benny and the jets

Ryan has begun a thrilling new activity for Ben!! It's something this germ-a-phobe mama would never have begun but something I'm so glad Ryan and Ben can share.......

are you stumped??

Here are some hints......

 a better clue......

that's our bathroom

drumroll.....

 

Only one thing creates such copious bubbles from Ben's hippie kid soap and that is the bathtub jets.  While I love a good soak in a hot-tub with jets on high I've always steered away from using them in our tubs at home, (though we've always had them,) because I've feared the germs swarming in the water that never fully drains from them.  I realize it's likely an irrational phobia, but I'm quite thrilled Ryan's willing to be the resident germ-stirrer.  He turns them on secretly so Ben never turns them on without water in the tub and we've established that "only Daddy can do the jets," so I don't have to be a part of it.  Ben absolutely squeals with delight at the jets, and in the top pictures, had snuck out of the tub to run through the house covered in bubbles.  The only thing missing is Uncle Joe who has always done the absolute best rendition of Benny and the Jets for Ben's amusement.

Aunt Kathy

On Monday April 14th, Ryan's aunt Kathy passed away from complications of cancer.  She was uncle John's former wife and mom to cousins Christopher and Kathleen.  A loving and fitting tribute to her life was enjoyed by family and friends yesterday.  As one of her high school friends put it so well, there were many people from many times, places, and parts of Kathy's life who came together to celebrate her.  I am hopeful our family can now come together to support Christopher and Kathleen as they grieve the loss of their mother.   I am thankful Kathy is at peace and out of pain. Kathy clearly touched the lives of many and will be very missed.

Kathleen Cecilia DeFino

September 9, 1949 - April 14, 2014

Kathleen Cecilia DeFino was born in Buffalo, New York, September 9, 1949 and died April 14, 2014 in Littleton, Colorado. Loving mother to Christoper and Kathleen Stramel. Loving daughter of Anthony (deceased) and Mary DeFino. Dedicated sister of seven. Aunt to 30 and great aunt to 34. Former wife of John Stramel.

Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and was a Nurse Practitioner. Kathy joined American Airlines in 1976. She retired in February after 38 devoted years. She loved her American Airlines family.

Visitation, 1PM, Wednesday, April 23, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 2PM, both at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary, 12801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
 

Easter

Rawwwwrrrrrrr!

Oh you haven't heard of the Easter t-rex?  The Easter Bunny left a dinosaur in Ben's basket which he hid in his fort on top of his new reading-nook pads.  He also left the requested cookies, a new Pete the Cat book and the Zingo sight words game. 

I decorated the play-set with eggs Ben and I painted the week before.

Ben slept pretty late this Easter morning which allowed us to get lots set up for the brunch we were hosting at 10:30.  I got up extra early so we'd have plenty of time to enjoy the morning as a family and discover what the bunny had left for Ben.

 

The big bubble wand was Ben's favorite surprise in his basket.

 I kept this year's brunch more casual with buffet-serving and seat-yourself tables.  It allowed more time to make the 4 garlands ;) and was nice that everyone could just eat when they wanted.

The first guests arrived right before 10:30 and we were blessed with an evening visit from out-of-town friends so the fun lasted until nearly 8pm.  We had lots to eat and drink and I planned chips and ham-sandwich accoutrement for people who might want a post-brunch snack or an "afternoon round 2."

Baby Luke sporting his fancy fedora.

 

<3 <3 <3

The neighbors had a lemonade stand and the boys enjoyed them in the fort.

The Heimer's friend Marty joined the fun.

Baby boy Hartje is due next week!!

I remembered the boys getting warm fast last year and decided to take the Easter finery down a notch.

Ben is just a lower leg away from being taller than his Tante.

 

 Ben slept in but didn't slow down a bit all morning and by 11:30........

...oh he was such a tired monkey. :(

the boys enjoyed their annual egg hunt (Ben DID NOT inherit my competitive gene ;)

who needs to hunt when you can hug?

sister and brother and their boys :)

This Easter was another delightful one filled with the blessings of friends, family and laughter.  The expected rain never came and the more casual time-frame and food serving made for a more enjoyable day for everyone.  I hope hosting this special day at the Heimer Haus is one we can continue and hope the unexpected guests only increase in the years to come.

