A Peek into our week – Saying Goodbye to Colorado, Hello to Minnesota
Last week we said goodbye to Colorado – to our friends, to our home, and to that beautiful chapter of our lives.
Lots of friends came over to give us one last hug, we went to the Newman family’s house for one last dinner and I went to church one last time to see Kari Jobe and Louie Giglio! (It was so good!)
Early Wednesday morning two kind gentleman showed up at our house and started packing. Somehow, those two guys had my house completely packed and loaded on the moving truck in just 3 days!! (I think it took me 6 weeks to pack when we moved to Colorado)
Our family flew to Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Clark asked if we were in “first class” because the flight attendant offered him a snack and a drink. (He’s only flown one other time – and that was on another airline)
We stayed the weekend in a hotel.
Saturday – lots of swimming!
Sunday – Mall of America!
Before we moved, I told the boys that when we arrived in Minnesota, I’d let them spend $20 each at the Mall. It gave them one more reason to get excited about the move.
Our first stop – the Lego Store!
George was THRILLED to explore this place and had a hard time just picking out ONE thing. $20 doesn’t go very far there, but he found a set that he was excited to build.
Clark chose to buy a remote control car.
Paul wanted new running shoes. (I gave him a little extra since he chose RUNNING SHOES!)
Luke picked a Lightning McQueen toy.
I picked where we ate – Wahlburgers. (It was great!)
They wanted to ride ALL the rides – but we picked one – The Ferris Wheel! It’s kind of crazy riding a Ferris Wheel inside a MALL!
Monday morning, we met the movers at our house.
There were a few things about this house that made me fall in love with it:
- I could tell it was a neighborhood with LOTS of kids – nearly every house has a play set, a trampoline, a soccer net or a basketball hoop.
- It has a nice backyard…big enough for FOUR boys to run some of their energy out with a game of tag or soccer.
- It has LOTS of trees! Since I’d no longer be able to see Pikes Peak, I wanted something pretty to look at and I do! I love all the trees and water in Minnesota.
Within an hour of pulling up to our home, the boys had already met the neighbor kids on both sides. They played all day. Clark called it the “best day ever” and said he’d be sad if I picked ANY other house in Minnesota.
George agreed and said this is his favorite house we’ve ever lived in.
All the boys have been sleeping SOO good in this house. I haven’t been wakened at all by any child! It may have something to do with the fact that they RUN, JUMP, PLAY, and SWIM all day! (Maybe that’s the title of my new book?!!)
We are grateful for a smooth transition and looking forward to making many happy memories here.
Thanks for your prayers, comments, texts and encouragement through this process!
A PEEK into our WEEK: Breckenridge, hiking, time with friends, and racing!
Our Fourth of July
We took some red, white and blue pictures in Colorado Springs, but spent the 4th in Breckenridge! The boys loved the Parade and playing in the huge pile of snow that’s still on Peak 8. Ted and I enjoyed getting one last visit to Breckenridge before our move. We always enjoy the drive there – you never know what wildlife you’ll see. We stopped to watch some Buffalo roam on this trip.
Spent time with a childhood friend
Becky, a childhood friend, and two of her kids came to visit from Broomfield, CO. It was so fun having them spend 24 hours with us!
We hiked and explored, cooked together, and enjoyed catching up. We’re both Indiana girls and been friends all of our lives. I’ve enjoyed spending more time with her since we moved to Colorado.
Overdrive Raceway
The #eglyboys have been begging me to take them to Overdrive Raceway! We finally made it there, and they LOVED it! Clark drove as fast as he could – speeding around corners and weaving in and out between other drivers. George was slow and steady; cautiously driving around corners, and leading Paul “safely” around the track.
Hiking
We explored the Starsmore Nature Center and hiked in Cheyenne Canyon with friends. There are all kinds of trails you can follow in Cheyenne Canyon. However, Clark remembered one specific hike from a field trip and insisted we follow him. He promised us it would be beautiful! Somehow, he found the right trail, we followed him up a narrow passageway and from the top, we had an incredible 360 degree view of mountains and The Broadmoor! He makes an amazing tour guide for an 8-year-old.
That was our final ‘regular’ week in Colorado.…now we are packing and wrapping things up at home before we head to Minnesota! What did you do this week? Leave me a comment!
