Uncle Jeff Turns 39!

We love our Uncle Jeff. ("un-tle deff") He's great and we're so lucky to have him. He turned 39 years old last weekend and the party wouldn't have been complete without time with Jeff and his best friend...Maelin.

We took Jeff out for his favorite dinner on Friday night: Outback steak house. Maelin was very good. She loved twisting around in the booth and watching the people behind us. She was very proud that she wasn't in a highchair and was a big girl sitting at the table.

Then on Saturday night, Jeff and Kat came over (Auntie Heather was spending the weekend which was great fun!) and we got Jeff's favorite pizza and cake. Even though it wasn't Maelin's birthday (which I said to myself a long time ago was the only time she'd ever be allowed cake), it was her BFF's, so she got cake. She LOVED it. (shocking, right?) Then we played and played till it was time for bed.

We adults stayed up with some nice beverages and watched "Stardust." It's a great movie. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. Full of adventure, humor, romance, evil witches, brave princes, etc. (oh...and Robert DeNiro is a gay pirate which helps....)

We had a great birthday celebration with Uncle Jeff! Kat's is next!

The Girls in My Life

No, this is not going to be about Maelin. If you only ever visit my blog to see what's up with Maelin and/or to live vicariously through a teacher in the ghetto, this is not the post for you.

I've been getting some slack lately about the posts I've been writing. Some people (who shall remain nameless) are a little annoyed that they've been there for me through every single major life event that I've ever had, held a leg when Maelin was born, helped me pack up and move out of my ex's house and gave me a place to stay when I was so terrified that I'd be homeless, went with me when the previous love-of-my-life had to be put to sleep (my wonderful kitty Chloe) and cried just as hard as I did, showed up at the hospital too many times to count when my mom was close to death and argued with the nurses there when I was too exhausted to do it, almost got on a plane to Italy when I was too scared to contemplate going by myself in the hopes that I would go after all, and countless other amazing, selfless things that only true girlfriends will do for you...and there's been yet a post about them.

Ok...you've earned it.

So this post is not about the current love-of-my-life Maelin: it's going to be about the other girls in my life that give me the strength, courage and most of all, the humor to do what I do every day. This post is about my friends.

I have been really lucky all my life to be surrounded by brilliant, self-assured, hilarious and extremely grounded girlfriends. I know not everyone is as lucky. 2 of my oldest friends have been involved in every major life decision since I was about 20. So that means we've been as close as sisters for almost 15 years. Another friend has been around in one way or another for about 10 years and it feels like she's always been here. The final two are newer friends: but that doesn't mean that I don't totally adore both of them and thank god every day that I'm that lucky to have them in my life.

I'm going to start with Kat. As you probably know, she is married to my brother now so not only is she one of my best friends in the world, she's my sister-in-law and Maelin's auntie. That's pretty cool. I am so lucky to have her. She drops everything the minute I call. She is probably one of the most fun people I know: she has an awful singing voice, but that doesn't stop her from belting out any song (complete with incorrect lyrics) if it means it will put a smile on Maelin's face. I'll never forget when Maelin was born. Long story short: although I had wanted all my girls in the room with me when Maelin came, Kat was the first one who made it. She brought snacks. She drank with Kevin to pass the time. She argued with the nurses when they wouldn't give us a sheet when I desperately wanted one. She held my legs and helped me breathe. Then she cried as Maelin entered the world.

She has been there every day since. Who knows better how Maelin likes to dance? Or sing? Who else would I trust my precious little girl with as much as Kat? No one. She loves her as much as I love her and that's so much more than any mom could ever ask. I'm so lucky to have her.

Then we're going to Sherry and Emily. These two have been my rocks through life since I was 20 years old. They've helped me through everything: grad school, parental illness, breakups, weddings, children, etc. They met me out in Italy when I was teaching out there for a fun 2 weeks of girl time and they were sure to call me once a week while I was teaching to be sure I never got too lonely. They were the ones that convinced me that I could go to college and be successful and they were the ones who wrote letters of recommendations and helped me with the essays. They held my hands during my wedding(s)! and held me when I cried over them. They have been my sisters through life. They drove me to doctor appointments when I was in labor for 3 days, showed up just as Mae was making her entrance to get pictures and they love my family as much as I do. Even though we're all busy now and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like to, they are my family and nothing will ever change that.

Now Katey and Christina. These two are awesome. I've known Christina for about 10 years and Katey for about 5 but it seems much more than that. If you've ever met someone and felt an immediate attraction to them because you feel like your souls speak to each other, that's what it was like with both of these ladies. I met them through the people they were dating and even though those relationships are long gone and over, my friendship with them will always be there. I love how much they both love life and adore their friends. I am so lucky to have girlfriends who are as loyal and true as these two are to me.

