Spring Time in Colorado!

Well, if you ask anyone who has spent longer than a year in Colorado they will tell you spring time is the most unpredictable season around here.  The weather is ever changing on a minute to minute basis.  We could wake up and wear our coats and hats one day, with 3-12 inches of snow on the ground......

or wake up to beautiful sunshine and the snow is melted by noon.....

Regardless, the wet weather means plenty of moisture for our future garden. 

Ken finished constructing the garden fence and boxes a couple weeks ago.  We have four 4x4 square foot garden boxes (one will be a sand box for the kids) and seven more boxes 2x6 square foot boxes around the perimeter of the fence. 

We should have plenty of space to grow some nice fresh produce and enough left over to freeze or can for the winter months.  We're really striving to become more self sustainable. 

The kids have really enjoyed helping with the garden.  Ella loves getting her hands dirty...

even Eric likes joining in.....

We grow them blond and hazel here.  (HAHA)

Still trying to teach Eric that some beds are for planting and others are for playing, very confusing I know.

Now that the boxes are completed the planting will begin.

We have enjoyed some 70 degree weather and take advantage of it when it comes.  The kids had fun at the nearby park with a spur of the moment barbecue with Maria's extended family.

Obviously, spring means planting and the kids definitely had planting on the brain as they plant this twig in the sand.

Ella and Cousin Seth

What else do you think of when you think of spring time and Easter?  Well, bunnies of course.  Ella finally received a real bunny, which she has been asking for these last couple years.  Meet Glory (Ella's chosen name for her), who will also be helping our garden grow as bunnie poo works magic in the compost bin (so we've heard).

Glory is a Holland Lop rabbit, which Ella plans to show next year for 4H.  She is more than excited to have Glory and is very happy to help care for her (feeding and cleaning daily)  as well.  She will often just sit and watch her bunny eat and play.  Glory's home is in our school room, but is definitely more than a school pet.  We are happy to have her join our growing family of pets!

Easter Fun!

We couldn't of asked for better weather for Easter weekend.  We started with a Gospel Egg Hunt on Saturday,  at church.  The kids sang songs, made crafts, of course hunted for eggs, and they even had an assortment of animals (llamas, chicks, and a rabbit).  Eric had fun hunting for eggs in the church nursery.

While Ella ran though the church playground gathering up her own basket of eggs.

We managed to slow the kids down enough to capture a picture.

After church, we headed to the Wildlife Experience to catch the Easter Bunny.

We all had a wonderful time enjoying all the activities, crafts, and even a jump castle while we waited for the Easter Bunny.  Even Eric thought the jump castles were lots of fun as he jumped on the side lines while Daddy held on to him. A wonderful day of fun and games for the kids  

Later we headed to Mimi and Pa's house for dinner, and finished baking our Easter cookies and dye our Easter Eggs.  

Ella was having so much fun dying Easter eggs, we didn't realize her hair was being dipped as well.  She ended up with red and blue strands.

Easter morning the kids awoke to Easter baskets full of goodies.  The Easter bunny delivered an assortment of gardening tools for the kids, cookies/candies, and toys.

Here's Ella opening her Easter Basket

After church, we had our own Easter Egg Hunt times three.  Ella found many of the eggs in record time,

she even helped Eric find a few as well.  Unfortunately, Coche also helped in the egg hunt and while we were getting the kids ready for the hunt she ate one of the eggs (shell and all).   The kids had so much fun, Ella asked me to hide the eggs a few more times.  I broke out the plastic eggs and we took turns hiding them and she had just as much fun watching me find them.

Ella was able to see her Easter gift from Mom and Dad after the egg hunts.  Ken worked diligently to get the kids own square foot planting box complete. We decided on a smaller 3x3 foot box for the kids to plant and care for all on their own.   Ella really loves it and can't wait to get started planting!

Preparing for Spring!

Spring has sprung at the Swift house.  We have been working frantically, trying to get the garden ready for planting this spring. We're starting with a fresh canvas and have been researching the best way to garden in the suburbs.  Maria happened upon an article on Square Foot Gardening, using raised beds for the urban gardener.  We've been researching and reading all we can and have decided to transform the area outside the sunroom/school room into a large vegetable garden area.  We'll add a sandbox for the kids, water table, and the kids will have their own raised garden to tend to as well.  Ken has been working on the fence this past week

and we're just about ready to haul in the mulch and prepare the boxes.  We have already started seeds, in hopes the garden will be completely ready in April.

The lettuce, tomatoes, and marigolds have already sprouted.  They are catching the sun indoors for the next few weeks, while winter subisides and spring finally arrives.  The master bedroom has been turned into a mini greenhouse, as we have all the plants/seedlings sitting on our window ledge. 