Luke:
We took Luke to get a badly needed haircut. He was so hard that his brothers came over to cheer him up – singing and handing him toys. He calmed down and by the end of the haircut, he told the hair stylist – “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
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Paul:
Watching ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2’ with the boys and Paul sees the cute Murtock wife in the boat. Paul says, “I hope my wife looks like that!”
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Clark:
We met a whole bunch of people at Ivywild for dinner to celebrate some friends moving to California. A friend and I both realized that we each had a child missing from the party and we went to go look for them. Ivywild is an old school with lots of rooms, a gymnasium, and other restaurants. After searching, we finally found Clark and our friend’s son sitting at the bar in a section called The Whiskey Room, eating Maraschino cherries and chatting with the bartender.
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George:
“Mom, was I born when we in the brown house?”
Me: No, you were born when we lived in the white house.
George: MY DAD USED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!?!?!
Me: Not that White House.
Leave me a comment and tell me something funny your child said or did!
80+ ideas for Summertime fun!
My kids love electronics – playing on the iPad, my phone, or computer. We didn’t have those options when I was a kid – but I do remember when Nintendo came out and I loved it. Mario Brothers sucked me in – I didn’t want to stop until I’d beat the dragon and WON the game. That’s how felt with just ONE game. Now our kids have endless games to choose from on their multiple electronic devices.
Recently I asked George to go play outside and found him like this…
That is NOT what I had in mind!
Here are 80 ideas to get your kids off those devices.
Instead:
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playing real games,
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exploring,
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discovering,
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learning and
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using their imaginations
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all while having tons of fun!!!!
- Make and play with playdough – Click here for a recipe. We like to make a batch and then I give my boys ideas things to make: a snake, a snowman, a fidget spinner!
- Free Draw – Set out Pencils, markers or crayons and blank paper – Set the timer for 15 minutes and encourage everyone to sit and draw. I’m amazed at some of the things they will come up with. If they don’t know what to draw, set a stuffed animal on the table or pull out a favorite book and ask their favorite page!
- Read a book – When my oldest son says he’s bored, I’ll hand him a book to read to his little brother. I try to keep lots of interesting books around that peek their curiosity. It might be a book about a state we are visiting, or a comic-strip style book. I also like to read a few pages of a chapter book to my kids each day. The “Who Was” series is great! Or…
- Create a “I’m Bored” Jar – If your kids say ‘I’m Bored’ – they have to pull a paper from the jar. Each paper lists a chore or activity.
- Tell stories – Give them a title and let them create the story.
- Make a book – at the beginning of last summer I gave each of my boys a blank book. Nearly every day I had them draw a picture or write a few words about what they/we did that day. It’s now a “Summer of 2017” memory book. This summer I’m going to do the same and make it a “Gratitude” journal. Each day they can draw a picture and write one thing they are grateful for. You can make a book by folding white paper together and stapling it…or purchasing a pre-made on amazon.
- Play Tag – everyone will have fun and get some exercise, too!
- Watercolor painting – paint the rainbow!
- Cook together – my boys love helping make any type of dessert. But they are also good “sous” chefs – peeling potatoes and carrots, etc. Last summer I taught George had to make some basics for his brothers – things like mac and cheese and grilled cheese. This summer I’ll be adding a few things to George’s list and including the younger ones as well. It’s not easy, but it build confidence in them and is a huge help once they know what to do. Other ideas of things to make with your kids: Pancakes and Personal Pizzas
- Balloon games – Blow up balloons and work together to keep them from touching the ground. Or, use a tennis racket outside with balloons.
- Take a bike ride
- Turn up fun music and have a Dance party
- Fill a plastic tub with water, measuring cups and other toys
- Wash the car together
- Play Hide and Seek
- Do a Puzzle together
- Park Hop! We go park-hopping in the summer and try out as many as we can.
- Create an obstacle course in your yard or around your house.
- Backyard games – Soccer, sharks and minnows, kickball, catch
- Turn on the Sprinklers and play in the water or find a splash park around town
- Jump Rope – we do competitions to see who can go the longest without tripping. It’s great exercize and FUN! I definitely recommend you purchase the segmented jump ropes (pictured above). We bought several so we could all jump rope together.
- Build with legos or megablocks
- Do a craft together – lots of ideas on Pinterest
- Have a Lemonade stand
- Write a letter to a friend or relative
- Play a card game or a board game – Memory/Skipbo/Uno/Go Fish/Chess/Checkers – Last summer George and I played endless rounds of Skipbo. (I forgot how much I love that game.) The boys received “No Stress Chess” as a Christmas gift. This set helps you learn how to play chess. Now my boys love the game!