Now here's the best part: ALL these ladies know each other, like each other and we actually choose to all hang out together! How lucky is that?!? I love that when it's time for me to go out, I don't have to choose who I'm hanging out with that night...we all go out together! Everyone loves everyone else. It's very much like 90210. :-)

There's my post about my girls. Here's a few pictures of some of the amazing things we've done together over the many years.

I love you ladies!!! I'm so lucky to have you!


This is last summer in Seattle with Kat, Maelin and I. We had a great week out there visiting my sister.


Emily, Sherry and I at Em's Bach Party.


This is Katey, Em and I at Emily's "Cowboy" Engagement Party


Kat and I...where we were officially made "sisters" (even though we already were)


Kat, Christina and I at a party for Christina's birthday...honestly don't remember when this was. (there's been a lot of birthdays)


All my girls and I at my baby shower they threw for me. I'm very pregnant and I love my girls!


Emily, Sherry and I dancing at a friend's wedding. Who needs Men when you have friends like this?


Christina, Emily and I at Katey's Bach Party. Oh, we girls LOVE to celebrate!


Love this picture: Kat, Emily, Christina and I at Katey's wedding. We're the cutest girls ever!


Katey and I went to Rome for a week a few years ago. We had an amazing time!


My girl Kat and I enjoying our wine in Paris. I think this was in the red light district right across the street from the Moulin Rouge. We enjoyed our wine that night!


Christina, Kat and I in Santa Fe. For those of you who don't know, Santa Fe is an AMAZING girls' trip. It's a 6 hour drive from Denver and we used to go every year. We love our time down there.


Christina, Katey and I when "Phantom of the Opera" came through a few years ago. We lived it up that night!


Emily, Shery, Katey and I trooped down to New Orleans for my 30th birthday. We spent about 4 days down there and really enjoyed Bourbon Street and our late-night pizza!

Wordless Sunday Pictures

Maelin playing outside in the dirt...her favorite thing to do

I Love My Cousin

We have a good-sized extended family. My dad is the oldest of 5 kids, so there's always an aunt or uncle nearby. However, we were a bit isolated from our family when we were growing up (thanks to a crazy religion that kept us that way) so we didn't get to see our family as much as we would have liked to.

I remember the few times that our aunts/uncles got to come visit us. It was better than we imagined Christmas would be. We were excited for weeks. They would finally come visit for a day or so (that's about all they were allowed or could bear) and we had so much fun with them. I remember just sitting next to my aunt Jane and rubbing her sleeve because I was so happy she was near.

Then they always left. They took the sunshine with them.

As I got older (and crazy religion was a thing of the past) I really took time to make good relationships with my extended family. I spent hours at my aunt's house. I got on a plane and went to visit my only 2 cousins that are close in age to me in Milwaukee...Caroline and Peter. I had only met them once or twice up to that point so it was like meeting strangers. However, it was like the years apart had just made us stronger: we were family.

Over the years, my cousin Peter and I became good friends. I've out to visit him quite a few times and he's come out here and we always had a lot of laughs and fun. We've gone tubing and hiking up in the mountains during his visits. When we went out there, we all went to Chicago together and spent time clubbing at different Blues clubs. We have been to Wrigley Field together and spent many a fun day up at my grandma's Traverse City, MI beach house. There have been many a beer over the years...and many a laugh. For my 30th birthday, he flew out here to surprise me: I'll never forget how surprised I was when I was hanging out at the bar with Kevin and my brother and around the corner was a guy who looked an awful lot like Peter. It took my brain a few seconds to realize...it WAS Peter!! He had been planning the visit for a while and was so excited to surprise me. I'll always remember that as the best part of my 30th birthday.

I adore my cousin. Even though I don't get to see him or talk to him as much as I would like because we're both busy, I consider him one of my best friends. He is one of the most genuine and fun people you'll ever hope to meet.

I was lucky enough to have him out for a visit this past weekend. We had a great time. He brought his girlfriend Megan with him and she's wonderful. I was able to take Friday off of work and we hung out in Boulder doing Boulder-Things and we toured a brewery. We spent last night at my dad's house where the whole family was able to come...all my family who lives nearby and whom I love so much. My aunt, my younger cousins, sister, nephews, etc.