Ella wrapped up her winter indoor soccer season at the local rec center. 

After taking a couple weeks off, Ella jumped into spring soccer season with a local soccer club.  She absolutely loves her coach and is happy to back with a club again.  She has an all girl team and drills are the game.  She enjoys showing off for the coach and scoring goals again.  Her first practice was so cold, the kids could barely move. 

We're hoping to get a couple games in this season, but the weather will really dictate that.  The coach is very good about not pushing the girls too hard and is very encouraging.

Typical spring weather here in Colorado, we have a few 60 degree days followed by snow.  We're learning to take advantage of those nice days, spending more time at the parks and going for walks. 

We really enjoy having a park within walking distance again.  We can't wait until the wet weather passes and we can start making daily walks.

Eric is growing so fast and is expanding his vocabulary.  His latest word is HOT!  He is very good at blowing on his food now, waiting for it to cool off before eating.  He's so fast these days, we have to keep our running shoes on to keep up.  He tries so hard to keep up with big sister and wants to have and do everything Ella does. 

He's really starting to enjoy his books more and more. I can now leave a couple books in his crib and he likes to look through them, like he's studying and reading them.  His favorite book; "Shiny Dinah," we had from Ella's old Kindermusik class.  Everytime I pull out the book he starts saying, CH CH CH CH for Choo Choo.  He's growing up so fast!

Ella is still on medication to combat a buildup of mucus in her lungs.  She takes inhalers, like they use for Asthma.  However, she takes only one regularly and the second as needed.  It seems to be helping, as she is definitely staying healthier longer and when she does have a cold she is no longer spiking a fever and having uncontrollable coughing fits as before.  Her doctor hopes to have her completely off meds by May, we sure hope so too! 

Ella just started swimming lessons and is loving going to the pool weekly.  A huge local swim school is just what we needed.  We enjoy the step by step program they have for the kids and the kid friendly atmosphere.  Ella is already learning about ice cream scoops (using the hands to help move) and is working hard at getting her whole face in the water.  Her biggest challenge now is remembering to blow her bubbles when under water.

Ella just had her first dental appointment and Eric his first.  They both did great!  No cavaties or tears!  Eric had no problem opening up wide for the dentist with a great big, "Ahhhhhhh." 

She was able to do a full cleaning and as we expected he still has some big molars coming in. The dentist was impressed by both the kids!

Casey our English Shepherd is a handful and very smart.  He's already mastered down, sit, wait, leave it, and comes well when called.  We're attending a weekly obedience class, but really just attending for the socialization.  Casey is proving true to breed constantly trying to nip at the kids, but we're sure to keep Casey on a short leash until he learns his manners. 

He's already proven that he is very protective of us all, barking at even a large rottweiler who roamed into our yard.  Casey happened to be outside at the time and stood his ground.  That is until, the rottie turned and started running toward Casey.  Poor Casey didn't know what to do and started running and barking toward the house, eventually screaming in terror once the Rottie reached him.  He's still a puppy, but it's good to see his protective nature so early.  Hopefully he'll gain a little confidence once he's older.

The dogs have been fighting of a horrible bacterial infection, leaving both Molly and Coche on antibiotics and horrible upset tummy's for the last couple weeks.  Maria spent an entire evening at the local Vet ER with Coche, as Ken was out of town.  Luckily, Maria's parents were nearby and were willing/able to stay with the kids while Maria attended to Coche.  It was very scary as Coche was vomitting blood and initially had no idea what was going on with her.  After many diagnostic tests, it turned out it was just a bacterial infection.  We're lucky that it turned out to be something so simple to fix with antibiotics.  Coch is now 12 and Molly just turned 9.

We only hope they have many more years with us.

Julie just had her teeth cleaned and was spayed last week.  No more puppies from Julie.  The vet had to pull a couple teeth, as Julie has a very bad habit of picking up our yard for us.  We are struggling with the idea of adding an Una (Julie daughter) puppy in the future.  We sure love Julie's loving personality, but continuing to breed/show Cavaliers is very challenging financially, emotionally, and logistically.  However, we know we will always have a Cavalier in our home.  They are the perfect dog breed for us!

Valentine's Day, New Year, and Lent!

The kids are growing fast!  Maria's father has been working on his photography skills, so we asked him to take some photos of the kids for us.  He did a wonderful job capturing the kids genuine smiles and laughter.   Eric is now 15mths old and Ella 4.

Eric absolutely adores his big sister, which is quite evident.  Ella and I had to run an errand one day this week and when we arrived back home, Eric had heard Ella's voice from the basement playroom.  He came walking up the stairs as fast as he could (he's not running yet), yelling "Ella."  Ella enjoys reading him books and is always watching out for her little brother.