- Tickle tackle – I stay in the middle of the room and on my knees. My boys try to run past me without getting “tickled and tackled!”
- Play charades – even little ones can play this. Whisper what you want them to “act” out and let the sibling(s) guess what they are doing.
- Go on an adventure – with four boys, there is always “one” who doesn’t want to do what I have planned. So I’ve learned to tell them we are going on an ‘adventure’ – this might be as simple as a hike, but it gets everyone out of the house!
- Build a fort – with boxes, or pillows and blankets. Read a story in the fort! Or “Go on a Bear Hunt.”
- Paper dolls are fun to create, color and decorate, and then to play with in pretend worlds. Print up a set for free. Or purchase this design kit – something I loved when I was a kid!
- Exercise! It’s easy to be fit with these ABC moving games in the link.
- Take dominos, playing cards or stones and create a path for their cars and trains.
- Be a rainmaker. Fill a cup with water and top with shaving cream. Drip food dye onto the top of the fluff and watch it rain through to the water.
- Play with sidewalk chalk on your driveway – trace each other, then draw clothes, a face, etc.
- Sing a song together – one that requires whole body motions! We like “Going on a Bear Hunt” or some of the songs we learn at church.
- Make a ping-pong ball or marble roller coaster. You can make this one from cardboard tubes and magnets on your fridge or tape on a door.
- Rube Goldberg machines are fascinating! Look around your house and see what you can use to create your own giant machine.
- Simple play ideas are the best! Line a set of stairs with open boxes and drive your cars down them.
- Play Four square – draw a square with chalk on your driveway.
- Melt Ice with salt – It’s cold and fascinating! Fill cups with colored water, freeze them, and watch the ice mix and melt as you add salt to the blocks.
- Build a tent or make one – Tape ends of a tarp together and add a fan, the result is fun!
- Have a balancing battle – Stack a book on your head and walk around an obstacle. Try it again with a pencil on your nose. Or holding a basket on a ball.
- Mix oil and water together with whisks. Watch how the globs stay separate. Add a couple eye droppers and food dye for an afternoon of play.
- DIY marble maze – Your kids can make them with an empty cereal box, straws and glue! Swap to solve the maze puzzles.
- Build a tower out of disposable cups – Use straws or nerf guns – throw darts at your tower to watch it topple.
- Garden – Plant some seeds in your backyard and watch them grow.
- Practice an instrument – Piano, keyboard, xylophone, harmonica, recorder or drums…make it a family band.
- Blow bubbles – Make some bubbles using dish washing soap, water, and sugar (for consistency).
- Have a garage sale –Have fun (and make money) getting rid of all of your stuff. A successful garage sale helps you meet your neighbors too!
- Visit a Vacation Bible school – There’s one going on each week in your town. Some are free and they teach your kids awesome life (and eternal) lessons.
- Have a picnic – Instead of eating lunch at your kitchen table for the umpteenth time, breakout the picnic basket and blanket.
- Go to a farmer’s market, festival or county fair. Check out your community calendar and find free events in your area. Click here for a list of FREE Things to do in Colorado Springs.
- Volunteer. Find a local person or organization in need (it could be your older neighbor). Offer to help out for an afternoon.
- Go fishing. Find an ocean, lake, river, pond, or puddle and start fishing. Borrow equipment or spend a little money to rent it from the bait shop.
- Have a parade (or at least see one).Find a Memorial Day, Independence Day, or any other day parade to attend. Or, start one yourself and lead the way.
- Ice excavating – freeze some little things in a bowl of ice and let the kids dig them out
- Nature or City/Mall Scavenger Hunt – Create your own or click here for a printable.
- Build a volcano – click here for instructions
- Race on Plasma cars – This is the best toy we’ve every owned. We’ve had one for ten years and it gets used constantly – rain or shine. My son received this as a gift from his grandparents when he turned 1 and he’s still using it almost 10 years later! We now own three because it’s still their favorite ride on toy. They all want to ride it and the neighbors love to borrow them too!
- Make Ice Cream – Recipe here
- Go to all the indoor playgrounds at McDonald’s, Chick Fill A or any others you have in your town!
