Today Preschool, Tomorrow College

Rowan sailed through her first day of school like a seasoned pro. I, on the other hand, grumbled and whined through another day at work acting like someone who had lost her puppy or spilled coffee on herself. (We still have two dogs but I do have a pair of capris in need of some good stain remover.) I was a little nervous about getting there on time, which meant we drove the little streets surrounding the school for about 15 minutes before start time. Rowan kept asking me if I was sure I knew where her school was and I kept waiting for the neighborhood watch to report me. But we made it! She looked so cute with her new all pink LL Bean pack that she picked out herself. She couldn't wait for the teachers to open the doors and let her in to learn her letters and numbers and do "all her work". With a kiss goodbye, I left her to the sign-in table, where she carefully wrote her name on her card. Tressin was quite disappointed that we had to leave; way too much cool stuff to play with. You are still all mine for a little while, my sweets (thank goodness).Kelly, the thoughtful fellow mama that she is, had Rowan call me when she went to pick up. I asked her how school was. Her response... "It was awesome!"

I'm so glad little miss, but sure not as awesome as you!

Change is Constant

I had a smart ass physics professor that used to always say "change is constant", and then giggle. But he's right... everything is constantly changing. Little mundane things like the weather (I can practically smell fall its so close... haven't had the air on in a week!) More significant things like how people are doing business in this crazy economy; work has been a little nutty for both Scott and I the last few weeks. And of course the biggies- the ones that sneak up on you and smack you over the head and go "Ha! Gotcha!". Rowan Jane starts preschool next week.

She will attend Tozer Primary, a public school in Windsor, M-TH from 8:05 to 11:00. Her cousins, Cody and Wyatt go there, too. Don't get me started on the state of preschool in Colorado but luckily we have the oppurtunity to pay the tuition-- yes, tuition in a public school. Preschool ain't free around here.

I hope, and truly believe, the little diva will really love it and she hasn't expressed any outward reservations about going. Although I think it is weighing on her a little. Scott and I will attend orientation with her on Monday morning to meet her teacher and see the classroom. I'm sure that will help ease her mind. Now what about mine?? Oh yeah, and she wants to take showers now. She is too big for baths. Come on kid, take it easy on your poor mom.

I am preparing myself for a busy September for Scott at work. I think he will be traveling a lot. Doesn't help that I am coming into a very busy part of the year myself-- 2009 budget prep. Not a fun topic with everyone's cash flow issues. I can't complain too much. I was treated to 9 holes of golf at Headwaters Golf Course at Granby Ranch prior to Board meetings of the 3 associations we manage up there. I played by myself and shot a 53! I swear! I think when I go in October I will go through Rocky Mountain National Park and over Trail Ridge Road, weather permitting, of course. I've never been on that road before, that I remember anyway.

After record setting heat and scary drought conditions we actually had almost four strait days of rain a week or so ago. While it was much needed and a pleasant change, I was a typical Coloradoan... after a couple days of no sunshine, I got a little grumpy. Luckily, it broke a little earlier than they thought and took the girls up to New West Fest in Fort Collins on Sunday morning. Good festival food and even better people watching. With four stages set up through out Old Town we listened to a lot of music. Buckskin Stallion was our favorite, minus Tress, she slept through it.

Besides all that, our good neighbors Joe and Emmalie annouced they are having another baby, Taz, Joe and Ava find out the sex of their little bundle on Monday and my pretty sissy, Ryan and Mati are officially coming to CO for Christmas!! Now if I could just get through these Olympics (or Milikits as Rowan calls them) and my husband all the sudden being an expert on everything from diving "ohh, too much splash" to gymnastics "ahh, form break". He was just into it for the women's volleyball anyway.

Well I guess constant change is sure better than the alternative and how can you complain when you see a smile like this?

Until next time...

8-8-08

Yesterday was 8-8-08, as if you didn't know that. The hype was pretty big with the Olympics starting and all. But it is also a bit of a momentous day for us. Five years ago Scott and I signed paper after paper incurring the largest, long term debt of our lives- we bought our house! As I thought back on the last five years, I couldn't help but remember that day; we were so excited. I felt like it was mansion- we had these TWO extra rooms; what were we going to put in them?? Well we filled em up all right. A play kitchen, books, toys, lots and lots of little pink clothes and two beautiful, busy girls! So as I complain about getting that darn basement finished so we have more room (thoughts of a mansion wore off long ago) I have to remind myself that we are so lucky to have a home of our own. Many of our neighbors have not faired as well with the foreclosure mess hitting hard in our little 'hood. I know we won't live here forever. But 8-8-03 and 2015 E Settlers Drive will always be special to me. It's where this whole Starman Family thing started, where we brought our little babies from the hospital-it's our home.

Big Fat Hairy Dog Days

Wow! It's been hot! Like super-crazy-gotta-be-global-warming HOT! I, secretly, love it. Everyone is complaining, I feel like I should, too. But the truth is. I love it! It's a dry hot! (Like an oven, my husband says). Well I don't mind it. Probably, because I am lucky(and thankful) for the ability to enjoy the wonderfulness of AC at home and work. We have found ways to stay cool- trips to sprinkler park, setting up the slip and slide (man I wish I got some video of that!) and good ole ice cream.

No big upcoming plans. We are looking forward to watching the Olympics and getting Rowan ready to start pre-school at the end of the month. I can't believe the summer is nearing its end. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

Copper Mountain

This past weekend, my mom and the Bobcat treated us to a very nice time up in Copper Mountain. Pre-children, Scott and I spent a lot of time up there as it was our favorite place to ski. I had never really been there in the summer though and I have to say I like it even better. There is an unbelievable amount of things to do! The Bobcat and Scott played 36 holes of golf and I managed 9 each day. The back nine meanders through the woody area behind the Super Bee lift. It is quite amazing how they built this course right on the ski runs. Rowan also "played" the second day, consistently making good contact although I am pretty sure she does it all for the golf cart ride!

I was surprised and saddened by the very noticeable beetle kill on the pine trees everywhere. If they don't figure something out, I'm afraid the whole thing will go up in flames within the next 15 years.

Mom and I took a nice little walk slash bike ride with the girls. Tressin is really a character. She still doesn't say much, like anything (maybe the occasional mama) but finds ways to communicate nonetheless and has no problems letting her needs be known. Her personality is quite different than her sister's. Rowan has always been so cautious and Tress has no fear, or maybe its common sense.

It was a great time albeit too short! And the traffic coming down I-70 was horrendous! Now I remember why we don't go up much anymore.

Thanks again to Mom and the Bobcat!

Life is a Song Lyric- Part 1

"I'm what I am. I'm what I'm not.

I'm sure happy with what I've got.

I live and love and laugh a lot.

And that's all I need."

Kenny Chesney

Visitors

We did have some visitors. Chickmunks, as Rowan calls them, getting fat and happy off dog food.