Cleft Picnic 2015

On Sunday we attended the annual Face to Face picnic. We love this organization started by two young ladies with cleft lip and palates.

Mr. Balloon Guy was here last year and still full of corny jokes. Everyone also got fun tattoos.

The little ones played and played with this mini water park.

Anna met a little friend with bilateral cleft lip and palate from the same province of China as her. With all the Face to Face activities we hope they will become good friends.

We never imagined Becky would be at this picnic as a parent rather than as a sister. But it's s great resource for her.

We decided to a little advertising for Dash for Smiles while having fun with Anna and Elsa. Yes, it never ever ends. Frozen, that is.

This giant dog decided to take a selfie with my camera.

Archery was there again this year.

Arek was on a business trip so Becky came with us.

We look forward to next year!

A New Discovery

We already knew of two places to play in Cherry Creek but we recently discovered a new one and it's closer to our home! One day we stopped at a trailhead near our home. Being on the trail only a few feet we found this.

It turned out to be a little memorial for children that have died. The plaques in the background are all little memorials.

After hiking a little bit, we came across the creek.

Since we were not in bathing wear we decided to just spend a little time trying to catch tadpoles and making plans to come back another time.

That next time was two days later with Becky, Maks, Oli, some neighbors and Charlie!

We wore our bathing suits this time. Well, the kids at least.

Charlie did not seem to feel well all the next day so that will probably be his last trip to the creek. Who knows what he ate, drank or what bit him. But he had so much fun!

Maks may pass Anna in height soon and they are two years apart!

This is probably going to be our go-to creek area from now on. The kids caught lots of small frogs. We do catch and release or catch and try to sneak it in the car, whatever you want to call it.

Tea Party Coop

Yesterday the girls went to a Christina Rosetti tea party coop.

While the girls had muffins, cookies, fruit and tea, a mom read Christina Rosetti poems to them. Mia did not like her black cherry tea, but Anna really enjoyed her orange spice tea.

Afterwards they played in the backyard. Love the sweet, simple coops.

Yesterday, too late for Dash for Smiles, our team hats came in.

We are probably going to have to work on the logo and the hat quality for next time, but for now they'll do.

August 1st is Colorado Day! Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876, hence the Centennial State nickname.

We went to the History Colorado Museum again for the FOURTH time this summer. I think I'm done, truthfully. But it was a free day with lots of extra activities.

There was a sidewalk artist...

...and a blacksmith before we even entered the museum.

The girls panned for gold.

Here is an activity they have never done before: writing with giant markers. I have no idea what it has to do with Colorado but it was fun!

We love this Model T exhibit. What you can't see is the screen in front of the car that shows where you are driving and what the roads and problems were like 100 years ago.

Anna is exceptionally proud of her bravery and being able to go up to large characters now!

On our way out we stopped and petted the alpacas. I must say they were soooo cute!

Happy Birthday Colorado!

Dash for Smiles

We all participated in Dash for Smiles this year, a fundraiser to benefit the cleft lip/palate programs at Rose Medical (where Oli and Anna go) and Childrens Hospital. Our team was Chopsticks and Perogies!

Our friends and family all showed up for the event.

Thanks Bill and Dawn...

...and Mike and Jill

...and Sheri and Bob

...and Deirdre, Greg, Gabby and her friend, Allie.

It was a very hot day and so...

...we might have cheated just a bit and taken a short cut. But none of us were in medal contention!

Afterwards, the adults headed to the beer garden and the kids to the snow cone machine and playground.

Maks was amazed by his shadow.

We so appreciate everyone who came to walk with us that day and for everyone who made a donation. This is the fourth most common birth defect and doctors still know very little about it!

Summer Lovin'

The weather has been hot around here lately. Love it. We sometimes even eat breakfast outside on the deck.

Mia has lost her first baby tooth. Her permanent teeth have already come in behind the baby teeth and the dentist says that is okay. The small teeth would eventually fall out and he was right. She has four permanent teeth so far!

We have really been enjoying splash fountains with the hot weather. Anna feels the need to wear goggles at any wet activity.