- Visit the pet store
- Nerf guns – have a battle or shoot at targets
- Go to the zoo
- Get a joke book from the library or Amazon and tell each other jokes!
- Visit the library and participate in the summer reading program!
- Sponge Bullseye – Draw rings on the driveway, get water balloons or wet sponges, stand back and try to throw it in the target.
- Play Simon Says
- Go Geocaching
- Fly a kite
- Throw a frisbee or go to frisbee park!
- Play “Would you Rather?” – Click here for questions
- Old school Parachute – My mom bought this 12 foot parachute from Amazon and it’s a super fun game from my kids and their friends! You can use an old sheet too!
- Play Duck, Duck, Goose or Duck, Duck, SPLASH!
- Do some texture rubbings on leaves, grass, and other items you find outside.
- Visit a Nature Center
- Play “Pass the Water” – click here for instructions
- Do shadow drawings as seen below:
If you are in Colorado Springs, CLICK HERE for 20 additional ideas of FREE Things to do around town!
I hope this inspires you to get out and play!
What is your favorite summer time activity? Leave me a comment!
Top Five Gifts for Mom on Mother’s day!
- Make or buy Mom dinner or lunch. Give mom a break from the kitchen!
If you live in Colorado Springs: Click here for my recommendations of WHERE TO EAT!
2. Pamper her! A massage, facial, or manicure. Anything to make her feel pretty and relaxed!
- Mom will love a SPA Day; a runner up would be a Spa Kit. I love bath bombs or a good bath scrub!
3. Hire someone to clean for her! This is such a treat for mom to get a break from cleaning. I have four boys and the messes never end. I LOVE having someone clean for me every once in a while!
4. Give Mom some time alone! Every Mother’s Day, my husband gives me a couple of hours just myself. To nap, read, slowly sip my coffee (while it’s still hot) and just relax. With four little boys, that is such a precious GIFT! Once my kids are older and out of the house, this one might change to “time with everyone together!” I get to enjoy that most days, so a quiet break is a gift to me.
5. Homemade gifts or cards. Sweet hand-made cards from my boys are some of my most treasured possessions!
Other options that mom should love:
A plant or fresh flowers:
A pressure cooker for a mom that likes to cook (I love mine):
A great book – I want this one:
What is something YOU like to give or receive for Mother’s Day?
Peek into my week with Mom! (And my traumatic pedicure)
It’s always a good week when Mom’s in town. She only comes to Colorado once a year, so we make the most of our time together when she’s here.
She flew in Tuesday night, and the first thing she got to do was babysit my kids!
WEDNESDAY
I work on Wednesdays and thankfully, she loves to spend time with her grandkids.
That night we went to New Life for the First Wednesday service. It was an incredible night of worship. We went with all four boys – thankfully it’s a relaxed family service, so they got to dance around with their friends. If you live in Colorado Springs, you’ve got to come! It’s the First Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.
THURSDAY
Thursday morning Luke had preschool, so mom and I got to go our Mom’s group/Bible study. Up until now, my mom has only participated with the group online, so I loved getting to introduce her to so many of the ladies in person!
Thursday afternoon my mom kindly offered to pay for a pedicure while she watched the kids. (I’ve got a good mom!)
I went to a salon close by that I’d never been to before. My pedicure was a little uncomfortable … at one point I felt a sharp stab in the corner of my toe. By that night, my toe was swollen.
FRIDAY
Friday my toe was still hurting but I got through the day by wearing comfy shoes. At church that night we baptized about 30 people. I love being a part of those special nights. Two of my sons were baptized a few months ago (I wrote about it here).
SATURDAY
We to the Pioneer Museum and then to LarkBurger for dinner. My mom agreed that their chicken sandwiches and fries are some of the best things she’s ever eaten!
That night, Ted stayed home with the boys and my mom and I went to see The Apostle Paul movie. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a GREAT movie…I recommend you see it! It truly brings the Bible to life and I hope more movies like this are made! There are some frightening parts, so it’s probably best for children 12 and up.
SUNDAY
We explored Helen Hunt Falls and Cheyenne canyon, then went to Modern Market for dinner. (Kids eat FREE at Modern Market on Sundays!)
Toe is still sore – wearing comfy shoes and limping.
MONDAY
The boys took the day off school to spend time with Grandma. We planned to visit Cave of the Winds, but Luke was up sick the night before, my mom wasn’t feeling good, and my foot was only getting worse, so we decided to stay closer to home and hike in the Garden of the Gods. That’s always an amazing place to visit.
