude and we went for a run around the park. Anna decided she wanted to make a pie in honor of Pi Day but as time got away from us that project moved to today.

After doing their chores this morning Jude and I went to the park with Olive for an epic doggie play date. Everyone decided to go to the park this morning and at one stage there were 12 dogs running around. Olive had a great time (and a great workout). Jude and I went to play some tennis but we had to go to Wash Park because with all DPS schools closed the South High courts were also closed. Anna spent all afternoon making a cherry pie and we enjoyed it for dessert tonight – it was simply delicious.

Olive chilling on our bed

Marcy did most of the Ridhwan weekend in our bedroom using Zoom. Olive, as usual, really wanted to be with her so she came in and lay on the bed for some of the time. This was a first, but Olive seemed quite comfortable with the new situation.

It was a gorgeous day in Keystone on Saturday

This weekend was supposed to be a family ski weekend but Anna had a birthday party she really wanted to go to on Saturday, and a gymnastics class, so it was just Jude and I again. We went up on Friday night again and spent Saturday on the mountain at Keystone. It was even warmer than the previous week and with barely a cloud in the sky. The snow was still excellent and Jude continued to get better at the bumps.

Olive enjoying the warmest day of the year

Today was the warmest day of the year so far. It was completely sunny until late this afternoon. Jude decided he wanted to get out the baby pool for Olive so she could enjoy some time splashing around. He played with her for ages.

Setting up their Lemonade Stand on historic South Gaylord street

Meanwhile, Anna and the neighbors were busy working on a lemonade stand. We bought several dozen lemons at Costco and Anna (with Marcy’s help) made lemonade. Then they put everything in a wagon and dragged it four and a half blocks to the historic block on South Gaylord. They did a roaring trade selling out of their lemonade and also selling a few boxes of girl scout cookies.

Also today, Jude picked up he new referee uniform so he is all ready to go as a certified referee. His own soccer season starts next weekend but he is still going to fit in some refereeing most weekends.

Olive with one of her new toys

Olive turned one this past week and the kids were very excited about it. They went to the pet store and bought a number of presents. Olive was happy to have the treats and the new toys, Although she ended up getting sick and Marcy had to take her to the vet but she recovered quickly.

A gorgeous day for skiing in Keystone

Jude was supposed to open the soccer season this weekend with the Ice Breaker tournament. But due to the snow we have had in Denver the tournament was canceled. So, Jude and I decided to take advantage of all the snow and head up to Keystone for a day of skiing. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and quite warm and the snow was excellent. We had a full day, skiing 20,000 vertical feet including some challenging bump runs in the Outback.

Jude has an altercation with a tree (he was fine)

Meanwhile this weekend Anna had a Girl Scout camp out near Bailey. It was an Olympics theme with each troop representing various different countries, Anna’s was Italy. She won a gold medal in the curling event (with beanbags) which was pretty cool. It wasn’t all fun and games though. We got a call on Saturday night from Anna. She had a bad fall while walking on an icy road and cut her knee. It was bleeding a lot and she was in pain. But she toughed it out and made it home this morning in good spirits.

Curling up with Olive on a Sunday night

Conquering the Manitou Incline

Jude had the week off and he enjoyed a pretty low key week. He went out to his favorite breakfast place one day, and spent a lot of time playing with Olive and Marcy. Then on Friday he and Marcy drove down to the Manitou Incline, the 2,000 foot stairway near Colorado Springs.

Our young lady all dressed up for the school social

I had to pick up Anna from school that day and take her home to get ready for her school social. She was really excited about it and ended up having a great time. Then, right afterwards she went back to a friend’s house for a birthday party and a sleepover. She stayed up most of the night, saying she got to bed around 4am. Needless to say she was tired on Saturday.

Having fun at the sleepover

On Saturday, with Anna out after her sleepover, I gave Jude the choice of skiing or doing the Manitou Incline again for the second time in two days. He chose the Incline. It is such a great workout, Jude bolted up the 2,744 steps in 39 minutes, two minutes faster than his time the day before; I lumbered up 15 minutes behind him. Coming down the trail was tricky, as it was very slippery in places with the snow so we took it slowly.

It feels great to reach the top of the Manitou Incline

Today, we didn’t do much. The kids did their chores in the morning while I caught up on some work. This afternoon we went to Dave & Busters. Anna wanted to go there to celebrate the grades she received last semester. We took the neighbor kids and they all had a blast.

