Denver "Fake-end"

I know you are all curious as to what I have been up to! Well, last week I was recovering from VBS overload, so I didn't do much- other than laundry!

 Sunday was Father's Day, so we spoiled Joel, and then Monday my grandparents stopped by for the night on their way to Missouri.

Joel has this week of off school (although unfortunately, not work!) so we decided to run up to Denver on the only two days he will have off together all summer!

I decided that it wasn't really a "stay-cation", because we stayed in a hotel. It was more like a weekend, in the middle of the week. So, I dubbed it a fake weekend, or a "fake-end"- you like?

We had a wonderful, relaxing time. Joel used part of his Father's Day gift, a gift card to "The Art of Shaving" and he got a professional straight razor shave. He loved it. Kind of like a pedicure for guys.

I shopped. And shopped. And shopped some more! I bought this delicious yellow cardigan. And paid full price! But it was from Forever 21 so it was a whopping $13. I have big plans for this little sweater.

How, I ask you, can you not love a store where the jewelry starts at $1.50?!! I could not resist picking up a couple more pieces to add to my collection. You can hardly buy a soda for that price, and trust me, I get a lot more compliments on my necklaces than my beverage choices.

We also spent some quality time at Ikea. I know that sounds like a funny statement, but when there is free childcare, we consider it quality time. Besides, I found the most perfect curtains for my living room. I have sloooowly been changing things over in there. These were my curtains before:

Hard to see in the picture, hard to appreciate in real life. They are brown, which matches nothing, because I prefer black. Satin, which is so not me, and plain. They were cheap, and they covered the window. But then I found these:

Can I just say love? They need hemming, but they are the perfect colors and they are so much more cheerful and eye-catching than the old ones. They make me happy.

After all our shopping we checked in to our hotel and did some swimming. After that we went to dinner, did a little more shopping (I know, I have a problem) and then came back and did some more swimming. It was a good thing we got all our swimming in the first day, because it was 90 degrees on Tuesday and only 65 on Wednesday morning. Typical Colorado weather!

We went to H&M and trolled the 16th Street Mall. I refrained from buying anything-aren't you proud of me? The kids thought it was fun to ride the trolley, and we all enjoyed some Starbucks-perfect for a slightly damp, chilly, summer morning. Here are my favorite people with their "coffee":

We thought it was hilarious that there was a Starbucks on every corner. There are at least 4 within 3/4 of a mile. And they are all busy! We weren't ashamed to add to the revenue stream.

We headed home, swung by the outlet mall, and finished out our shopping themed trip with a stop at Costco, where I found this:



May I just say that samples work? I don't like cheddar popcorn, but the caramel corn in there is worth the whole bag! Tasty stuff.

Anyway, it was delightful to get away with our little family. Joel won't get a true vacation this year, but it was nice to pretend. The kids thought swimming was the greatest-especially at night when we had the pool to ourselves. We decided we definitely need more fake-ends.;)

A Wonderful "Wicked" Time

 Waaaay back in November my dear friend, Kristan, said, "Do you want to go to "Wicked" with me?". I had really only heard a few mentions of the play, but immediately I agreed. It is fun to do...well pretty much anything and everything with Kristan. And this was no exception!

We drove up to Denver and were so excited to see all the banners advertising it! I didn't bring my camera because I didn't want to drag it around all night, and I knew we wouldn't be able to take photos in the theater. So, you are privileged to get more not-so-great phone pics. You can still see Elphaba's green face though!

We made sure to leave *really* early to avoid traffic. And we did such a good job that we had plenty of time to enjoy wandering 16th St. It would have been more fun if it had not been "National Legalize Pot Day"- really! I am not well experienced with marijuana...but I am pretty sure we were treated to the smell more than once! Oh well, it definitely made it unique...

 We decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. I had a very tasty burger, and as a joke I took a photo of it-because isn't that what bloggers do? The burger was good, but the fries were delicious! Kristan and I had a great time cracking up over the music- especially when they dragged out Depeche Mode, and a Beastie Boys song. See, I said she makes everything fun!

We even had time to run into H & M. If you have never been to one, it is basically the Ikea of clothing. Fashionable, European, and cheap! I really restrained myself and only purchased a couple of things for Josie. But I will definitely be going back.

 Then it was time for the main event! I had to snap a shot of the iconic poster. If you are not familiar with the story it is about the Wicked Witch of the West- before she was wicked. It is absolutely delightful and I would go again in a heartbeat!

 Always having fun! I was so amused that I could reverse the camera on my phone to get a semi- decent (and very smiley) pic of me and my BFF.

The show was fabulous- although Glinda absolutely stole the show. She was charming and funny and just adorable. The set was gorgeous and we had wonderful seats. Good job, Kristan!  All of the performers did an terrific job, and I love, love orchestra music. Kristan bought the sound track and we enjoyed a "repeat" performance on the way home. I am ready to buy tickets to see something else...hint, hint, Kristan!:)

A Day in Denver

We decided to take a last minute trip to Denver last week. We wanted to visit the Denver Science and Nature Museum one last time before it isn't free for us anymore. (Losing our military discount is making me very sad!) And I wanted to go to IKEA-of course! We started out in the dinosaur area. It makes Joel crabby that I have to go on and on about how bogus evolution is, but that is just so ridiculous! However, I did think the display above was quite pretty (even if it is total fiction...)

Jocelyn is really getting into exhibits now that she has learned to read. She was very interested in everything.

Our fearless map-reader. Yes, he is as lost as he looks, but he insisted on carrying the map the entire time.

Jocelyn took this photo of Joel and me, and I thought she did a fairly good job. The lighting in this particular area did not agree with my camera. I tried it with and without flash-no success. Someday, when I am big (and rich!) I will have a DSLR...

I thought this was a fun photo of Josie-maybe a teeny bit creepy, but unique. She isn't posing, she was really concentrating on the display.

It is a really fun place. They pay a lot of attention to adding little play areas and kid-related things in with the adult exhibits. The kids were supposed to be herding the llamas, but they preferred riding them.

I am NOT responsible for this thing. As a matter of fact, I don't even know him. I am not even sure how this photo wound up on my camera. I plead the 5th.:)

This Body Trek exhibit was really cool and interactive. Jocelyn was watching how her bones move on-screen. You received a little card at the start and it had your measurements, gender and other information to help you have a really personalized experience.

This was the kids' area in Body Trek. Those are the faces of my charming children. I think it is too weird!

There was a computer program that showed you aging. This is Jocelyn at 70 shown with the effects of excessive sun exposure. It was rather hysterical. I did not get a chance to do it because of the lines (and maybe because I was a little afraid to!).

We hadn't been through the rocks and minerals area before. Colorado is famous for its mines. Jocelyn, because she is a girl, loved all the sparkling rocks and gemstones.

This entire cave was moved from Mexico (I think) and rebuilt in the museum. The photos don't do it justice. It was amazing!

I have a similiar picture of Jocelyn moving moon rocks from the last time we visited. I don't really understand the allure of the "grabbers" but someone knew what they were doing, because my kids love them!

We had a great time, I am glad that we were able to go again. It probably will be a long time before we return, it is a little pricey. I realized after we left that we didn't even go into the kids' room-Josie and Carson were fascinated by all the regular exhibits.

We finished the day at IKEA-I heart that store. You just can't over-value a place with free childcare! We picked up some furniture for the playroom. I am still working on it, but I am hoping to post about the finished room soon.