CSI: Cub Scouts Investigate

Ty's first Cub day camp experience in Colorado...hottest 3 days of the summer to date, and mom got to tag along for two of them. Bricks in that heavenly mansion being laid down as we speak...
As it is every year, the Polson ranch was the place to be for all manner of Cub mayhem and excitement...here, Ty dissects owl pellets (don't be unduly alarmed: it's not anything gross or unsanitary, just owl vomit composed of the hair and bones of the animals they eat whole. It's fine.), and found a high number of intact jawbones and leg bones. I forgot the purpose for this exercise, but turns out that it just doesn't matter.

Building a shelter with fellow Wolves...looks pretty sturdy and would probably protect you if you were the size of a small dog.

Ah, archery. Sport of kings. Or is that boxing?

I couldn't resist this photo; he looks like a concentration camp inmate. Hey, if you came looking for a tasteful, politically-correct blog, keep movin'.

If he could just start obsessing about owning one of these for Christmas, we could have a story for the ages.

Speedy tent assembly turned out to be the fellas' specialty. I'd identify this row of cuties, but if I'm being cyber-stalked (and you know who you are), it doesn't seem quite safe or responsible.

A (gasp)!: craft. If they could just come up with another five-letter word to describe the cool stuff the boys made, it would be advisable. The wrangling we had to do to get them to that particular area of the camp was exhausting. But you can't argue with that final result.

Shane Fell Into a Burning Ring of Fire

Oh, I'm sorry. There must be some mistake: we ordered the LARGE red batting helmet.
So this is Shane's, what? Fourth season of t-ball? How'd we get so lucky?
This year's edition is the Castle Rock Flames, coached by everyone's favorite grizzled veteran, Matt Crawford, and just look at that kid behind the plate. That right there is a ball looking to take a beating.

And in an ever-changing line-up we have Shane, always at the ready; tonight it was first base, and he took no prisoners.

Favorite quote this season: I tell Shane that I tried to get some good action photos of his batting and throwing, but the camera wouldn't cooperate. Shane interjects: "It was really just because I was too fast, right, mom?" Well, sure. Isn't that what I just said?

He's a blur of fire, ladies and gentlemen!

Dino-Miiiiiiite!

In a nod to J.J. Walker...let the dinosaur puns begin!

So on a balmy summer day, the Crawford boys and their mama made the trek to the foothills of Morrison to enter the alternate universe known as Dinosaur Ridge. As a Denver native, I can vouch for the many amusements on offer, but this may very well be the Mile High City's greatest hidden gem.
On entering the tour bus, our guide asked where the boys were from; he was clearly thrilled to find the boys hailed from California, because we were heading for the beach (!) that was Denver's front range some 70 million years ago (see the things you learn while blogging?). And the ocean? Denver, Littleton, Castle Rock and beyond...we've always wanted to realize Ringo's admonition to be under the sea in an octopus' garden in the shade, and we probably are.

When Rooselvelt began his grand experiment in Socialism during the Depression (if I didn't word it in just this way, Dad would come from the afterlife and haunt the be-jeebers out of us), one of the projects used to employ thousands was the blasting away of this mountain face for a road, and all kinds of unknown goodies were uncovered: calcified bones, fossils, and a boatload of dinosaur tracks. Seriously, who knew?

You can always tell a bone in rock because it calcifies to a deep amber color. And having a plastic sign with an arrow mounted next to it doesn't hurt your identification efforts either.

Shane on the hunt. Fossils? Possibly another ladybug? You never can tell.

Me and the boys on the other side of the tracks. Oh, the punning fun need never stop when you're at DinoRidge!

The boys were slack-jawed over the unexpected brilliance of the place (even Shane, who tends to balk at anything that doesn't have a controller attached), and want to make this little trek a summer ritual. And that's what I'm talkin' about.

The 2007 National League Champs

Just in case you can't read it: that's the crew in front of Coors Field in Denver. Really a great venue for a ballgame, and not as many drunken idiots as you'd imagine for a big city. Even better: a fast-moving game: 2 hours in and we were at the 7th inning, a great time to call it a day when you've got a swim meet the next morning.
So getting a Rockies ticket is as easy as it ever was, excepting, of course, that fabulous fall of '07, but let's not speak of it.

The best part of any ballgame: the $8 mini bowl of Dippin'Dots.

Shane and Grace, self-entertaining. Reminds me of BYU football games back in the day: Hey, look! There's a ball game going on! That we paid money to watch! Try entertaining yourselves with THAT!

The whole gang got pix as Rockies pitchers; I'll include only Eve's, just to pique your curiosity.

These Are Days You'll Remember

Evie's end-of-year party for 4th grade...she and Emily, chowing on their sundaes. Emily's been a great relief to all of us: Eve's a friendly and outgoing girl, but finding a realy soul-mate-best-friend for her here in Colorado has been a challenge, and Emily's been what mommy prays for: solid, honest, loyal, and just loves Eve for who she is. Sigh of relief.
After her 80th go-round on those spinny-things...no vomiting!

Just hangin' around...no pictures of Eve and her teacher, Mr. Deck, but to say she's loved his class is an understatement. The lament of education is that there are so few male teachers, and, especially for the older kiddos, those men can be life-changing (had one myself in 5th grade, one Full-Metal-Jacket caliber instructor we called Mr. Kulwicki, who I also happened to know as "dad") and, back in September, I assured her that she'd never forget this experience. Hope I'm right, he was fabulous.

Lest you think I didn't love Ty's 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Strange, think again: just didn't have any year-end pictures. She, too, was fabulous, very impressive, and recognized Ty for the quick study he is. We will miss her and her amazing cow-filled classroom. Mooo!

Sailing Into First Grade

Behold the conquering Kindergartner...

Can I be honest? Shane had a GREAT year academically, but both he and mom were kind of relieved to shake the dust of kindergarten off of their feet when it came to a grinding halt on June 10. First time I've ever had a child in school where I didn't just love the entire experience, but how proud I am of this energetic, optimistic boy who bounded out of bed every morning, ready to go back and keep at it (with mommy hoping that her angel didn't pick up on her own helpless feelings when times got tough).
Mrs. Clouthier gave the kids a great sending-off party, complete with musical numbers and a slide show of their first year of school. Shane and I have so much enjoyed the two or so months she was in the classroom: he really blossomed with her, and I truly appreciate her and the dynamic she brought to the group.

No occasion is complete without cake.

Shane's end-of-year project was to construct a boat, so he and engineer-wonder dad made it killer. Shaney couldn't have been prouder, and that's what it's all about.

The vessel proved wading-pool worthy, and, I assume, sea-worthy. I'd love to say he named it the S.S. Linda, but...

It's Going Swimmingly, Thanks

Spirit gear is very important to the Crawford family...

Shane's second season as a Castle Rock Cruiser: a crazy weather month with the constant late-afternoon thunderstorms and lightning has kept the entire team out of the pool for the first 2 weeks of the season, but even without practice time, Shane's rockin' it.
That looks comfortable.
What we all love about swim team: no one pays any attention to you except your own family. No games hinge on your personal performance, no one is let down if you have an off-day. You swim against you. And if you beat your best time? You get a Super-Swimmer ribbon and a donut. Bring it!
Backstroking.
Shane's placed 2nd in every heat he's swam to this point; 3rd overall for back, free, and breast for the all-important first meet. Now if only meets could start later than 8 a.m...