Lighting Anna’s amazing candle she made at the Waldorf Holiday Fair

This evening Anna decided it was time to light the candle she made at the Waldorf Holiday Fair back in December. She made a candle shaped like Santa’s sleigh and it burned brightly.

Jude about to shovel snow off the trampoline

Jude started refereeing kids soccer games last season. He really enjoyed it and was able to earn over $150 over the course of the season at $8 a game. Well, when you turn 13 you can become what is called a “certified referee”. With this extra training comes a big pay raise, to $20 a game.

So, we signed Jude up last week and he did his certification this weekend. This involved about 6 hours of online learning that he did during the week and then a full day on Saturday for the certification. He passed with flying colors and is now a certified referee with U.S. Soccer. He is playing soccer for the Rapids this Spring season so he won’t be able to referee a lot but we should be able to work his schedule so he can do a few games.

Anna making friends at the Cat Cafe

This afternoon Anna went to the Denver Cat Company, which bills itself as a “cat cafe”. This is a cafe that has about 15 cats up for adoption. Of course, Anna called us during her visit begging us to allow her to bring two cats home with her. We said no, one cat is enough for us. But she had a great time playing with all the cats.

Speaking of cats, with our neighbors away this long weekend Anna has been on duty to look after their cat. She takes her job seriously and goes over to feed and play with their cat every morning and evening.

Enjoying the snow day in the park

A couple of snowstorms rolled in this week and it meant a late start on one day and then Friday was a snow day. The kids, of course, were delighted. They spent some time sledding in the park and taking Olive out who continues to just love the snow. We had about a foot of snow for the week.

Olive in full flight at the park

Saturday was actually a nice day, it was sunny and warm so Jude and I were able to get out for our weekly run although it was pretty slippery and slushy. Anna had gymnastics and then we had food group on Saturday. For the first time ever we left Jude and Anna at home as they are both qualified baby sitters now. They did fine, just watching a movie and tv shows.

Absorbed in their devices

Today was another snowy day so after chores we decided to go down to Urban Putt for lunch and some putt putt. It was really crowded so it took a while but we were able to play a basketball game and skee-ball while we waited.

At Urban Golf indoor putt putt

Anna was not feeling great on Friday night so everyone, including Olive, piled in to bed to help her feel better.

Party in Anna’s bed…

Marcy and Anna at the Art Museum

This past week Anna had two days off school so on one of the days Marcy took her to the Denver Art Museum. They wanted to go to the Monet exhibit but it was sold out so they went to the light exhibit and some really cool pieces.

Light effects at the Art Museum

This weekend the weather was gorgeous, unseasonably warm for this time of year. So, we were able to spend a lot of time outside. The kids played in the park with Olive a lot and Jude played football with the neighbors and came home claiming it was too hot. Then they all got set up for a water gun fight, so it almost felt like summer.

Getting ready for a water gun fight

Today was Superbowl Sunday and we had the annual party at our house. But several people were away or sick so it was our smallest gathering ever. It was still a lot fun and it was much easier to manage with fewer people.

Anna gearing up to sell Girl Scout cookies

It is that time of year when the Girl Scout cookies are out. And given Anna is now a Girl Scout she was very keen to begin selling them. She went to her troop leader’s house and ordered 50 boxes and within 24 hours she was nearly sold out.

In Paris for the Paris Fintech Forum

I was away for much of the past two weeks. I spent five days in London and then four days in Paris for work. I managed to get a nice walk around Paris last weekend and sent this photo to Marcy and the kids.

Getting ready for the Packers game

We had another pretty quiet weekend here. Saturday Anna had gymnastics and a birthday party in the evening and she and I went to the mall for a birthday gift and so she could help me pick out some new pants. Jude stayed home and played in the park with Marcy and of course we went for our regular weekend run around Wash Park.

Today was the day Jude had been looking forward to all week. The Packers played the 49ers in the NFC Championship game this evening. We got dressed up in our Packers gear and watched the game. But the 49ers played flawless football, particularly in the first half, and dominated the Packers. Jude was bitterly disappointed and turned to watching Glee for much of the second half.

Mother and daughter with their girl scout sashes

Anna has been doing Girl Scouts now for a few months and she has already added a few badges and pins. This morning Marcy dug out her old sash from 35+ years ago and took this really cute selfie.