Days 25 & 26: Neighbors and Cul-de-sac

One thing that didn't take me any time to love was this little cul-de-sac that we call home. I feel pretty darn lucky to live on a cul-de-sac even if it is slopey and tricky for early bike-riders.

If it weren't for the wild animals (bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, etc.), I would feel completely comfortable letting the kids play out there by themselves. We learned from our next-door neighbors to place a few bright orange traffic cones in the street so all the neighbors would be aware that kids were riding or playing out there, and it's generally been pretty fantastic.

This particular day we were out jumping in puddles because it's been raining here like mad and we might as well have fun with it.

Avery really did need that unicorn hat. It looks bright and sunny, but it was pretty cold.

The other thing I love, LOVE, is our neighbors. You can't buy good neighbors, and I didn't even think about that when we bought our house. We lucked out big time. One neighbor has 3 daughters that have all babysat our kids at different times. They literally just walk to our house. It's awesome.

Another neighbor helped us take down a 50-foot high dead tree in our backyard, and then, get this! He thanked us! He said he needed something like that to do that day.

Another neighbor offered to let us take her friendly dog over to our house any time we want during the work week. We have yet to take her up on it, but we are totally going to bring her to play one of these days.

We borrow and lend eggs and sugar and even slices of bread when needed. Back and forth. And, I teach piano lessons to one of the girls. We have memorial day cul-de-sac parties, and one of our favorite neighbors likes to play grandma to the kids. She always has special treats for them for Halloween and Easter.

The kids play on the neighbors playground whenever they want. Dustin hooks up their electronics. It goes on and on, and I know I am lucky.

It's a good place to be. 

Day 24: Once Upon A Child

Okay, I know this picture is kind of lame, but I just feel like a post needs a picture. I also know that every other city in the United States probably has a children's consignment store so it's not really unique to my town, but  here's the deal:

I didn't know these 'sell your kids' out-grown clothes and toys to a store for money' situations even existed until I moved here. (!)

I'm really into it.

I'm a minimalist living with 3 very NON-minimalists. The jury's still out on the 4th. I love sorting through all the toys and the clothes and the things, putting them all in a box over the course of a few weeks, and then taking them into the store to exchange for a little cash that pretty much goes right back to the store for new-to-us toys, books, clothes, and things for a much-discounted price.

In a weird way, it makes me feel like I am making money instead of just spending, spending, spending . . . .

Also, they have these punch cards for everything you buy and sell, and when you fill it, you can use it on a purchase for 20% off of your entire purchase, and I like that, too.

Do you guys do consignment stores?

Days 20, 21, 22, & 23: Breakfast Places

Breakfast is the most necessary meal of my day. I've gotten better over the years, but Dustin clearly remembers thinking it was strange when we were first married that I would wake up in the morning because I was hungry, and I would need to eat right away. Because of this, when I do get invited to a brunch situation, I have a really hard time waiting until the breakfast date to eat.

This means I eat two breakfasts on those days, which means these recommendations come from not a starving stomach, so they must be good, right?

Here are the four places I would visit again. I'm glad they're here even if I already did eat breakfast before I went. ;)

Day 20: The Egg & I: At the Powers location, kids eat free, so when you are toting your kids, it's a great choice. The eggs benedict was delicious and reasonably priced.



Day 21: King Chef Diner: We've been meaning to try this one for a long time, and although it wasn't super convenient with the kids, it was fun. The food was delicious and filling and the atmosphere was SO fun. Comic books are stacked on top of the bookshelf along the front window, and it's crowded and happy. For sure, have some chile verde on whatever you order. I guess it's a Colorado/New Mexico thing.



Day 22: Kneaders: I'm pretty sure this restaurant has it's roots in Utah, and it rocks. We drove all the way out to the location on Powers on Christmas Eve in search of cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, but of course, they are so delicious and life-changing that we weren't the only ones that thought of it. No cinnamon rolls for us. The french toast breakfast is only, like, 5 bucks, and all you can eat. They just know how to make bread-y items.

Day 23: Over Easy: Just went here for the first time on my birthday, and I really, really liked it. I heard the downtown location has better atmosphere, but the food was great, and by the size of the crowd waiting, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. I ordered some pineapple, coconut water, mango drink that was super delicious, and of course, eggs benedict. I don't like making it myself, so I think it's fun to order when I'm out.

So, there you have it. Over Easy is probably my top pick because of location and I want to try their pancake platter next time - bananas foster and the like. It's basically dessert. Where do you like to get some brunch when you get the chance to go out?

Day 19: Josh & John's

Do you have a fun ice cream shop you go to with your kids? We do. We have chore charts, which are basically 'please get ready in the morning' charts, and when they are full, we go out to ice cream as a family. Josh and John's is usually our choice.

There is always a strange question to be answered as seen above. Dustin answered correctly with 'dyslexia,' and scored us a punch on our punch card.

Other people know I like this shop, and they give me birthday certificates, which we quickly spend.