One of my favorite parts of this past weekend with Peter was when we were driving home from Boulder. We had Maelin in the car with us and she was a bit cranky because I refused to put on "Mama Mia" for her (yes, my daughter is a bit demanding). Megan and Peter were in the backseat with her and I turned up the 80's music hoping she would forget that it wasn't "mia". Peter and Megan spent the entire ride home from Boulder (about 45 minutes) dancing with Maelin, clapping, singing, kicking and laughing. Maelin had a blast. We have pictures of her just grinning. At one point I looked back and caught a glimpse (yes, I was keeping my eyes on the road as best I could with the dance party in the backseat) of Peter just smiling and laughing as he looked at my daughter and Maelin laughing back at him.

I had a glimpse of the future: Maelin has a built-in friend now too. Although Peter lives far away, he will always be there for us. Maelin will now be the one who looks forward to his visits and when he finally gets here (or I take her out there to run him crazy), she'll be the one who just sits and pats his sleeve. Family is a precious thing and I am so lucky that mine is so wonderful.

Maelin is a lucky girl to be a part of it.

Here are a few pictures from our visit this weekend...


4 Generations of Kimlings: My grandma, my dad, Maelin and I


Cousin Pete, my brother Jeff and I after many, many, MANY hours of beers. This was at about 2am


Our extended family. My aunt and her daughters, some other friends, my sister and nephews, etc.


My grandma and her grandkids...all the Kimling Cousins


Cousin Peter, my sister Heather, Jeff, Mary, Emmie and I.


Peter, Jeff, Megan and I at the best brewery tour I've been to in a long time. Dale's Pale Ale folks! Gotta try it...


At Boulder Falls...so pretty and relaxing

Winter Time in Colorado

It doesn't snow here very much. Oh, I know if you don't live here, you hear awful horror stories about how much snow Colorado gets and it sounds awful. "Boy, I'd never want to live there" you probably think.

That is true: the MOUNTAINS get a lot of snow. Here in city, not so much. In fact, I think this winter has been one of the driest in recent years. We still have the month of March to go (which historically, has always been one of our snowiest months), but up till now, I think we've only had 3 or 4 good snowstorms all winter.

That presents a problem for a little girl who has a sled that Grandma and Boppy gave her. She LOVES her sled and we've been waiting to take it out and use it. Only problem? Yup...no snow.

Being innovative parents, we have solved that problem. For those of you who don't live in CO and would hate it because of the harsh winters...I give you the following pictures. Keep in mind it's 60 degrees in Feb while this is taking place.

Enjoy!

The Ups and Downs of Being a Teacher

Haven't written much lately about the wonderful topic of teaching, so for those of you who love to peek into the classrooms and see what really goes on, here's a tidbit of what my past week has been like. I'll cut out the minutiae and really delve into the juicy bits:

Ups:

*Having my students hug me and tell me how much they love me...and I know they mean it. They have so little positive adult interaction in their lives, it makes me feel like what I'm doing here is so worthwhile.

*Seeing my kids raise their reading, writing and math scores. EVERY single one of my kiddos this year has made huge gains already: even the special-ed ones. Not every single one is on grade level of course (take that, No-Child-Left-a-Dime!), but they are all learning and I can prove it. They'll leave my classroom much smarter and more prepared than when they entered it and that's all any teacher can really hope for.

Having an old student write me a letter telling me how much I influenced her to get her life moving in the right direction, that I'm her favorite teacher and she promises to always do her best and not get pregnant in high school and she'll go to college. (not kidding: that was her goal and it's a good one considering her mom had 3 kids by the time she was 18).

*Another teacher brought me flowers today as a "Thank You" for the extra help I gave her. I work in a great building: we all collaborate together and I did it because that's what I do, but getting the extra thanks was really nice.

*Feeling like I'm really doing something with my life that may not matter now, or in 5 years, but I'm providing a stable, positive example for every kid that passes through my door. I'm the "port in the storm", so to speak and I love it.

After all that "feel goodness", hope you're ready for this...

Downs:

*One student was called out of class this week and had to go to the office. They never tell you why. She came back about 30 minutes later looking very upset. As I have 26 kids, I didn't have the time right that second to go find out what was wrong, and I forgot about it till after lunch. Her mom called and asked to speak with her: right in the middle of math. I said sure, but I was thinking that was really strange. I had to get back to the other 25 kids and started teaching math again while she was talking to her mom and about 10 minutes later I looked up and she was still talking and crying! I ran over to the phone and snatched it away from her (I don't give a f%%k WHO you are: no one calls up one of my little ones and makes them cry in the middle of the school day!) and told Mom that now was NOT the time to have whatever conversation they were having and hung up on her. My little one was still crying so I got the other kids working and took her to my desk and the poor little thing just broke down all over my shoulder. Crying her little eyes out as I held her. She finally told me that Mom was in jail: she was living with Grandma with her 5 sisters and Mom had driven drunk and gotten caught and left the youngest one all alone. Social services came to talk to her (that was why she had left class that morning) and Mom was calling from jail very upset because she wanted to know what my little one had told the cops.

