In anticipation of overnight freezes (though forget overnight, today is freezing), we decided to tend to the garden and save that which is frost sensitive. We meaning Ryan and Emmett, not I. I was making dinner. I actually have proven to be a bit of a nay-sayer this summer when it comes to gardening, something to the tune of "there's not enough sun here or water and it's too much work for the output". . . Unfortunately I am known by the locals of 2411 for such negative truisms and lack-luster gardening energy. My attitude has gradually been changing, however, as what at first seemed like meager beginnings has turned into a Kale and Collard fest, with a bit of red cabbage and tomato thrown in for color. I do love my greens. So do the kids for that matter. Them was the planned plants. The great surprise of the season came in an earthy orange tone! Charlie Brown was right, the Great Pumpkin exists! Just when you think that spring hail has doomed your season, out from the flagstone patio pops a prickly vine of unknown origin, plotting to take over your entire south-facing wall! What Providence when the mystery squashes become bulbous, developing into green then orange globes!!!!! This plant brought not only smiles, but pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup to our mouths. Better still, when the vine is removed, what appears but a sheltered, lone cucumber plant, whose friends had been destroyed by the freezing pellets that be. Furthermore, fingerling potatoes and strawberry starts found protection in the parasol-like leaves of our squash-in-residence. So thank you Great Pumpkin for your bountiful gifts. (I failed to mention that our household compost bucket often found itself tipped over in that very location, waiting for somebody to empty her). Thus, Emmett found himself contentedly cleaning homegrown produce in our chaotic kitchen yesterday evening. I'll finish with a direct quote from the 6 year-old himself: "It's definitely worth it, planting, and then you have a big feast. It's definitely worth it."
Where to start? How about the fact that it snowed today, but I am choosing to ignore that fact for a moment. It seems that immediately after my last post, school began and life changed quickly. How to fit in all those adventures not yet attempted? We felt that the annual "Deanna can't seem to get enough of Buffalo Peaks" trip was in order. However, due to joint ailments cursing my then 33 year-old body, we needed to make a slight modification to the typical plan: A Car! The Buckin' Beast of a Bronco to be exact. And so we drove, and the kids slept, in the fabulous Ford.
One of the bestest things about the area is the vast amount of variation in the ecosystems. Up there in the background, you can tell that the peaks breach tree line, there are high alpine meadows, conifer forests, and lots of lush valleys, home to our second favorite, and second largest rodent: the Great Brown Beaver! For those of you wondering what the largest rodent is, ask Emmett, he'll be happy to expound (I'll give you a hind, they are the preferred meal of the Anaconda). Emmett enjoys simulating the life of the Beav.
I must say, not having to carry a huge backpack full of stuff for miles on end does wonders for the amount of crap that one can schlep along. Stuffed animals for example. Also, both Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, the final two books in the Twilight Saga (and let me tell you, they are not slim volumes). Lots of fresh undies as well. All joking aside, the presence of a gas guzzling vehicle did little to diminish our enjoyment of the fresh air. Hunter and Em still climbed trees, ran through streams, created worlds beyond our own, and inhabited them fully. In fact, Emmett can be quoted as saying, "Why can't we just walk into the forest and not come back?" I rest my case. Perhaps one day they will find a 94 Bronco giving itself back to the Earth in reparation for the fuel-inefficient crimes it committed and the Sanders Family no where to be found. Where else can a boy create a chipmunk trap, a gal make a home for fairies and a dog exist within a ball of flame?
