We enrolled Jack in swim lessons at the Apex center for January.  He is taking the intro level "Tadpoles" class and LOVING it. 

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Poor Sam was very sick on Christmas.  He couldn't muster much energy for toy playing, except for zoning out with his new tablet.  Jack took up the slack and had a fantastic time.  Overall it was a splendid, chill day, with a lot of presents, treats, and family time. 

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Tonight I took Jack to his first ballet as a special Mom and Jack date.  He was hesitant about the evening, not convinced that he would have fun without snacks or toys as part of the deal.  It turned out to be a great night of wonder and awe. 

First we took a pedicab from the theater parking lot to dinner.  Jack was thrilled!  There was a blanket for us to wear and a friendly driver who took us through the wintery streets of LoDo.  Jack marveled at the lights everywhere and grinned ear to ear the whole ride despite the cold.

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  Jack has no appreciation for restaurant service, but managed to have an okay time there.  They had pizza that he picked at while I enjoyed their avocado eggrolls.  We made it a quick trip.  Jack has had a sore throat and sniffles for a couple days and it was starting to wear him out. 


I took him around across the street to the Rocket Fizz candy shop and he REALLY perked up.  We picked up an assortment of candies to suck on during the show to help with is cough.  No pedicabs passed our way so we had to walk the few blocks back to the theater.  Twinkly lights, soft snow falling, and smiling people everywhere - we didn't mind one bit.



The show was wonderful!  I like this newer version they've put together.  The sets and costumes were impressive.  I liked how they made Clara seem to shrink.  They had good humor and magic tricks in the first act.  The Dewdrop and Sugar Plum Fairy were really really really good. 





Jack liked it as well as I could realistically have hoped for!  He was totally focused on the show.  Laughing and clapping along.  The magic astounded him - the tree growing, the sword going through the Rat King (via the armpit), the empty boxes suddenly having doll dancers inside, and the firecracker boom and flash when the Nutcracker doll transforms to human.  He said he favorite part was the Chinese dancer who jumped on a pole and danced with a three-person Chinese dragon that blinked and wagged its butt.  He also liked learning about the orchestra before the show and went to see them some more at intermission. 

I continuously fed him lifesavers candies to help keep his cough down.  He sat on my lap the whole show.  We tried the booster seats but the foam collapsed so much it didn't help.  On my lap we could whisper to each other when he had questions.

He started to lose it during the snow scene, right before intermission, and again at the grand pas de deux.  Very wiggling and sighing.  I don't blame him, that's a lot for a five year old to endure ;-)



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//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js When we emerged from the theater there was a brass band playing Christmas carols and Star Wars themes. 


He had a really good time.  I got all kinds of Christmas jolly feels and I think he did too. 

He does this every single time. 

I got a phone call at 5:20 AM that the school district was closed.  We got oodles of powdery, blowing snow that's still falling at 3:15 pm.  Everyone (except poor Amanda!) is stuck at home today.  Best to make the most of it!

Phineas and Ferb in jammies, Jack is finding out that school is cancelled.
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Sam probably enjoyed the extra hour and a half of sleeping without realizing it.  He's still catching up sleep from last weekend.
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Fluffy pancakes!
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Claymation Christmas shorts.
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The boys join me in baking gingerbread cupcakes.
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It's an aggressive activity for them.  "My turn, my turn!" and lots of snatching away tools.  I spend most of the time pre-measuring ingredients away from them, mediating the turn taking, and acting as referee when someone makes a foul move. But all is forgotten when it's time to lick the bowl.
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Now it's quiet time and I'm taking a break.  Trying not to feel guilty while I do this:
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while Ben does this- for the third time today!  He's my hero. 
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Last weekend I was able to help/distract my mom while she recovers from knee replacement surgery.  Sam came along while Ben and Jack stayed in Arvada for work and school.  We had a grand time with all grandparents in Grand Junction (hey! what a perfect name for the town now that they all live there).

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Who knew walkers make perfect fort infrastructure?

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We had the pleasure of playing with Martha too, who came down from Utah. 

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Sam is a very poor sleeper.  Crying all night, overtired during the day.  Here he just couldn't muster any longer.

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"Ride with Gammah!"

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Orthopedic stools and benches also make great obstacle courses.

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Thank you for letting us crash!  Mom is doing really well and walking around much more than I expected by now.  I hope she is all healed in time for their next big trip (Italy, I hear).