Another cold tried to gaslight me into a mini depression, but this one was actually incredibly mild and we managed to keep it contained to just Dempsey and I, so we were still able to really enjoy our weekend. We had an outdoor movie night, visited Spirit Halloween, celebrated Henry’s fifth birthday and ended the weekend on the highest of highs when we put the pedals on Dempsey’s bike and he just… took off! He rode off to his first day of school this morning and I’m still trying not to feel emotional about it all 🥺😭

Our boy has been asking to ride over to school and even though it meant having to ride Joey’s too tall bike (mine hasn’t been ridden since 2019, so I don’t even want to know what kind of shape it’s in 😱), I had to do it! After I perilously made it home, I headed out for a manicure and how pretty is this neutral color?? We try to do an outdoor movie night once a summer and Friday seemed like the night! We didn’t think Lydia was ready the past few years, so this was her first time and I think she really enjoyed it. The neighbor kids joined us too and I thought The Mitchells vs the Machines was really fun and cute. The little brother was my favorite! Dempsey was tired and acting a bit loopy toward the end of the movie, then had a full on screaming meltdown afterward, but otherwise it was the best time 😅

We let our boy sleep in on Saturday but woke him up in time for zucchini bread pancakes (sub patty pan squash because Dempsey brought another huge one home from school!), then we all headed over to the rental house. Joey had a list of things to fix and I chased the kids around and tried to prevent them from getting into trouble. Afterward, the boys headed to Home Depot for supplies, skeletons and lunch and Lydia and I grabbed coffee, played at the park, then went back to our own house for lunch and her nap. The boys were gone the entire time she slept, so I got a little alone time and it felt so nice! Once Lydia was up and the boys were home, we took a much much much anticipated (first) trip to Spirit Halloween! Demps was so happy 🥺😂 Half of the animatronics weren’t working but then they fixed them and it was like unlocking a whole new level. He even bought himself a pumpkin head skeleton with his own money! We had a Target order to pick up so we did that after we left, then grabbed dinner at Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina and we were very impressed, so we’ll be back for sure. Got home and got the kids bathed and into bed before starting One of Them Days, then going to bed ourselves.

We had a relaxed start to our day on Sunday, then headed over to Henry’s birthday party to let the kids run around, play, eat too much sugar and, of course, dance to the soundtrack from K-Pop Demon Hunters because Hannah and Josh’s boys are into it too! I have desperately been trying to get those seven absolute bangers out of my head for days, but it does not help when it’s all the kids want to listen to 😂 I guess there are worse things to have to listen to on repeat! I cannot believe Henry is five already! Does that mean my own son will be five in two months?! Not allowed. Dempsey was not pleased when we literally carried him out of the house to head home and Lydia cried almost the whole drive before falling asleep five minutes from home but Joey did manage to lay her in her own bed and I got salads made. The kids and I played in the sprinkler while Joey made us dinner and those tacos were so good! Afterward, we put the pedals back on Dempsey’s bike for a second go at riding with them and he needed help getting started ONE TIME then was just off on his own. I cannot believe how easy that was!!! I’m seriously so proud and happy that he seems to love riding his bike 🥺🤍 After we got them to bed, we finished our movie and I did not expect the plot to be so Dude Where’s My Car-like but I thought it was a lot of fun. SZA is a natural!

I hope everyone has a great week, especially if you’re surviving a first week of school!

We had a jam-packed weekend to say the least! Felt like I needed it because the kids have been so hard to handle lately (they don’t wanna get out of bed or sit down at the table or walk on their own or do anything I ask 🤪) and it helped get my mom confidence back to maneuver them through our busy days. Dempsey was off school on Friday so we hit up The Bay, then spent the night in Georgetown so we could watch Joey finish his half marathon the next morning, then back into Denver for the Savannah Bananas game and on Sunday, Joey and I go to go be with other adults to see Moulin Rouge. I’m feeling tired but happy about it all 🥰

So proud of my big boy Demps going into the water without his floatie and down the slide a million times too! He’s not always the most water-confident, so this felt big to me. We all had a great time and I’m so glad we got to go again this summer. Afterward, Lori took the kids home for nap/quiet time and I went home to pack our overnight bag. Once the kids and Joey were all home, we loaded up the car and headed into Georgetown. It was the kids’ first stay in a hotel! We took our stuff up to our room then hightailed it to dinner at Cabin Creek Brewing. We sat outside near the lake, which was just as well because the kids were running around like maniacs. Went down to the lake for a bit then went back to our room and watched a bit of The Bad Guys before deciding the kids should go to bed. Lydia finally gave up her shenanigans and went to sleep at ten till ten 😂

Saturday was the longest day of my life! Joey was up by six to get ready and out the door by 6:45ish to head to the start. I just want to say that suggesting we stay in a hotel with the kids for the first time the night before a race is some psycho stuff and I would never, but that was all up to him 😂 The kids and I headed out to the lake in time to see him pass by and then we hopped in the car and drove to Idaho Springs, where the finish line was. He did not get the PR he was hoping for, but I’m proud just the same and it was so fun cheering him on with our babies. They were so excited to high-five him as he passed by 🥺 Afterward, we drove back to Denver and plopped right on the couch for K-Pop Demon Hunters! Finally! I think Joey slept through most of it, but the kids were entertained and I probably loved it most of all. However, I do want to say to the general public who also loved this movie: maybe just try actual K-pop now?? 😉 During Lydi’s naptime, Dempsey and I made a puff pastry poptart and then I cooked us dinner before we headed out for the Savannah Bananas game!

Whew, the game was equal parts awesome and overwhelming! After carrying Lydia to and from the car to our seats on the opposite side of the stadium and just being surrounded by people the entire time, I was definitely saying “GET ME OUT OF HERE” by the end but the actual game was such a fun time. Lydia was dancing and waving and loving the baby in a banana costume that they literally Lion Kinged at the beginning of the game and Dempsey was content to eat chicken tenders and wear his new Bananas jersey, compliments of Chad. There was half an hour left and I literally didn’t think he was going to make it, he was so tired but he rallied. I asked him afterward if he like regular baseball or Banana Ball better and he told me “I like no baseball!” 😂😂 We got home and had the kids in bed by ten and ourselves in bed right after.

We all slept IN on Sunday. I didn’t wake Dempsey up till 9:30!!! Joey made us some whole wheat ricotta waffles and then we both dashed around trying to get laundry and salads done before my parents came at 12:45, so we could head off to Moulin Rouge! My poor mother-in-law picked this weekend for our yearly show thinking it would be less busy than during the holiday season, so of course it landed on one of our busiest summer weekends instead. What can you do? I thought the show was so good! I was surprised at how many of the songs they changed but it still all worked really well and the woman who played Satine had such a great voice. Loved the way the set and costumes and special effects looked too! I know I needed that little bit of adult time because I got home feeling surprisingly rejuvenated. Sent my parents off and whipped up some burgers with herb mayo, Muenster cheese and crispy prosciutto for dinner. Hit the spot! Got the kids to bed and started The Assessment (which we finished last night and I thought it was so fascinating and well-acted, if not also slightly deranged and depressing) before heading up to bed ourselves.

Last week was go, go go for us, so if it was for you too, may this be a reminder for us all to take it easy and let ourselves rest this week. We need it!