Early December 2017

This is the first year we took on the Colder Boulder as a family. I ran as a bandit because Clifton didn't register me initially and then when he went to register me, it was sold out. It's the most rebellious thing I've ever done in my life. 'Cause I'm getting wild in my old age.

On the drive there, Naomi said, "I hope I see Miss Tucker (her kindergarten teacher) there," which seemed pretty unlikely. That she'd be there, and that we'd see her in that sea of people. But sure enough, half way through the race Miss Tucker comes up alongside her. It made her day.

She's getting official, folks. Clifton's pretty psyched to have a kid who likes races. For the record, the other girls did good too, but don't seem as into the competition of it. No pennies in pockets for this race.

Can't walk past this without climbing all over it.

Our post-race family pic.

Naomi and Annika were part of the all school spelling bee.

There had already been grade level spelling bees and the top five kids from each grade were sent to the all school bee.

They studied really hard, and were feeling pretty nervous to do this one in front of the rest of the school, especially Annika. I found that my natural instinct was to tell her not to worry because a second grader almost certainly wasn't going to win the all school bee when competing against fourth and fifth graders. It's a good thing I didn't...

...because here she is with the big kids in the top five for the school! 

(One thing I hate about blogs and facebook is the unrealistic happy filter that gets put on things. So to bring a dose of reality to our school life: we sometimes cry at math; sitting down to do homework is a struggle; punctuation is like pulling teeth. But this day? This was a good day for this little girl!)

This is just a normal day in our house any more: doing homework with feet on the table.

Christmas pic 2017!

Out to dinner with our good friends John and Val who aren't nearly this blurry in person.

Jingle Bell Run with the girls' school. Earning some miles for 100 Mile Club.

Naomi and her friend Mac made these rock people as Christmas decorations for people in a nursing home who might not otherwise have Christmas decorations. Because everyone needs a rock.

Preschool Arts Night -- because nothing is cuter than a bunch of preschoolers doing a million different things at once.

Longmont Christmas parade of lights with Mac and the Parsons!

The best part is always the Mexican dancers and the dancing horses.

Sarah and her best bud Ellie at school. Sadly Ellie is going to a different school for kindergarten. Which one of you is going to break it to Sarah?

After a week of nightly rehearsals, we are all ready for Nutcracker 2017!

Naomi was part of the Cavalry. Annika was a small solider.

So much sass already. Also, that's liquid eyeliner. Talk about terrifying. I needed a tutorial.

Getting ready to go on stage with the rest of the Cavalry. Wendy is staying in character with that lack of smile. It's about eight moms and 40 kids with many costume changes and lots of hair and make up in a band room for a few hours... Good times.

Naomi was also a Gingerbread Girl, a role she had been wanting for a few years.

The rest of the crew. We're missing one boy, because he's actually a boy. So he's with the boys.

And one last costume change to become a forest creature.

And this is what it looks like waiting in the wings. Annika is the middle soldier across the stage. (P.S. Taking illegal photos backstage is the second most rebellious thing I've ever done. It's been a wild month for me.)

In the other cast she was a trumpeter which was a more fun role for her.

Naomi waiting to go on stage as Cavalry during Battle scene.

And off she goes, doing her horsey thing.

On stage during Gingerbread scene.

A view from the back of the auditorium for this scene.

As a forest creature bringing Clara out during Waltz of the Snowflakes.

When not ready to go on backstage, this is how we spend our time. Crafts, iPads, giggling.

There is a lot of really fun energy when waiting just before going on stage. Energy that I'm supposed to keep quiet. But it's still less work than being a mom of those angels!

Naomi and Ella all ready for the finale!

So much love with friends seeing the show--the Hites come every year.

And the moms and daughters of our small group at church...

Uncle Dave and Aunt Val never miss it either.

And Erin and Mac came and saw the last show. (Like Annika's fashion glasses?)

Celebrating the end of months of hard practice after the last show with a hot chocolate!

The start of winter break! When there isn't enough snow to make a snow man, you might make a snow mound. Who plays for Gryffindor. With his melting M&M eyes.