Can you believe that???? Calling up a 7 year old in the middle of a school day to grill her about what they told the cops (and she must have been terrified to rat out her mom...) from jail???? Unbelievable. I wanted to take her home with me, but I watched her trudge slowly away when the bell rang.

*Almost got beat up by a 12 year old. She (yes, a girl...how cool does that make me???) is the older sister of one of my kiddos and she didn't like that I kept her brother in for 5 minutes after the bell rang to talk to him. Oh, she would have totally beat me up: I don't know how to fight! Luckily, another teacher came by and she dropped it and left.

*Another middle-school boy (brother of the same kid) got in my face this morning before school. He was playing on the 1st grade playground and I told him to leave and go to class. He squared his shoulders at me (for a split second I wished I remembered some of my kick-boxing moves) and glared and left. Fun.

*Spent 1 hour dealing with a punk 5th grader who ruined one of the brand-new soccer balls that the soldiers gave my class for Xmas. I knew it was him but he kept yelling at me that it wasn't him and it was huge drama. I finally got him to break down and cry and now he owes every recess in detention writing my class 26 apology letters.

So there you go. For those of you who wonder what it's REALLY like to teach in Commerce City, that's a quick glimpse of the last 4 days. That doesn't count the report cards that are due, the testing we need to give and collect, the data we need to enter, the phone calls that need to be made, the CSAP test that we're in the midst of giving and oh yes! the teaching.

How many weeks till summer vacation?

Disneyland 2009!

So you all know from my previous posts that we were planning a trip with my mom for her 60th bday to Disneyland.

We're back and we've lived to tell about it!!

We had a great time: however, Maelin was very sick the entire time we were there. After we got home, we went straight from the airport to the doctor and she had a double ear infection, pink eye and a cold. Of course. It seems like the child is always healthy and never sick except when we've got something fun planned. (remember Halloween? She had Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Christmas??? She had the stomach flu)

Anyway, she's just now starting to feel better and act like her old self. She was such a trooper though. I was so proud of her! Disneyland is always fun and magical and especially when you've got a little one with you. She LOVED the Small World ride ("dolls?") and Dumbo ("fly?") and the Carousel ("horsies?") and she now is in love with Mickey and Minnie. She LOVES them. It's the cutest thing in the whole world.

All in all, I'm really glad we went because I know my mom had a great time and that was the main reason we were going in the first place. I forgot how hard it is to take a little one to Disneyland and allow for naps (especially when she's sick and wakes up screaming every night from 2am-5am) but I wouldn't change it. We had so much fun with Uncle Jeff, Auntie Kat, Aunt Heather and Nana and those are memories that will last long after Maelin's sicknesses have faded away.

Here are some of the pictures from our trip. As you'll see, it rained pretty hard the first day we were there (hence the lovely outfits!) and then the weather was great. You won't see much of Miss Maelin's trademark grin because she was feeling so yucky, but every once in a while it popped out.

I think the memory I'll always have of our first trip to The Happiest Place on Earth was how the magic is real and even affects tiny kids who are hurting and sick. Mickey and Minnie took good care of us and I can't wait to go back!

Colorado Proud!

You know you’re from Colorado when…~~

You’ve got a perpetual crack in your windshield

It reaches 75 degrees outside and you just can't wait for it to be September when the snow starts because it’s just too hot out!

When it's 40 degrees outside, you can tell which people are from out of state on campus because they have their jackets on. Coloradoans are dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and maybe some close toed shoes.

The homeless guys outside of Cherry Creek Mall begging for money are listening to iPods.

You were really upset when Six Flags bought Elitches and renamed it "Six Flags over Elitch Gardens", because it will always be Elitches.

The BEST concert venue in the entire world is Red Rocks and you don't break a sweat hiking up to the main entrance.

You never notice the sunset anywhere else. Without the mountains, it’s really just not that nice.

You understand what "Exit Kipling, exit Ward..." means and can finish the sentence.

You know Crocs originated here, and are a little embarrassed

You laugh at parts of South Park no one else gets!

When people call Denver the 'Mile High' City, you remind them that it's actually more than a mile high.

You've always had white Halloweens but only two white Christmases.