Blake orders chocolate. Avery orders cookie dough or cake batter. Claire orders chocolate chip peanut butter cup and then declares that she is 'still hungry' and tries to swipe a few bites from the other two. Dustin and I normally share a banana split, but we didn't tonight. The ice cream is all made right there in the shop with fun flavors like 'malted mazel toff,' which is my favorite.

The view is pretty great.

The shop itself is pretty cute.

We all leave happy and satisfied. If you live in the Springs, you should definitely try this shop. If you have visited us here, we've taken you there. If you plan to visit, plan to enjoy some delicious ice cream.

Day 17 & 18: Colorado Children's PLUS The Art

When we learned we were moving to Colorado Springs, one of the first things we looked up was how close the oncology clinic would be to our new city. We assumed we would have to go to Denver. It turns out, they have a satellite clinic right here in the Springs, and they have been pretty fantastic.

We finished Claire's last three months of treatment at this clinic, and have continued to visit for monthly, then bi-monthly check-ups. Now, in our third year off-therapy, we visit every three months. It might not seem like a big deal that we don't have to drive to Denver when we're not in therapy anymore, but it SO is.



We have had a handful of scares in the last 2-and-a-half years. Scares where I couldn't stop the body-wracking sobs from coming even though it ended up being nothing in the end. In those hours where my mind thinks it could be something, it matters immensely that the clinic is so close.

I am so glad it's right here in my city.

And, now we visit the clinic for other therapies that have been equally fantastic.

I decided to count the clinic as two different days because the clinic itself with the nurses and doctors, the nurse practitioners and receptionists - they deserve their own day, but something else that may seem silly to others, well, it deserves it's own day because it makes me happy every time I visit.



Through the starlight foundation, they have the most incredible art hanging in the hallways. I've always loved it, but when we were there Friday waiting for Claire to finish her appointment, Blake, Avery, and I explored every single hallway. We were on a search to see all the art. It was almost like being at a museum. Only, it's way more fun for the kids because all the art is FOR kids.


This one is because Blake loves bunnies. He sees them at Mountain Song. He sees them in our yard and neighborhood. He LOVED seeing this painting. He calls them "Un-nies!" I love it and never want to forget it.

I really, really like art for kids. I am so okay integrating art made by them and for them into my own decorating because I love it.

I would be happy taking any one of these home with me and hanging it over my piano. I think they are full of life and imagination. I took a picture of all the pieces, and I'm only showing a few here. Just a few for me to remember that this is a good reason for me to like it here. We visit a couple of times a month with our other appointments, and I definitely don't get to visit any old art museum that often.

Day 15 & 16: Colorado Clouds and Colorado Skies

I clearly remember missing clouds when we moved to Seattle. Really, the entire sky there is one giant gray cloud drizzling on the world below. I guess it was not so much that I missed clouds since, technically speaking, there is A cloud. ONE, large cloud. It's just not what I think of when I think 'cloud.' Here is what I think of:

Hello, Colorado! So, it can't only be the clouds I missed. I must really have wished to see the blue blue sky behind those fluffy white clouds, and generally speaking, Colorado offers the bluest of blue skies. In fact, I think most of the color to be found here, is found in that giant, saturated sky.

Then, on the same day:

Because Colorado skies are moody and vibrant and living, moving art in the most authentic way possible.

Back to it's favorite palate: azure and glowing white:

It's safe to say that the clouds and skies make it into my top ten things to love in this part of the world. Even writing about it here and going on a search with my camera has encouraged me to appreciate them as a fantastic spectacle of nature, and I have a front row seat.

Days 13 & 14: Drifter's Hamburgers + The Views

The girls and I tried Drifter's Hamburgers after our girls' night out tonight. Dustin told me the burgers tasted just like In-n-Out, and I'm all about that. On top of that, Claire is all about cheeseburgers, and Avery loves fries, so, in theory, it is a match made in heaven.

First things first, a bathroom stop. Definitely nothing special.

The details were weird. The building was all New Mexico ghetto, and the artwork was 'let's pretend we're at the beach!' Which. I'm all about pretending to be at the beach. I just can't blame them for that, but you tell me:

The view was pretty good. It pretty much usually is in Colorado Springs. Should that be it's own day? You know, something like, 'You can always get a good view here! Even at Panda Express! Or Costco!" (I'm not even joking about either of those locations, so yes, I'm going to add it right now as Day 14.)

This is before she sprayed hand sanitizer IN HER EYES.

This is after:



I probably shouldn't share it, but at the same time, this is my life.

This weird, NON-atmosphere restaurant makes it on the list of things to like here strictly for the burgers. If I could go to In-n-Out, it absolutely wouldn't make the cut. I like the red palm trees and non-sticky tables AND chocolate shakes at the real In-n-Out too much, but since it's over a day's drive to the real deal, this is it.

Claire wasn't worried about the differences, and she wasn't worried about Avery's stinging eyes either. She went to town on that burger and ignored Avery completely. Avery didn't even start eating til Claire had finished her cheeseburger.

Also, hello little bunny. Because, Colorado.