floating fun

On Sunday afternoon, as the snow fell... and fell...... and fell, we dyed Easter eggs for THE FIRST TIME! I could hardly believe we hadn't done this with Ben but then remembered we'd hosted big gatherings for 3 of his 4 Easters (including this one,) and dying eggs always fell out of the must-do category.  I was actually happy for the weather that forced us inside and to a really fun family activity.   Ben had a blast and emphatically pronounced, "the egg is floating Daddy!," after each one he or we dropped in.  He even had more patience than I did for waiting out a deeper color on the first batch before he interest began to wane on the second.  He repeated the colors back and forth down the line over and over and was excited to see the finished products.  I keep trying to tell him about the Easter bunny and ask about requests.  So far he wants, "cookies and one very special present."  When I inquire about the special present his response is, "cookies!" Got that Mr. E.B.??
This particular dye kit was sports themed but the eggs were too big for the clings.  We have another set with glitter, (did someone say sparkle?) that we might have to test on this week's forecast rainy days.

from where I stand

....things are so different from a year ago.  I never thought I'd derive so much joy from simply doing dishes. Yes, don't blot your eyes, on this evening the dishes were a joyful affair.  Getting to do the dishes while Ben is playing with Ryan is a treat because for a long time the dishes were a place of guilt- they were this thing I had to do in the evenings while Ben entertained himself.  Don't get me wrong, all kiddos need to entertain themselves, but the evening feels like this sacred part of family time to me.  That sacred feeling might be unfounded or off-base, but it's how I feel.  There's certainly A LOT of emotion tied up in last year at this time and how much Ryan was working.  I just wanted to capture this moment because it offered the value of PERSPECTIVE.  It is proof that things can and do change and will serve as a good reminder the next time we're in the midst of a chaotic work project and all hope seems lost.  I will say things would not be as different today had I not stuck up for our family and demanding respect for family time.  Balance is fleeting but so are months in the grand scheme of life.  Perspective really is priceless and I hope for our family that the value of this lesson-learned is not soon forgotten.


On this gorgeous Friday evening in April, I had the windows and doors opened wide, the music blasting, the dishes clinking, and the tears flowing down my cheeks as the giggles of Ben and his Dad from the swing-set interrupted it all. 

#springunbreak

Spring break this year quickly earned the hashtag "springunbreak."  Not having my couple of hours a day to get things done lost it's novelty quickly but was really great practice for the fast-approaching Summer when things will be this way everyday. for. months.  I've been tossing around Summer entertainment and "lesson-plans" if you will, for a couple months, and lots of my ideas worked well.   I even managed to make it until 4 and 5 pm on a couple of days before ever turning to TV or a movie.

Monday started with piano at Swallow Hill and lunch with MeeMee after piano didn't go so well.  I haven't blogged about it yet because the first class was amazing but no class since has been the same in terms of schedule or success, but I will. 

Throughout the rest of the week we enjoyed a Tante lunch-date and downtown exploring,  a play-date picnic with neighbor Joey who's mama recently became a SAHM-whoo hooo!, snow-tubbing, Jumpstreet with Whole Foods lunch and playground, airport building, plenty of snuggling, ccoking, swinging, and a handful of tantrums, too.  The fun was plentiful and the tantrums few and though it was tough, I have renewed hope that we can have a fun, adventure-filled Summer with a little mindful planning on my part.  The best days were packed with busy and a little forethought and prep went a long way in insuring we were both smiling at the end of the day. 

Tante's Davita building from afar.

The playground at REI.

The sculptures were great for playing and for contemplating life.

Ben learned how to take selfies. :)

He was an amazing help with our roasted veggie tacos.

He loved this make-shift book nook in his play-fort.  I wrote the Easter Bunny and let him know it might make a great gift.

aforementioned "snow-tubbing" When Spring Break hands you a snow day, you get creative!

 

 here's a video of the tubbing

our airport

We capped the week with a visit to Coors Field on opening weekend which was a first for this mama.  Thanks to a partnership with Denver public Schools, we scored a great deal on tickets for the Rockies second home game of the season.  The weather wasn't great but the rain stayed away and we made it through more of the night game than I'd imagined we would. Cole, Grace, Sara and Tante joined in the fun.  Coors field does have a great little playground for restless kiddos and Ryan and I took Ben and the girls to play just when all the action happened but the crisp spring air and happy kids made us smile with delight.  I will say watching 3 kiddos at a crowded playground was tough and I found myself counting them on repeat the whole time, 1...2....oh, where's S-there she is....1...2, 3-exhausting!

Failed attempt at mama/kid/skyline selfie.

  

We rode the e-train and Ben took down an entire footlong hot-dog. :)

Daddy's excitement over Ben's first cotton-candy.

Ryan and I decided we'll have a Rockies date night/afternoon soon.