We Rode the Train!

We rode the train from Silverton to Durango today.

All I can say is... there was a lot of excitement to get ON the train... and... after that... not so much. Alex fell asleep in my lap 30 minutes in and Max busied himself with playing checkers on my iphone and running back and forth to get hot chocolate. Free refills!!!!! AND he got to cross 2 cars to get to the snack car! Should I be worried that his favorite part was finding out that there was a snack car?

He also ended up having to poop during the ride. After what seemed like an abnormally long time - he finally emerged from the bathroom and announced - VERY LOUDLY- that the bathroom was AMAZING!!! Afterwards, he proceeded to tell everyone in our car (they couldn't help hearing) about the toilet... and how it worked... and about how big his poop was... and that it was in the shape of a horse shoe... and IT STILL WENT DOWN when he pushed his foot to flush it!!!

I can't even begin to describe what it's like... getting used to those sorts of public conversations...

Anyway, since Alex was on my lap most of the way I just sort of sat there and watched the gorgeous scenery fade in and out. It was actually very relaxing... and then... after watching everyone bounce from one window to another - taking thousands of photos... I thought... shit... I guess I should get one too... so I stuck the camera out the window and snapped this shot towards the end. I think it'll do.

Poolside

So far, our swimming outings this summer have been more about the lunch picnic and playing Uno on our towels than about actually swimming - which is just fine with me. My goal this summer is to RELAX and just enjoy being with the kids - no matter what we're doing. So far, so good.

Garden Goodies

I don't think boys ever get tired of playing with hoses. He was supposed to be watering thirsty plants, but that apparently doesn't have the same appeal as watching the water ricochet off the fence...
Trying not to step on newly planted seedlings behind all of that spinach that over wintered... we currently have A LOT of spinach...
Picking the first of the sugar snap peas. Everyday he walks around the garden sampling the herbs and greens... he loves it all!
Only Daddy can make her laugh like this...
Dan is freaking out that they are both IN his garden, but look, he's handling it beautifully. Notice all of that spinach behind him... did I mention we have A LOT of spinach right now?!
Our very own Awkward Family Photo...
Looking for asparagus worms to squish... you haven't lived 'til you've had worm juice splattered in your face!

Shhhhh! Kitty's Sleeping!

I came down the stairs this afternoon to find Alex putting Kitty down for a nap on the coffee table. She was turning her little music box so that Kitty would have a lullaby before sleeping...

Be still my heart.

Then she demanded, in loud whisper, that EVERYONE BE QUIET! Honestly, the house is never as tranquil as when Kitty is sleeping.

The look the feel of summer.

I was feeling like a rockin' camp counselor yesterday as we checked items off the TO DO LIST. We even washed the outsides of the windows and went to gymnastics!!!

But then Max informed me last night that the list wasn't just for yesterday... it's for EVERYDAY this summer.

Of course it is. Why would he ever expect any less?

The First Day of Summer Vacation Kicked My Ass

And this is the TO DO LIST Max made for today:

Bike Ride
Swim
Games
Library
Ice Cream Shop
Crab walk Race
Obstacle Race
Play Tennis
Kick my soccer ball (He spells soccer SOCKER because, he says, "I am a much better speller than you are!")
Watch TV
Movie
Lakeside Amusement Park

Am I going to make it? Doubtful.

North Table Mtn. Hike

We went for a short hike over the weekend...
I'm just going to go stand by the edge of this cliff over here...
She refuses to wear short sleeve shirts or shorts - no matter how hot it is. To say that my kids despise change would probably be the biggest understatement of the century.
I love her in this hat though.

Not one whine about being tired. An absolute record. In fact, they ran a lot of the way! Sometimes I really, really like that they're growing up...