I was cleaning the bathroom one morning, when Eric decided to climb in the tub (Eric's favorite, Bath Time!).  Ella saw him in the tub and decided to join him.  No water, just playing around with the bath toys.  Notice Ella's hat, she said it was cold in the Sun Room/School Room so she was wearing her hat that morning (it wasn't really THAT cold, but the room is a bit chilly in the mornings).

Valentine's Day the kids came down to enjoy Ella's favorite, blueberry muffins & yogurt.  The each opened up their Valentine's gifts and Ella was thrilled to receive a large heart lollipop.  She had been asking for one, since she saw them at Target when we went shopping for Daddy's valentine present.  Funny thing, she hasn't asked to eat it yet.   She also received a big pink throw blanket, covered in hearts which she now sleeps with every night.

Eric received his first movie and a couple of small "Thomas the Trains".   He loves watching Thomas and of

course The Little Einsteins.  He makes the cutest sounds when he's pushing his trains around and will even pat to the music of the Little Einsteins.  We hope to be picking up another music class next month, since we were booted out of our last one (long story).

Well, not only was it Valentine's Day.  Chinese New Year happened to fall on the 14th as well this year.  We enjoyed a wonderful cultural exhibit at a nearby rec center.  Ella really enjoyed it as they danced, told a Chinese Fable about the New Year, and the last half the kids were able to make a 3D paper cutting.

Here's Ella's paper cutting.  Money, Spring, and Good Luck is what it says.  She had lots of fun and learned a lot too.  It's so nice to be in such a culturally diverse area, that we can take advantage of all the multi-cultural events around town.  Now, if Maria can only convince her mother to start talking to the kids in Chinese.

Ash Wednesday was yesterday and Lent is here.  We have been thinking about what we will do or give up for Lent.  Since,we have started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Univeristy we have decided to do a better job of living on a budget and  curtail our dining out.  We are reading The Bible daily and will be volunteering again to teach Sunday School at our new church.  We are also contemplating teaching a Sunday School class at the church for adults.

In addition to Maria and Ken learning better ways to utilize their money, the kids are learning their lessons early.  Ella has started up her chore chart again and she earns a commission for each chore that she does.  Of course, she has some chores that she doesn't get paid for and she does a good job all the way around about getting things done.  She is saving up for a real bunny, looking to buy a brush for her American Girl Doll, and is a generous heart at giving.  Her first commission, she donated to the Haiti relief fund at church. 

Here's Ella showing Eric the ropes, feeding the dogs their dinner as one of her chores.  Eric's good at pushing the bin back into the closet, while Ella takes care of the feeding.

Speaking of dogs, we have a new member of the family.  Casey an English Shepherd joined our family yesterday.  He came from a small horse farm in North Carolina. Maria just happened onto a website for English Shepherds and the rest is history. (Learn more about the breed here: The English Shepherd )  Originally we had put a deposit on a puppy months back, when we had the chickens.  We wanted a guardian livestock dog, but a good family pet as well.  When we moved and this litter came available, we decided to go ahead with it.  The true "Lassie" dog, we are excited to have Casey with us.

He's only been with us a day and he's already barking at the door to go outside and potty.  These dogs are smart! The kids love him and are already giving him big hugs, but are so gentle with him.  He's been so well mannered! We keep waiting for him to do something "puppy."  With a little training, I think this little guy is going to be a great family dog!

Fast Forward through the New Year!

Wow, I feel like our lives have been on fast forward.  We started with Ella's birthday, the children were baptized, we flew to Colorado, celebrated Ken's birthday, celebrated Christmas, moved into our old "new" house, and celebrated the New Year.  You can't say our lives have been boring by any means.  We've been busy to say the least!  I've barely had a moment to breath, let alone write a blog.  I will try and play catch up the best I can.

Ella's birthday was a learning experience.  We had it scheduled for the Little Gym the weekend before her birthday, but Ella came down with a 2nd case of Pneumonia and we had to reschedule.  Everything worked out for the best though, as we only had one child confirmed for her birthday the first weekend.  We had a much better turn out the following weekend.  Ella had a blast and was thrilled that the majority of her classmates from school made it to her "Bunny"party.  It was a great way to say goodbye to all her friends from school and her teachers at the Little Gym.

We managed to have Ella and Eric baptized at our home church in South Carolina; literally, just before we left the state.  Ella was a bit nervous about being in front of the congregation, but the kids did great.  Eric even took a walk down the aisle with the Pastor and a nice prayer was said for our family.  We will surely miss our friends, teachers, pastors, and church family in South Carolina.