When you talk to people from other states who say they have mountains in their state too, and you just laugh.

Everyone thinks you live in the mountains, regardless of where you actually do live.

When you know even though it's summer, it's not a good idea to go out without a jacket… just in case.

It snows 6 inches and you know school won't be cancelled. (HATE this one!!)

You have no true accent.

You wear flip flops year-round.

We ♥ Colorado!!

The Happiest Place on Earth

I know you all know where this place is. I know you've either been there and experienced the magic for yourselves or you've heard the stories. You've heard how college-educated people will HAPPILY pay $8 for a coke. You've heard how normally very hip people will buy a huge Minnie Mouse sweatshirt and insist they WILL wear it once they get home. You've also heard how people spend their entire savings just to take their families there...just once. You've heard the tales...or maybe you've been there yourselves.

Well, my friends, the stories you've heard are true. All of it. I should know: my family and I are officially Disneyland Junkies. I could guide you around that place in my sleep. Honestly, that IS something to be proud of! :-)

When we were growing up, my family wasn't very well-off. There were 4 kids and my dad never had much of a job to speak of. My mom worked really hard at multi-level-marketing type jobs and eventually she had worked hard enough to take us to Disneyland.

Oh, how excited we were! I remember I was in 6th grade and I saved and saved and saved my baby-sitting money. I remember I had finally saved up about $40. I made my mom take me to the bank to change it into travelers checks so I could buy the wonderful things at Disneyland and feel like a grown-up (or rich...can't remember now).

We all piled into our '69 VW Van for the coooooooooold drive out to CA. Oh, it was fricken' freezing that trip! We went in December because my mom didn't want us to miss too much school and our heater broke. (of course it did). I remember huddling on the floor of the van somewhere in AZ thinking I had never been so cold.

But eventually...we made it. I will never forget my first glimpse of the Disneyland sign...announcing you had made it to the Happiest Place on Earth. We had a fantastic time then. I think we stayed for about a week: oh yes, when the Kimling's go to Disneyland, we don't waste any time. We get there about an hour before the park opens and we stay till they kick you out. Then fall into bed so sore and exhausted but still excited for the next day. Then we'd do it all over again...for 6 more days or so. Sound like overkill?? Not to us. There might be a shop we missed or a t-shirt that we hadn't seen yet or if we sat in the front of the car in Space Mountain you might get a better ride.

Things continued on like this for years. My mom would save and save and take us out to CA almost every year from the time I was in middle school. Most of the time, it was just her and us 4 kids. Once my brother decided he was too cool to go, so he stayed home. Another time my older sister was playing in the band that marched down Main Street so we all trooped down because there was NO way she was going by without us! Most of the time we drove out there: I think our record once was Denver to LA in 11 hours. (I drove that time :-)

We took our husbands and girlfriends out there with us. I even went when I was pregnant with MaeMae. My two cousins had never been (horror!) and we just had to take them and they had the best time. We have pictures of us with our various ex's and we went once to cheer up my sister after her divorce. Just recently, I was able to meet my mom out there for ONE day: oh yes, that's how die-hard we are. My mom decided she needed her "Disneyland Fix" and I wanted to go, but I had a 10 month old at home so mom flew me out on a Friday night. I got in to LA around 12 and got up at the crack of dawn and spent 15 hours at the park with her on Saturday and then went home Sunday morning. I remember that trip because it was the first time my mom and I were there just the two of us. I remember sitting at our favorite breakfast spot at the Lilly Belle Cafe (right next to New Orleans Square) and talking about all the trips to Disneyland and what they meant to all of us.

She said that looking back, those are the memories that make her the happiest. She felt so proud she was able to do that for us while we were growing up and she's so excited to start coming with us as adults and as our children get older, to be able to share that with us as well.

I'm excited she's going to get her chance. As some of you know, my mom hasn't had the best health history...in fact we almost lost her right before my wedding in 2004. Thankfully, she's doing much better now and we are leaving tomorrow to celebrate her 60th birthday. Where???

Where else would the Kimling's go to celebrate something? Where else would we be happy to spend $6 on a magnet? Or $12 on Maelin's first pair of Mickey Mouse ears? Or content just to sit at the castle gates with a Mickey ice cream cone watching the world go by?

Yup...we're taking Maelin for her first (but certainly not the last) visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. I hope her childhood memories of it will be as awesome as ours are. Even though she's a bit too young to remember much about this visit, I know the magic will get her too. Just how it's going to, we'll have to wait and see.

Maybe she'll want a $45 stuffed Pooh Bear. Think we'll get it for her???