Busy with the boys...

Wow, it has been a really busy weekend...and I can't believe my day job starts up again tomorrow already. This stint as a single parent is a lot of work but I'm sure enjoying the extra one-on-one time with my boys, and I'm happy to say that I may have moved up a few levels on Morgan's list of parental favorites. Instead of being solidly at the "chopped liver" level or the "I'm-only-coming-to-you-because-Daddy-is-no-where-to-be-found" level, I think I'm pretty well in at an average, "well, I guess Mommy isn't so bad after all" level. Anyways, we spent over an hour at the park on Saturday before traipsing off to the library for new books. Some nice person donated a whole bunch of sand toys to the sand pit, so Jacoby was in heaven digging, scooping, dumping, etc. I think he would have stayed their all day if I'd let him. We then went to the zoo today to visit the new tiger cubs. They were very fun to watch and super cute. Jacoby and Morgan saw all of their favorites. The crocodiles were especially creepy, so even though they were a top priority to see the boys kept a good distance back from the glass. (:

The biggest news of last week of course was the Fourmile Canyon fire right in the foothills outside of Boulder. It was quite an intense couple of days and we were very sad to hear about the loss of so many homes (around 169). It was really smokey for most of the week so the Public Health department advised inside recess for all of the school districts in the area. I know it was challenging for the teachers at our school to go that many days without any outside time for the kids. We talked a lot about the fire throughout the week and when it rained one afternoon, Jacoby made sure to ask if it would help the fire. The boys have been watching the pictures and watching the bombers and helicopters fly overhead and we've been talking about the families who have lost their homes. Thursday evening was particularly scary when high winds were predicted for the fire area. They actually put the west side of Boulder on notice for possible evacuation because they weren't sure if they could keep the fire in the foothills if the wind started up. Thankfully, the wind bypassed the fire area and they hope to have it fully contained in the next day or two. I do have to say that for all of the notoriety Boulder gets for being a very "liberal", "independent" place, I have been proud to be part of its community and to see all the ways in which people have rallied around the evacuees. There are tons of events and donation stations all over town, all of the grocery stores are collecting donations, and many retail places are donating proceeds of sales. I stopped for gas on Friday and pulled my little Subaru in next to some huge BLM and Forest Service fire trucks, and while I filled up I watched several customers stop and shake hands with the firemen and offer words of thanks and encouragement. Its been heart warming to see the community come together in the face of tragedy to take care of its neighbors.

Creepy crocodile...his friend was under water with his mouth open wide...probably waiting for small visitors under 3'1" to accidentally stumble into their habitat

Two of the four new siblings wrestling...not unlike what happens at our house