Living in Munchkinland

A few weeks ago I won a birthday party at Sam's gym for a smokin' deal in a school auction. I also won a Yogurtland birthday party in a silent auction this summer. I put the two together and we had a birthday party! We hosted Sam's party on Saturday afternoon at Active Athletics and it was great! Super easy to pull off and the kids all seemed to have a splendid time! We had 16 kids attend and they all got along so well. Afterwards we came back to the house and opened gifts. I made a nice dinner and then we went over to Suzy and Jason's for a bit to watch Jason's Nepal pictures. Then we had a sleepover at our house with Garrett and Leah. Sam had a wonderful time and we were thrilled to be able to make it all happen for him.

We had a super chill weekend. Thursday I picked up Reese and Davis from TSA and took them to get these coveted Red reusable cups from Starbucks. Then I made a gorgeous steak salad from plated and Sam went to gym. Michael flew home on Friday. I went to see Sam play his guitar recital at school, taught a class and then picked up Leah from earl release and had a library/lunch date with her. That evening Sam and Garrett went to Snobahn, Suzy and Michael and Christin and I went to Bar Louie for happy hour, and Davis went with Reese to jumpstreet. Saturday was a splendid day with sun and temps in the high seventies. Davis went with his mountain bike friends to Ruby Hill, Sam went to Snobahn with Garrett and I made a really good salmon dish from Plated. Michael did some work around the house. I attempted a run and re-hurt my back. We packed away all the Halloween stuff and made more travel plans. Suzy and I looked at some open houses in the neighborhood. That evening we Michael and I had h...

Last Sunday was the mountain bike end of season banquet. We all went over to the McCarthy's house for taco dinner. It was so sad to know this was our last party with our mountain bike family for the year. The kids had a great time and all got a silly award. (Davis was given a patch kit for his flat tires, lol). Davis loved riding with his team this year and is already looking forward to riding again next year. Also in Davis news, he has graduated out of his invisalign! After 20 months we are done! He will wear a retainer for about 4 months and then will only have to wear it at night. Woohoo!

First week of November was super domestic. I made my Plated meals (pretty darn delicious). Sam and Garrett went to Snobahan. A squirrel enjoyed my pumpkins. The snow melted. Michael and I had a date night and went out to see Improv Shakespeare at DCPA which we LOVED. Davis and Reese had their first date and went ice skating. We went to church and I stayed to practice with the choir. I worked at my desk and planned out how to produce the spring play at Anastasis. It was domestic and lovely. The only sad news is that our tree in the front of our house is officially dead AND gone. I knew it was dying this summer and called the tree people who didn't believe me. But I WAS RIGHT!. It was dead and they finally acknowledged it this fall. We got some bids to take it down and chose the cheapest. They came out on Tuesday this week and took it down. I'm so sad about it. I loved having a big tree in my front yard and it is so sad to see a tree die. Also, I hate having my kitchen window s...

I keep mentioning that my back is out. Here are the details. Ten days ago I was filling my water bottle at the water fountain during staff meeting at school and as I turned around I felt a sharp pain and couldn't breathe for a minute. I made it back to the staff room and through the school day in great pain. It didn't get much better at all. I finally went for an MRI on Tuesday morning, six days later. I went to the doctor on Thursday and got my results. I mild degenerative disc disease at L3-4 and L4-5. I have two herniated discs at L3-4 and L4-5. I have an additional bulging disc at L5-S1. Additionally I have moderate arthritis on all three of those discs. I have also lost the feeling in my small right toe. I've been referred to a spinal surgeon, physical therapy and been put on steroids, muscle relaxers, nerve pills. I feel a bit better this morning so I'm hopeful it's all working. I need to get back to right because I REALLY miss running and want to be able to m...

Halloween was slightly warmer and the kids went back to school. I helped organize a scavenger hunt for Sam's school as they were having Monster Mash/Birthday bash. That afternoon I made chili and hosted a halloween open house. Our friend Megan and her kids came as did Suzy and hers. (Jason is in Nepal) Davis had Kai over to trick or treat with and later his girlfriend Reese and some her friends came by as well. We did our annual neighborhood Halloween parade which I love. It was fun evening, but my back was still bothering me so I didn't get to walk around as much. It was also our lightest year ever for trick or treating. I think people didn't get out as much this year because of the ice and snow. It was still a lovely evening and we had a great time. I love my neighborhood.

The last week of October felt like January. We got so much snow! Sam had two snow days and Davis had one but should have had another. The first day he froze waiting 40 minutes for the school bus and finally had to call it and come home and take the absence. We had a catan and wine day with Suzy and the kids had a playdate with Davis's new (first!) girlfriend Reese and her brother Bryce. The kids lots of sledding and lots of hot cocoa drinking. I made cookies and cobbler and built lots of fires. I was so glad to have Michael in town to help with the snow shoveling as my back was still out. It was a crazy cold snowy week for Denver.