Our friends Keegan, Miyako, and Pearl witnessed the children's baptism and also made one last trip to our house to say our goodbye's.  Pearl and Ella had a great time running through the empty rooms.  Amazingly, this was the first time the girls really played so well together. It was good to see them laughing together, what a great way to say goodbye.

I couldn't resist one last picture in our South Carolina home.  I will always treasure the time we were able to spend here.  I find it ironic, that we are leaving South Carolina when Eric is the same age Ella was when we moved here.  We have come full circle and it's time for us to move on.

The kids and I jumped on a plane to Colorado a few hours after the baptism.  The kids were tired and we didn't have time to get dinner, before our flight.  So, we ended up munching on anything we could find on the plane.  I purchase a couple meals on the plane, but they were definitely not designed with kids in mind.  The kids did great on the flight, considering they were exhausted and it was late.  We finally arrived in Denver, to find out they had lost the car seat and my luggage.  Luckily, we did have the children's suitcase and were able to borrow a car seat from the airline.  We made it to Mimi and Pa's (Maria's Mom & Dad's) house and I put the kids straight to bed.  We had finally arrived, but Ken still had a long journey ahead. Ken took the long trek and drove the Minivan to Colorado with the three dogs and Ella's Beta Fish, "Fishido."  He made it in record time, showing up the next day in the late evening.

We celebrated Ken's 32nd birthday the following day with a small cake and presents. 

Ella was so sweet and wanted to be sure Daddy had balloons and decorations for his birthday, so we went out the day before to surprise Daddy.

We tried so hard to get the kids in to see Santa, but the lines were horrible with over two hour waits.  We decided to forgo Santa at the mall this year and headed out to the "Wildlife Experience" for their Christmas Light Extravaganza.  Of course, we picked the coldest night to go and we had to walk all the way around the museum in frigid temps and we were all freezing.  However, the kids did get to see Santa, Mrs. Clause, and even the reindeer.  Ella was sure to tell Santa she wanted a real bunny for Christmas. 

Ella made her traditional sugar cookies for Santa the night before

and Daddy read the "Twas The Night Before Christmas." 

The kids opened their one Christmas Eve gift and quickly put on their new Pajamas, anticipating Santa's arrival.

We were excited to be able to celebrate Christmas with the Maria's family, since it had been three years since we had all been together for a holiday.  The kids awoke bright and early to a Christmas tree full of presents drawn up in a sleigh from Santa.  Ella was thrilled to receive a wooden jewlrey bead set and exclaimed that she was done with presents, once she opened it up. 

We had to convince her to open the rest of her gifts!  Eric was trying to figure out what all the fuss was about.  He took the majority of the day, before he reached the end of his gift pile.  His favorite gift this year, was a Tonka Ride-On truck that his Aunt Angela and Lauren gave him. 

We had a wonderful time with everyone and are excited that the children were able to share this Christmas with our extended family in Colorado.

The movers arrived a few days after Christmas, but Ken and I had been busy for days trying to get the house situated.  We had new carpets put in and fresh paint applied in the bedrooms.  Ella requested pink for her room and we decided on the same blue Eric had in his old bedroom in South Carolina.  Ella was thrilled to see her room, but misses her wall mural.  We'll have to get another painted soon.  I'll post pictures of the rooms soon.

The kids are adjusting well to the "new" house.  They especially love all the wildlife.  They awake every morning to deer or squirrels running through the backyard.  Ella has already made good use out of the children's playset (even in the snow) and we already taken a few walks around the neighborhood. 

Speaking of wildlife, Ella was so disappointed that we didn't get a chance to spend more time at the "Wildlife Experience" that I took her back for some special Mother/Daughter time.  She had such a fun time exploring the butterfly exhibits.  She turned into a cacoon,

and even climbed into a spiders web.

A fun time was had and I was glad to be able to spend some one-one time with Ella, as things have been so busy with the move and preparing the houses.

Unfortanatly, Ella surprised this last week with another bout of walking Pneumonia. This is her third, since Thanksgiving and we are all getting concerned.  We had scheduled classes and were hoping to get the kids back in a routine, but we'll have to wait for now.  The doctor's are baffled with the recurrent Pneumonia and we will be seeing a Pulmonologist (lung specialist) the beginning of February.  In the mean time, we trying to keep our routine as normal as possible. 

We started a light homeschooling schedule, have attended storytime at the library, Eric started music class, and we all continue to unpack boxes and organize the house.  Ken has been traveling more and we are all trying to find some sense of normal during this very chaotic time.  I'll have more holiday pictures posted on the kids photo pages and homeschool blog, so don't forget to check it out!