That afternoon I decided to go back to the nail salon to show them my swelling toe and they told me it was an ingrown toe nail. They soaked it and then DUG at it with a knife. This is the toe that I didn’t want to touch because it was hurting so bad. The lady DUG at it with a knife. And she wouldn’t stop. She kept digging until she got a piece of my toenail free. It hurt so bad I just start crying right there in front of everyone. She squeezed it at the end and asked if it was better. “NO! You just dug at it with a knife – please stop SQUEEZING it!”
TUESDAY
Luke had preschool so mom, and I got to be Tourists in our Town. I got to show her all around town and drop copies of “Climb, Soar, Swim, Soar” off at Terra Verde and the Pioneer Museum who now have them available for sale! I’ll write about where we ate and what we did in a future post.
That night mom watched the boys so Ted and I could go to dinner.
WEDNESDAY
I had to take my mom to the airport. It’s so hard letting her leave because I’m not sure when I’ll see her again. Mom, I love you and visit again soon! Thank you for spending the week with us!
TOE UPDATE:
My toe continued to get worse. I should have gone to the doctor rather than back to the scene of the crime. The lady who was digging at my foot caused a serious infection. My entire foot got so swollen that I couldn’t wear shoes. It hurt to walk. I was putting everything on it to make it heal, but nothing worked so I finally went to the doctor and got antibiotics. The doctor said I could lose my toenail. What was supposed to be a nice, relaxing gesture from my mom – turned into two weeks of severe pain and possibly the loss of my toenail?! I’m not sure I’ll ever get another pedicure!? Have any of you ever had that happen? I have pictures, but they are really gross. If you want to see a picture – I am going to post some under my review of this nail salon here: YELP REVIEW. https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=GrsJ5Nir8YjXaNN91ZzTUg
Thanks for following along on week with mom! I’ll post out our DAY DOWNTOWN soon! Subscribe so you don’t miss a post.
Our family of six braved Seven Falls!
Our Seven Falls Adventure!
This area is called the “GRANDEST MILE OF SCENERY” in Colorado and I think that describes it pretty well! It really is spectacular and absolutely worth a visit or two (or seven)!
My husband took me to Seven Falls for my birthday a couple of years ago. We went on a “double date” with my sister and her husband. It was amazing. I definitely recommend this place for a date or double date spot! You get to chat, enjoy the scenery, connect with each other and with nature, all while getting some exercise! We LOVED it!
We’ve wanted to get back here ever since that first visit, so we decided to take all four of our boys during their spring break. We weren’t sure how it would go because our youngest two sons were only 3 and 6-year-olds and there is a lot of walking and climbing involved. Read on to find out how it all went!
To get started, park in the lot at the Broadmoor off of 1st street – next to the Golden Bee Restaurant. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle picks you up right there. After an 8 minute drive, you are dropped off at the ticket gate. The cost in the winter is $10 for adults, and $5 for children. Summer is $14.50 for adults and $9 for children over 2. Seniors and military $12.50. (Prices may change)
After you pay the entrance fee you are 0.8 miles from the base of the Falls, so you have two choices:
- Jump on a tram that will drive you to the base of the Falls. The cost is $2 per person. Seniors are free.
- Walk to the Falls. Walking allows you the opportunity to absorb this grand mile. The 6 of us chose to walk. Well, our 3 year old got a piggy back ride for most of it.
When you arrive at the base of the Falls, I recommend that you start by walking through a tunnel inside the mountain. The corridor is lined with pictures and artifacts from history.
At the end of the tunnel is an elevator that will take you up to Eagle’s Nest landing. After spending a few minutes taking in the magnificent view…walk down the steps or ride the elevator back down.
Next, walk past a trout pound and watch for the HUGE fish that occasionally jump up to say hello! Then, take a deep breath and begin the climb up the 224 VERY STEEP steps. Thankfully, there is a landing halfway up the staircase so that you can take in the view, rest your legs and catch your breath.
We didn’t know how our young boys would handle climbing more than 200 STEEP steps. Our three oldest sons did not complain ONE TIME. My husband carried our 3-year-old most of the way. I can’t imagine having to carry 30+ extra pounds up all those steps. I was exhausted just getting myself to the top. However, 224 steps isn’t difficult for Ted, who climbs the Manitou Incline on a regular basis. The Incline is 2,744 steps – more than 10 times as many steps as Seven Falls.
If you make it to the top, you are rewarded with a gorgeous hike!
First, you’ll encounter a Ponderosa Pine Tree that’s more than 450 years old! Stop here and try to wrap your arms around this gigantic tree. It took all four of our sons touching hands to get their arms around the trunk of this beautiful tree.
Next, you’ll come to a fork in the path. Go to the right for an easy, 20-minute hike. Go to the left for a hike that will take you about an hour. If you have children in tow, I recommend the shorter hike – we loved it. My sister took the long hike and said it was incredible. If you have the time and the energy, do both!
Next, SLOWLY walk down all the stairs. The climb down is easy but VERY steep and sometimes crowded. Keep ahold onto the handrail!
Stop at the bottom and relax in one of the wooden rocking chairs. Take a few minutes to enjoy the view and reflect on that beautiful hike you just completed.
Take time to watch the trout play in the pond.
Hungry? Eat at the fabulous Restaurant 1858. I recommend the Chili Con Queso nachos. They are made with homemade wild boar chili, chips, cheese and pickled jalapeños.
For all my favorite restaurants in Colorado Springs, click here!
Slowly make your way back to the entrance where a shuttle will pick up and drop you off at the parking lot.
Before you leave, take time to stroll around the lake at the Broadmoor Hotel! This is one of the most beautiful hotels in the country and you’ve just got to see it – or stay the night.
I absolutely recommend that you make some time to visit Seven Falls in Colorado Springs. Add it to your bucket list now, and thank me later!
Watch to see how many #eglyboys it takes to hug the Ponderosa Pine!
For my top ten places to visit in Colorado Springs, CLICK HERE!
For the top ten things to do in Manitou Springs, CLICK HERE!
For 20 FREE things to do in Colorado Springs, CLICK HERE!
To get a signed copy of my Colorado Springs Children’s Book, CLICK HERE!
$5 Dinner for 5! (Plus: Delicious Garlic Butter Bread Recipe)
FIVE DOLLAR DINNER!
That’s what we had tonight and I just had to tell you about it!
Here’s how we spent so little on this dinner:
Pasta Sauce was on sale for $1 per jar
Spaghetti Noodles: $1
Turkey Meat: 1 Lb for only $1.50*
Loaf of bread: $0.50 **
Garlic Butter topping (See recipe below): Less than $1
Total: Dinner for 5 hungry men = Less than $5!!!
*When grocery shopping, look for meat that is on sale. King Soopers/Kroger was selling 1 pound packages of turkey for $1.50 because they were about to expire. I bought several packages and put them in my freezer.
**Did you know that Jimmy Johns sells day old bread only $.50 per loaf? We get these on a regular basis to make subs at home, or for garlic bread, egg casseroles, etc. They can be frozen too!
GARLIC BREAD:
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 TB garlic
- 1 TB Italian Seasoning
- Thick slices from a loaf of bread
Soften butter, add other ingredients and mix.
Spread a thick layer on each slice of bread. Toast in oven for about 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Staycation in Colorado Springs – We were tourists in our own town!
We loved spending a week being “tourists in our own town” over Spring Break! This “staycation” was exactly what we needed. Time together, exploring our beautiful city. There are still SO many things on my bucket list to do an see around town, but we got to check a few things off the list.
Read on for some incredible things to do in Colorado Springs.
Monday
We had originally planned to take the kids skiing today, but after the crazy week we had recently that landed Ted in the hospital, we are taking a break from skiing for the rest of this season. Instead…
We spent the day at Seven Falls. Ted and I had been here before with my sister and her husband. We had the perfect “double date” here hiking and enjoying a delicious meal at Restaurant 1858. I’ve been wanting to go back so we decided now was the time.
We weren’t sure how our boys would do with all the walking and climbing, but they were TROOPERS! They enjoyed it and didn’t complain at all!
We walked through a mountain cave to an elevator which took us up to the Eagle’s Nest Landing – once you are on the landing, you get a spectacular view of the waterfall.
Next, we walked up 224 VERY steep stairs alongside the Falls. The boys did surprisingly well – I was in front and George actually asked me to “go faster!” (Ted carried Luke most of the way!) If you conquer all those steps, you are rewarded with a beautiful trail to explore.