On another note, school is once again in full swing, half way through the first quarter to be exact. We celebrated the new year with an appropriately colored cake, sure to bring smiles and stained tongues to all who partook. Fortunately, the cake worked and the school year has been a great success. Hunter charged right into challenging work, and despite initial protests that she wasn't going to be 
smart enough, earned for her lowest grade so far, a 95. Emmett absolutely loves his school and is now in an elementary class with first through third graders, which is exciting to him. He begged his teacher for homework and finally got some and just sat there getting ahead of the required two pages!? Thank goodness this school thing is working for them, as it takes a total of two hours out of my day to drive the dears to and fro. We do have multiple ways to decompress after all of this serious business: Piano lessons, running club, ballet/modern dance, pottery, lacrosse, rock climbing, sewing, yard work and various forms of hooliganism. See for yourself: 
Wow! So I cannot believe that only two weeks remain of what promised to be an endless summer. Between camp, the west coast and the east coast, I feel that we have just begun to relax. Alas, time always exists to squeeze in just a wee more adventure. I promise to post photos of our trips, but for now, how about basking in the glory that is Colorado, as this blog is dedicated to our fabulous landlocked state. Landlocked, but not without water. Witness the following.
Yes, that is Emmett jumping from a concrete pier into the Arkansas River during our canoe/tubing trip on Sunday. While I do not endorse this activity, his father seems to think that risk taking builds character and Emmett is proving himself to be a lad brimming with character. My sweet Hunter on the other hand needs a bit more coaxing, as she tends to consider the consequences of her actions (that lovely egg doesn't fall too far from my happy little basket).
For the record, I did not jump. Great surprise there. Despite my lack of understanding for what an adrenaline rush is, I am happy that Ryan encourages the kids to try things that push them beyond their comfort level.
Let it be known that even Aunty Dawn, who accompanied us on this trip, confronted her fear of all things wild and traipsed through overgrown, potentially rattlesnake infested territory, to position herself on the top of the pier and take the plunge. Unfortunately, all that I captured of this feat on film was her skilled retrieval of a perfectly edible banana lost in the swirling torrents of the river.
Before the Work BeginsSo, what do you do when no amount of water can green a sloping lawn in Colorado and you are a fit, young, do-it-yourselfing engineer who is familiar with landscaping? Rent heavy equipment and order 10 tons of rock, of course! Thus the story begins and ends all in one weekend. We had been pondering this water-wasting situation for years and waiting for the right moment and ideas to pop into our heads, and out of the blue, Ryan was ready to take it on. I mention this because one truth that I have discovered of late is that no amount of blatant nagging nor subtle hinting can motivate an independent man. He is his own being and will do it and do it well when the time comes. Another interesting learning moment came when several Virgoan men crawled out of their cozy homes just to be able to play in a pile of large rocks (and help a neighbor), in the rain no less! (So thank you friends). Some things never change from toddler to adult: stubbornness and the allure of buiding materials. So, yes we have an enviable wall that looks natural and not overly wrought (our preferred aesthetic), complete with a swale that will capture rain water from the limited precipitation we do get. I must mention that neighbors from all along Virgo stopped in passing to comment, congratulate and praise the work ethic of the man we call Sanders. Furthermore, and lending to his new superhero status, the entire weekend produced record torrents of rain and hail, with little reprieve. There were moments when Ryan and his trusty shovel had to create safe channels for waterflow despite the lightning and psychotic rain. I will be the first to admit that I did very little other than cheerlead and anticipate all of the new places for installing xeric plants. As the finish work is completed, I will update with more photos. Enjoy!
Almost Done!
Regrettably, I seldom post to the blog. However, this video clip made by Emmett on my digital camara cracks me up every time so I decided to share it with you all. It is possible that I am overly enamoured with my guileless son, but he just looks too comical to be a real boy. Judge for yourself.
Meanwhile in Suburbia . . . Lacrosse has taken a hold on our family: Hunter joined the Cheyenne Mountain Girls Lacrosse team. At first I was unsure if I could handle the psychological effects of team sports (on me), then I wondered if I should support a sport where middle aged girls wear shorts befitting a toddler and spaghetti straps in 50 degree weather (mind you, that was during practice only). Being a Mom, I felt the most important thing to do was support my daughter's decision to join the team. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Hunter wields her stick well. Believe it or not, she is quite a defender, getting in the faces of the girls trying to score goals! More importantly, she wants to play next season as well, despite having to play games in freezing rain, mist, and wind! In Denver, to boot! The lesson here is, you never know until you go for it. May I remember this in the future. So . . . here is a picture of her scooping the ball. There are more to come, she has games this weekend and next!
