Max

Saturday afternoon Mike and I took Max S. to Wings Over the Rockies museum. I had these images in my head that we would be wandering around, looking at the planes, with Mike pointing out all these very important things. Well, turns out I forgot how imaginative and hands on 5 year olds are. Max wanted to climb on the planes and play imaginary games. He could care less about what the planes were used for or even how big and cool they were. We ended up finding the kids play room close to closing time and Max had a ball playing in there. Oh well! We had so much fun being with him. When we got in the car he asked if he was good. He was so good! We met Jason for pizza where Max demanded for his pizza every time the waitress came by. What a fun day with an adorable little dude!

Fall at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C.

A garden club member sent these photos-when Mike and I were in Victoria we didn't go to Butchart Gardens because it was rainy. These pictures are amazing and get me into the fall mood for sure!

Advice for the day

So...I decided I was getting bored with the other blog format and decided to make the new one more "fall-like". I hope it is easy to read.

Tonight are the second set of Obama/McCain debates. I am excited to watch how the town hall format will be different than the last debate. Hopefully the candidates actually answer the questions (I am alluding to the VP debate here..."let me talk about energy because that is all I know about").

Did you all get the election blue book in the mail? Goodness. I usually try to keep any sort of prescriptive advice to a minimum but today I urge you-mail in your ballot, vote early, or take the day off to vote! This seems like the longest ballot ever! And I urge to read about the measures ahead of time. If you wait until voting day you will be in that little booth for a long, long time.

Me? I am going on October 20th to vote early since we get back late on the 4th. If you are a Denver voter and would like to join me, I will be going to the booths at the rec center on 46th and Sheridan that day.

The weekend seemed long

I find that the weekend seems a lot longer when I do a lot of different things. This weekend was packed full of fun stuff. Friday night I took Mike out to sushi and then to see a performance at Swallow Hill. He got to meet (and vice versa) my good friend Karen who read some poetry (which was beautiful). I was sandwiched in between these two wonderful people-hubby and Karen-for part of the night and couldn't have been happier. Saturday, Mike and I ran errands and then had a delicious brunch at University Park Cafe. I met my teacher Kristi to discuss our AAACE presentation in November. I capped the evening off with a blissful "ladies night" at my friend Debbie's house. A group of young women from Regis get together once a month for friendship and professional support and I look forward to this dinner every time. In Italian Debbie style, we had pasta putanesca and roasted chicken-it was delicious. Sunday, Liz and I walked the 7am Race for the Cure. It was different than the 8:30 walk and I liked it a lot-all women and not as crowded. Liz and I got to have undivided time together to catch up-I am so lucky to have her as a friend. I went to brunch with my brother and Kendra at the Hornet, and then Mike and I hung out the rest of the afternoon. I love it when the weekend feels longer than the actual 2days really are.

5 questions (the easy way to blog)

I haven't been too creative lately for the blog. I need to save blogging about Paris until later in October so I don't burn you all out. So, here are my blog cheating ways...
1. What excites you about Fall?
The clothes. I love Fall clothes...in fact, I need to plan a shopping trip soon. Hmm...I love Sunday afternoon walks, where it is the warmest part of the day and looking up there is a pallete of browns, greens and yellows on the trees.
2. What are you reading these days?
I have been into some meditation books lately. I have been a little on edge with all the activities and stuff going on and I realized I have forgotten how to breathe and be in the moment. I need to re-learn this to enjoy the moments in life and not just the big picture.
3. What's going on this weekend?
Friday night is a fundraiser at Swallow Hill my friend Karen invited us to. Saturday I am meeting with Kristi to discuss our November presentation. I also have "girls night" with some awesome ladies that work at Regis. Sunday, Liz and I are doing the Race for the Cure and I have brunch plans after.
4. What excites you about your trip to Paris (ok, couldn't pass that one up)?
I love anything visually stimulating and I think the city of Paris and the French countryside will do this for me! I think I am most excited about seeing history-in buildings, in art, in the people. Oh, and gastronomic delights!
5. Give a shout out to...
Mike for making Paris a reality; Mom and Dad for being such loving and wonderful parents; Robbie for being a good friend; Meg for being a role model; Liz for doing the Race with me; and everyone else who know I love and care for them!

Computer literacy

I taught my first Morey Rec Center computer class last night for the term. I was so proud of myself-I was all organized, created a questionnaire, a syllabus, and even outlined the topics for discussion. The class is adorable! Of course, all adults, and most know nothing about computers. If you want to feel successful in teaching something, this is the class to teach! The demographic varies...some are older, some are younger...two don't own a computer...It felt great to have these people looking at me, waiting to hear the next thing I had to say. Now I hope I can actually teach them something.

Teaching is an amazing vocation. Teachers hold so much power...the power to influence, to educate, to change one's perception of things. As I do this more and more, I become conscious of what I am saying, doing, how is it helping students, not helping, am I engaging them enough...this process has a lot of synergy. I am so far feeling pretty good about it all!

Paris

After weeks of deciding where to vacation this fall, Mike and I have settled on Paris! We are leaving Ocotober 27th and will be home on November 4th (don't worry, we will go to the early voting locations). Here are a list of reasons why this was our choice...

1. We have plenty of miles so we can get two tickets for a small fee
2. We enjoy museums more than snorkeling (why Hawaii didn't win)
3. Shall I say...EuroDisney??
4. We love big cities, walking around, looking at buildings and people watching
5. French wine and French food...who could ask for more?
6. We are due for a trip to Europe
7. There are plenty of places to visit if we just hop on a train!

There are other reasons of course...to visit a city so entrenched in history, to be a part of the bohemian writer/artist/musician culture, to sit at cafes and people watch, to test our comfort zones,to enjoy the lights and romance of Paris...