
Meg chaperoned AJ's class to the Denver Zoo.
Now look at these super helpful kids!


Yeah I clipped Ryker's ear with the clippers! Blood everywhere. AJ is sweet though.





















This week Ryker got to experience Kindergarten Preview, which allows kids to check out the rooms/teacher/school/play areas/toys/etc. I know that it is isn't ideal to compare kids, but I can't help but notice the differences between AJ and Ryk's kindergarten preview experiences. When I took Ryk he immediately joined in with a table and never looked back at me the whole time. Thirty minutes later Ryker was asking me why he had to leave, "I was just there for a few seconds." I had to console him and remind him that soon enough he would be in school forever. Last time I took AJ he needed a handhold to go to the table, he definitely wasn't interested in talking to other kids, and Russell was around him most of the time.
Let's start with danger. I used to have a scooter in my pre-baby days. The scooter was a beaut but she didn't work that well. After I found out I was pregnant, off she went, and I didn't think I would get one every again. The desire has been there for awhile the past few years, and I finally decided to go for it. After speaking with my police officer buddy and Russell, I convinced myself that I needed to take a Motorcycle Safety Class. I took two days off work, and did one of the scariest things I have ever done...at least in awhile. The classes was very good and informative, but definitely out of my comfort zone. I kept thinking how good it was to be in tune to what my students go through on a daily basis at school! (Always a social worker, I am). Well I managed to pass both the driving and written test, with maybe 2 hours of sleep and now proudly display the M (motorcycle) endorsement on my license. I also passed my eye test at the DMV, which also causes a bit of anxiety. Another story there for another time! This was all a good thing, considering Russell worked his booty off to help me find my perfect scooter. Currently his name is Ron. He comes from the word orange in Spanish= narjana. My helmet arrived this past Friday. I have yet to ride him to work, but I'm hoping that inaugural ride will be soon...next week. 
Moving on to family....I've got the best family ever. My parents came down and celebrated with dinner and ice cream. And they got me the best SPARKLY helmet ever! Lastly they took the kids for the weekend so that I could celebrate College-style my birthday. My in-laws were amazing and gave me cards, and a beautiful bowl and the best quote that I'll keep between us....I'm looking at you MIL. Love. The kids sang happy birthday to me, with the encouragement of Russell. As always so sweet to hear your little ones sing to you:) I think we have most definitely passed along the joy of birthdays.
Russell also helped to arrange a beer trolley tour in our hometown with friends. It was so amazingly awesome.I have gone through various phases of friendships, especially with having kids and moving. This year I was brave and invited friends that I am just starting to get to know, friends that have now become my Colorado framily, and of course my friends that have been around since the college days! I had a great surprise from my Nebraska peeps that brought my dear friends Cristale and Jessie here-and a double surprise that their husbands came too! Thinking about it now, it was such a great night of a collision of all the people that supported me along the way. It's funny, I was super anxious at first because I wanted everyone to feel included and a part of the gang. Funny how I would worry about that, when I have such wonderful people in my life! I also am super motivated to continue on with the lovely friendships I have, and continue to grow my crew. Both the dancing and the trolley left me with feelings of "what happened" the next morning. Would I do it again, absolutely. I know I have more pics of that night.....hum where did they go??? See. See...this is what I'm talking about! Stephanie/Julie/Katie/Whismans/Andy/Julia/Phil/Ember/Amy/Jason....ya'll are the best!
