August 15 -The kids are in bed, John is in LA for a business trip, the thunderstorm just ended and the crickets are chirping outside. I'd love to snuggle up in bed with my book but know that eventually I will appreciate the time I put into this diary (yes, this really is the only place I write stuff down anymore, sadly!).

Lisa's mom just left after a wonderful two-week visit. She filled in some daycare gaps while we were between providers, and oh so much more! The final hurrah of her visit was a trip up to Crested Butte (gorgeous CO mountain town) to visit Uncle Tom (mom's brother) and Aunt Lynn. One-year-anniversary-celebrators Tim & Amy were there too, as a stop on their Westward Ho road trip! The highlight for Anne Peyton might have been the bus ride on CB's free town shuttle - her first since falling in love with the old standard "Wheels on the Bus".

On the daycare front: on July 27 the kids had their last official day with their beloved provider, Kathy Bravo, and her 3 great kids. They truly feel like family so needless to say I was an emotional wreck. Kathy was too! Good thing AP is too young to get it. See photos.

August 7 was their first day with their new providers: Jerry & Marilyn Dean. Marilyn's been in the business for a gazillion years, and recently her husband Jerry retired and now they're a team of two. It works out really well, allowing the older kids to take field trips with Marilyn, and the younger to stay home with Jerry and play. A bonus is that they live about one minute away from us - an easy stroller or wagon ride. That Tuesday was tough: AP SCREAMED and cried and wouldn't let go of my neck when I went to say goodbye. But it's getting easier every day. Today she just got teary-eyed (the first time I've ever seen her trying to control her emotions), requested numerous hugs & kisses, and wanted confirmation: "you come back?". Precious.

Other highlights:
July 14-15 - Overnight at Terie & Casey's in Avon; a wonderful reunion with these two! Also popped in on Nils & Lynette in nearby Arrowhead for lunch

July 15-16 - Lisa & Anne Peyton camped in the backyard to get AP ready for the next weekend. It was fun, despite AP's being so excited about the flashlight that she coudln't fall asleep for hours! Lisa loved it so much she slept out there the next night, sans AP.

July 21 - Father/daughter camping trip near Granby, CO...organized by Mikkel and his friends

July 31 - Peyton/Mom/Nonney arrives! :)

August 4 - BBQ at Becky's house

August 7 - Birthday dinner for Becky - a lovely, intimate evening at Gaia Bistro on Old South Pearl Street - private wine tasting & 5 course meal

August 9-12 - Crested Butte trip

August 13 - Peyton/Mom/Nonney leaves :(

AP's vocabulary continues to burgeon, and she amazes us with stuff she just picks up casually. Last night we were talking about how hot it was upstairs, and she piped in enthusiastically: "are you going to turn on the swamp cooler?". Unfortunately, we've also heard her say "dammit" at least twice after dropping something/making a mistake/etc. We won't theorize her role model, but have made a mental note at her ability to pick up on subtleties such as when is appropriate to swear!

We think she may be having bad dreams. One night Lisa was sleeping in the same bed with her and she said, eyes fully closed, "no, I don't WAN to"...."I wan up"...over & over. Hopefully at this point her bad dreams consist of mommy or daddy telling her she has to finish her dinner.

Tombo's latest pasttime is screaming - either in pure joy or pure frustration/anger. It's freakin' ear-piercing. We hope he gets over this soon. He's doing a great job sleeping at night and is a eating machine when you set him in his high chair w/plenty of finger food.

For photos, please visit http://www.kodakgallery.com/coloradohofmeisters and click on "Late July/August 2007".