Down 'n Derby

Nope, I'm not above stealing a caption from a movie. So there.

The crowds, the noise, the competition, the steeply-sloping track...it can only be a pack of unruly young men, ages 8-11, in blue shirts and scarves crowding the cultural hall for the Pinewood Derby! Scouts and siblings galore! Moms with cameras! Dads with pride, which always comes before the fall! Gentlemen, press your release button!
Ty's proud entry, Pac-Man, in his sole win for the evening. Sleekness and pride of engineering from the Crawford garage.
Shane's yellow Turbo Python hugs that line all the way down...narrowly missing a win. Repeatedly, as it turns out.
He did his best, yes, indeedy, one of only two siblings who entered cars. As if he wouldn't be involved in something his brother was...

As far as the blogosphere knows, Ty won first place, undefeated. The nifty sheet of paper with Ty's name forged onto it indicates "Coolest Design," a consolation prize meant for some other kid who didn't spank the competition. We're at a loss as to how it got into his hands.

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Colorado has made a lot of things possible for the Crawfords, and Clear Sky Elementary in particular has offered our children amazing opportunities. Mrs. Mooney, their music teacher, is stellar, always challenging the kids, expanding their horizons, which is what a fully-rounded education should provide. Anyone got a soap box?
In their 2nd concert of the school year, the 4th graders presented music from around the world, showcasing our precious Evie in a Chinese folk song. She sang, played the mallet (I could try to pretend I knew what that was, but we all know I'd be lying), and put on a killer Gwen Stefani impression, complete with '50's-era kimono from Grandma K's Japanese experience.

Love, Angel, Music and Baby did not put in an appearance, but we're pretty sure Gavin Rossdale was in the back row.

Oh, did we mention that mom and Shane missed the whole multi-culturally eye-opening experience? In a communication snafu, of the kind which has never before occurred ;), Shaney was left behind at the rec center when dad and Ty left after basketball practice. The nice part about being in said rec center every day of the week is that the staff knows exactly who the Crawford kids are and to which parents they belong. Did I say that was the nice part?

Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues

She's just not as creepy or as androgynous as David Bowie, is she? Rebel, rebel...
No red shoes here, but plenty of blues...it's apparent to me why Miss Marilyn makes the parents wait in the hall after the first lesson of the session: my girl has a breakdown every time. Ringo Starr is like a prophet: You've gotta pay the dues if you wanna sing the blues, and you know it don't come easy.

Actually a choreographed pout for the routine, but so true to character I hesitate to even mention it.

Not sure what to say here, except that this one needs to read the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet ASAP.

Gracie-Lou and an unknown cutie-patootie...just couldn't get all the parents to sign those pesky picture release forms. If I use my one phone call on you, please arrange for bail.

Super-Hooper Crawford

Ty's begun his odyssey into roundball...t-ball is still the biggest hoot in youth sports, but first-year basketball is a close runner-up. The amount of improvement is staggering: mom at 30-something (ahem!) still can't run and dribble, but the firstborn Crawford boy can, with a vengeance. Here, assistant coach, a.k.a., Daddy, pointing out the finer points of the game, which is kind of his specialty.
Number 24: Remember it.
Taking it down for the Bobcats...does he look like his dad here or what? I said, OR WHAT?

Nothing but net, or so we'd like to think.

Ty's a fab rebounder and the assist king for sure. I'm seeing visions of a fabulous career: TNT commentator, T-Mobile spokesperson, would-be governor of Alabama. Is he in your Five?

In the City of Blinding Lights...

New York City it's not, but after this summer's vacation, the Crawfords are completely fine with that. Denver's not as big, not as wet, not as crowded, not as cold, not as dirty, but does have a pretty good handle on holiday lights. Witness the crew in front of the Denver Civic Center downtown: mom had a festive court appearance here last winter for her ridiculous speeding ticket (which is worse: going 25+ over the speed limit, or having a speed limit of 55?)
Zoo Lights, an annual treat for young and old alike; and on a relatively balmy night in a week of teens and twenties, we shared this magical event with what appeared to be the entire metro population. It's all good. No one need worry about lost Crawfords: you can hear them a mile away (but can you hear them a mile high? That's the question).

Warm enough to be mittens-optional.

Just outside the entrance, even the gold-plated African wildlife were aglow.

Waited about 10 minutes to get our turn for a photo in front of the mountain lion. Worth it?

Mom and the ladies. Oh, you look so beautiful tonight...I think Bono wrote the lyric just for us.

Darlin' It's Bettah Down Where it's Wettah: Take It From Me

Ty and Shane: specimens behind glass. Feeding times: 12 and 6.

Christmas Break brought many delights for the Crew: The Downtown Aquarium was a big one. Though the kids brought plenty of their California sass and superiority: "this isn't as nice as Long Beach," "this isn't all outdoors like Sea World!", they were all over it. Like always. But this time we didn't require security guards to squash their climbing fun, mom did the job just fine.
Check it! Shane! In a tranquil moment!
"Which fish do you like, Gracie!" Like I'm some kind of dork for not knowing right off the top of my head.
A pre-dinner hell-raising. Do you ever really need an occasion when you're a Crawford?

The otter kept 'em captivated for full minutes at a time: I think they all secretly want to be an otter when they grow up.

Evie and an under-water pal: kindred spirits, I think.

Comin' Down the Mountain...One of Many Children

Sometimes Jane's Addiction is all you need to properly caption a blog. I have it on good authority that Perry Ferrell takes that adaptation very seriously. And here the eldest 3 Crawford offspring show why they're the showpiece of any mountain resort. Also why they charge exorbitant prices for the privelege of skiing: keeps out the riff-raff, except that one family from Castle Rock, dangit. Eve's doing her famous Star Wars/Sand People imitation, and Shane...ah, Shane. Need I say more?

Brains a little scrambled after carrying own skis for more than 50 feet... and mere minutes before the 4+hour ride home, which was packed with fun and frivolity, you betcha.

Super Dad and his crew...if it weren't for him, you'd best believe they'd never ski a day in their lives, unless they joined Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Momma don't ski all that very much.

Better cash in!