MOTHS THAT LIVE IN DENVER

Brent had a conference in Denver this year, and when I realized how cheap the flights were going to be, I decided Stella and I would make a trip of it. I then invited my parents and we had a really great time. Denver surprised me--I wasn't really expecting much, but it is a really lovely city.

Our hotel had an amazing pool and the first few days we were there it was pretty much deserted so we had the place to ourselves. It was very fun.

Our room was also awesome BTW...

Friday morning we got up with Papa and walked around the state capitol and around the city amphitheater. 

It was while we were walking around that I let Stella take some pictures since I had my nice camera, but not my best camera. I am proud to say that some of her pictures are pretty freaking awesome, so much so that I wouldn't be embarrassed to tell people that I took them...but I didn't, Stella did. I wish I could have taken a picture of her taking pictures--it was so cute. Especially when she told us to smile or when she told my dad and I to hold hands. 

STELLA'S WORK:

Here are some of my attempts to take scenic shots, not as good as Stella's really...

The first night we were there, after visiting some friends who live in town, Stella and I walked to the 7-11 and chanced upon the most amazing glazed donuts I have ever had in my life. I talked about them non-stop, and when we went the next night to find them and they were sold out I was devastated. The next day, I made sure to stop off there right after our morning walk. They were as wonderful as I had remembered. 

We had a strange visitor in our room for our stay. The second night we discovered a GIANT moth flying around. We tried to get it, but it hid from us and didn't come out again that first night. I dreamed all night that I was getting it and it was flying around me. 

It showed up again the next night and I was able to incapacitate it enough to get it under a glass. It was still alive when we sent it off with housekeeping. It might have been the weirdest thing I have had happen to me while staying in a hotel. How that huge thing got in that room the world will never know. I certainly don't think I will forget the sound of it flapping in my ear for a long time.

On Saturday we went to the art museum, where Stella was able to participate in some fun crafts. Her favorite was painting a tile, and it turned out lovely. It was a pretty nice museum, but we never made it into the modern art building because we ran out of time.

We then walked back to our hotel and had dinner. Thankfully we were staying across the street from Stella's favorite restaurant which is Noodles & Co. So Stella ate that most nights (even when the rest of us didn't). It saved the day when she was so starving but wouldn't eat any real food but her precious Noodles & Co.

We had a great time, and had so much fun together as a family, crazy huge freak moth and all.

FIRST DAYS

Last week was Stella's first day at her new preschool, Children's Discovery. We went together to her new school and she met her teacher and got to look around. She missed the first official day on Thursday because we went out of town, but she went today and had a lot to say about it. She told me her new teachers sounded like her old teacher, and that it was their orders that you don't touch the walkie talkies. She made a new friend who wants her to come to her house and play, but apparently that girl has another friend who doesn't want Stella to be friends with the new friend, so she pushed Stella. Then another girl took a bunny from her. So she said that there was a "pusher" and a "taker" at school. When I told Stella that she'll be going to school with mean girls her whole life she started crying, and I felt really bad. I guess I took the life lesson a little too far. Overall though she seemed to love her first day.

 She was of course super happy to return to Miss Julie's for another year of dance. I couldn't believe how little the 3-year old class looked, and I can't imagine Stella being that little, but I guess last year she was. It was nice for her to return to something familiar, and I liked that too. Less sad for Mommy.

THE DOUGLAS WEEKEND

Last week was a special treat for Stella because Aedan and Cali came for a visit. I didn't take a lot of pictures because they were in and out visiting family each day. When they were with us we were just hanging out and letting the kids play together which is what they do the very best. On Saturday night we had a warm rain and then Aedan and Stella went out and got soaked! Cali finally made it out too, but it was too dark for pics by then. Summer rains are the best and we simply did not have enough of them this year. 

I just love the Douglas kiddos, but right now I am especially in love with Miss Em. She is so sweet and cute and she smiles at you all the time. Her cheeks are crazy cute and I miss her right now as I type about her adorableness. Her "six month" photo shoot was a huge success. Here is my favorite pic: