Backyard zoo

Even though we live in the heart of suburbia, our backyard is teeming with critters.

Some are invited. 

Some are not. 

This one only visits occasionally.

This one was imported from the park.

No, not the kid--I'm talking about the caterpillar!

June 2011

Golf camp

Seth signed the kids up for golf camp.  

Ryan was not amused.

He said, "I don't want to go to golf camp."  Then he said, " I hate golf.  If you make me go to golf camp, I will make your life miserable."  For the next two days he grumbled and crabbed and did just that.

It didn't work.  We still made him go to golf camp.

And guess what?  He liked it.  He really liked it!  

Yesterday was the last day of golf camp and the campers got to play at round of golf at Center Hills Golf Course in Aurora.  Ryan and James were part of a foursome that also included Zach and R'ron.

Gary escorted them around the course...

and gave them some pointers.

It's going in! It's going in!

Darn!  Nevermind. 

Ryan can putt, too...

but he prefers driving!

An action shot--you can see the ball in the upper left hand corner. 

The Center Hills Golf Course is fairly rustic with some unusual hazards...

but it's the perfect place for young golfers to hone their skills.

Both boys are eager to return to golf camp next summer, and with form like this, that's probably a good thing!

June 2011

Today at the dog park

Today I took Nate, Delilah, James, Maggie, Ryan...

and Darcy to the leash free area section of Cherry Creek State Park.

It was a hot day, so we spent most of our time in the water.

There are...

a lot...

of different ways...

to enjoy...

a creek!

Uh oh, it looks like the boys have found something...

It's a crawdad!

Stop poking it, James!

In addition to all that water, this park also has some good climbing trees.

Darcy can climb, too!

And of course there are lots of dogs to play with.

Flying Darcy.

June 2011

Pay attention to me!

Poor Maggie.  I bet she misses the white dog sometimes.

June 2011

Old man hat

Seth drove up to Berthoud Pass to play in the snow and came home sunburned.  The next day, he went golfing and came home with what he referred to as his "first old man hat."  He has started wearing the hat every time he works in the yard.

Does he look like an old man to you?

June 2011

Summer reading club

We went to the library today and the boys signed up for the summer reading club.

It won't be long before they claim their first prizes! 

June 2011

Continuation

Today was Ryan's last day as a student at Highline Community School.   It's been nearly six years since I dropped him for his first day of kindergarten.  I was dry eyed back then, but not so much today!

Rather than hold a "graduation" the school had a "continuation ceremony" for the exiting fifth grade class.  Ryan was one of the first students to walk in...

which meant he was seated behind a wall of taller children.  Oh well!

Each child was called up individually... 

to receive his or her "diploma". 

They received hugs and handshakes from the fifth grade teaching team before returning to their seats.

After the ceremony, everyone headed back to the classroom for punch and cookies.  Ryan showed off his diploma... 

and posed for pictures with his friends.  This is Jayson... 

and this is Matthew. 

He also took some time to say goodbye to some of his favorite teachers.  These included his science teacher Mr Hinton,

his kindergarten, second grade and fifth grade teacher Ms Allen, 

his fourth and fifth grade homeroom teacher Ms Stark,  

and his Gifted and Talented teacher Ms Velasquez. 

Goodbye Highline and thanks for the memories!

June 2011