We spent time exploring at the top before we came back down and watched the very large trout play in the pond.
After all this hiking, we were hungry and everyone wanted Larkburger for dinner. We all love this place, and I love that we can get sandwiches for $3 during Happy Hour!!
Tuesday
Being a member of the YMCA means that you get access to all the campuses around town… each place has something unique for families to enjoy. Today we spent a few hours at the Cottonwood Creek Rec Center. They have a wave pool, lazy river and huge slide – it’s like a smaller version of Great Wolf Lodge.
Wednesday
I went to work in the morning for a couple of meetings and to do some Easter preparations.
After work, we went to another YMCA – the Garden Ranch location – where they have Rock Climbing and Jumpy Castles for kids!
Thursday
First – in honor of Easter – we quietly snuck outside to “egg” our neighbors before they woke up. Go here to read about that.
After that, we went to the Western Mining Museum. Our oldest son George, age 10, had been begging us to take him back here since his first visit a few weeks ago with his class on a field trip.
The boys loved “mining for gold” (aka “playing in mud”). They found some fun little gems and everything you find; you get to take home!
There are lots of machines and hands-on stations. I recommend taking the guided tour that happens twice a day. The tour guide explained how the machines were used and fired each one up so we could watch how they work. The Guide taught us a lot about the history of Colorado mining. Outside the museum, there are more machines to climb on and explore, plus tons of room to run and play.
Friday
In the morning, all four boys went to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned. I love our dentist’s office – they have a room with four chairs and all my boys can get their teeth cleaned at the SAME TIME! Can I tell you how much I love that?! It’s a pediatric dentist – so the lobby is well-equipped for kids, the staff are GREAT with kids. Since the boys all did well during their visit – they each earned a “token” which they redeemed for a small prize. There is even a playground as you exit the building!
That afternoon we enjoyed a couple of hours downtown. First we stopped at Story Coffee. It’s the cutest little coffee shop next to Acacia Park. And when I say little, I mean TINY…as in TINY house TINY. It’s not a place you’d sit and enjoy a private conversation or a board game. However, just outside the coffee shop is a park with tables. My latte was perfect and the baked goods we ordered were delicious.
After Ted and I loaded up on caffeine and the boys on sugar, the boys threw a football with Ted and played in the park.
That evening I went to New Life Church to serve in the children’s ministry during our incredible Good Friday Service.
Saturday
We spent the day in Cheyenne Canyon. We love exploring this place as much as Garden of the Gods because they are both:
- free
- gorgeous
- have easy hikes for the whole family
- contain endless opportunities for adventure and discovery
To end our week of “Touring our Town,” we had dinner at Phantom Canyon. This was a restaurant we visited during our first trip to Colorado Springs almost three years ago. The ambiance of this place is very cool – it’s in an old building downtown with large windows, tall ceilings and exposed ductwork. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has quality service. However, I wasn’t crazy about the menu. Lots of fried food. We ordered hamburgers and fries for the kids, which they enjoyed, but the hummus, soup and salad Ted and I shared were okay – but not something I’d care to order again. This place won’t go on my list of best restaurants in Colorado Springs.
Sunday
I arrived New Life church by 7:00 AM to prepare for the guests that would be arriving for the 8:00 AM service. Ted and the boys arrived later and we attended the 10:00 AM service together. I stayed to serve again for our third service. It was great day at New Life!
After church the boys enjoyed opening their Easter baskets and hunting for eggs in our backyard.
They had a second egg hunt to look for Resurrection Eggs. After the boys found all 12, we opened them one-by-one together and talked about the Easter story using the little items inside each egg. This was a fun activity, and you can probably find the eggs on clearance at Hobby Lobby and save them for next year. (That’s what I did last year!)
We enjoyed (and when I say enjoyed, I mean I couldn’t stop eating) a White Chocolate Raspberry Nothing Bundt Cake given to us by the Newman family. That cake is dangerous. It’s way too good!
That wraps up our week of adventure in Colorado Springs. We are grateful for time together as a family exploring our beautiful city! This was SO MUCH better week than last week!
If you don’t have a copy yet – a recommend you purchase my Colorado Springs Children’s book entitled – Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!
You can buy it on amazon by clicking here.
Or get a signed copy by clicking here.
I’ve also put together a list of free things to do in Colorado Springs here.
And 10 things you MUST to do in Colorado Springs here.
Thanks for following along on our adventures!