Colorado Trip - Good and BAD!

I told Michele I'd love to come to Colorado and visit her but after we meet and have dinner, there isn't much left to do. So when I found out Courtney was making the trip to visit her parents, I decided to go.

Michele had us moving the whole time I was there. The first day was a presentation of Footloose at a local community theater. Being an avid Footloose fan, I was rather disappointed they focused more on the preacher aspect of the movie as opposed to the dancing. They made up their own words to songs - some of my favorites. I kept turning to Courtney and saying "that's not the right words" or "that's not how the movie went". Overall the production was very entertaining.

The next day we went paddle boarding. Courtney has done this before and is 30 years younger than me and Michele so I consider her a pro.

But Michele will try anything and was able to stand up.

Me, on the other hand, hung desperately to the board just praying I wouldn't fall into the freezing water.

The next morning I woke up early (like 3:30 early) and decided to head on home. About 2 hours from Aurora, I ran over some big rig tire debris which tore up the underside of my car taking out my entire cooling system. While my car is screaming at me to stop, I'm coasting down an exit in Burlington, CO, praying I get off the busy interstate.

What do you do when you're put in that situation? You call Jamie Taylor. As I was trying to explain what happened through my tears, Jamie was hooking up his trailer to come get me. I told him I was in Burlington to which he replied that it wasn't that far away. He was thinking Burlington, KS. When I said it was Burlington, CO, I think he started unhooking the trailer! After an 864 mile round trip, my car is safely at the dealership waiting to be repaired. It's going to be awhile before I head back to Colorado. Maybe next time I should consider flying!

Goldie Sits Up

Well she finally did it.

With everyone trying to get Goldie to sit up and her constant falling over, she finally sat up long enough to look at a book. Or did Melissa throw the book at her and rush to get a picture before she fell over. Either way, we have a sitter! 

New Set of Wheels

Goldie loves to be outside but at only (almost) 6 months old, she's not mobile. Carrying her around is the only option. Not only is this inconvenient at times but she doesn't always like to be held.

So I thought I'd get her a set of wheels. She can't navigate the walker yet but it does give her the freedom to sit up and watch what everyone is doing. She can push back the walker but I'm sure she has no idea what she's doing. Maybe in another month she'll be flying through the house and down the driveway!

Goldie's First Tooth

Goldie's been having a terrible time napping the past few days - or could it be weeks - you'd have to ask Melissa.

Today we found out one of the reasons was she popped through her first tooth.

Hopefully soon we'll be able to get a picture of her smiling showing off her pearly white without Melissa's fingers in the way! 

Sunday Showcase - Father's Day

Father's Day was a great excuse to have a bar-b-cue and swim day at the Taylor's.

I know my Sunday Showcases are usually about my house but I thought why not show off the Taylor's pool. The water was actually very warm. But after a few hours, the skin on my fingers and toes began to wrinkle so it was time for me to say farewell.

Happy Father's Day Jamie. I couldn't pick a better person for the father of my grandchildren.

Violet's Book Club

Violet has joined a summer book club with some of her school friends. They usually hold meetings in the library but since the room was booked, one of her friends offered to host at her house. Nine 9-year olds at someone's house turns into more of a play date than book club meeting.  Add to that the mother served snacks so the sugar rush wasn't helping. After 10 minutes of total and utter chaos, I was ready to snatch Violet up and take her home. Thankfully one of the mothers stepped in and gained control of the meeting.

It still wasn't completely controlled but what can you except from little girls. Violet is so well behaved that she and one of her friends were the only ones who remained seated through the entire meeting and actually acted as though they were interested. I still think this is a great idea for social as well as learning experiences.  But I may be "busy" on days when the library room is booked!

 

Water Bottle Tradition Continues

There's no better or cheaper toy for a baby than an empty water bottle.

Goldie has continued in the Taylor family tradition of playing with an empty water bottle. I can remember when we first gave one to Violet. Melissa was appalled until she saw how well it soothed her. Not a bad toy after all!