Toree's Birthday Visitors

Although it has been over a month since Toree's birthday, I didn't want to forget to post one more thing.  That's the thing with falling behind - you tend to forget stuff.  

On Toree's birthday I had 3 people call and tell me that they went to visit her on her birthday.  My friend Jeanne, PopPop K. and my sweet friend Karan (and son Kyle).  It made my heart feel so much better knowing people went to visit on her birthday.  Yes, I know "she" isn't there but it is still a special place to remember her.  Karan also took a beautiful wreath to put on her grave.  Blessed me more than I can describe.  Thank you my friends for visiting my little girl for me when I couldn't make it!  I am so excited to be able to visit her this Spring when we head back to Jersey for a wedding.  Can't wait!

Stock Show Parade {Toree's Birthday}

Each year for Toree's birthday we eat at PF Changs.  It's been a place to remember her at since the day we found out she would not live to term.  Exactly one week after Thanksgiving 2007.  No one felt like cooking that day so we headed to PF Changs.  The day of her funeral we ate at PF Changs.  And every year on her birthday we eat at PF Changs.  

This year Elianna and I were to meet Chris after he got off work at the downtown PF Changs.  There was so much traffic and we kept seeing these horses in the middle of traffic.  It was weird.  Chris had a terrible time getting through the horse traffic.  While we waited for him to find a place to park, Elianna and I stood on the sidewalk to watch all the horses go by.  Finally I got brave enough to ask a lady down the sidewalk from us what the deal was.  She said we were on the backside of the Stock Show Parade.  Makes sense.  Stock show = horses.  

I'm a little disappointed that I didn't know about the parade because you know what was on the front side of the parade besides horses?  Steer.  They let steer run loose down the parade route.  It would be like a not so scary version of running with the bulls in Spain.  Next year we will run with you steer.  Next year.

No idea who this guy was but he was following the parade with his own little parade

Groundhog Day 2013

Well Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this past Saturday.  While I am super happy about that (Spring is coming!  Spring is coming!), I also realize that this is not good for the very dry state of CO.  We need moisture and unfortunately right now that comes in the form of snow.  Also unfortunately, we need lots and lots of it in order for us to not have fire problems like we did last summer.  Right now our forecast shows snow over this weekend so maybe that will help.

That being said, we here in the P-berger household have never celebrated Groundhog Day.  Never really thought about it until I saw some Groundhog Day ideas on Pinterest.  Since we had our church partnership class pretty much all day Saturday, we did not get to do any of the crafts.  Guess we'll hang on to those ideas until next year.  However, we did get to make groundhog pancakes for breakfast.  They turned out cute I do believe!  Next year, we'll dig his "hole" a little deeper for his head to pop out of.  We're also looking at getting him some braces to fix his very crooked teeth.  Also ignore his "fall leaves" eyes.  Was trying to use what we had on hand.  Poor Phil.  He's a wreck.  Those teenage years are hard on a groundhog too.

Not that I believe in a groundhog predicting the next 6 weeks of weather (he's probably as accurate as the weatherman though), but it was a fun breakfast to make!  Thank Punxsutawney Phil.  

By the way, what happened to Punxsutawney Pete?  Maybe he had a problem with his orthodontist.

Karate

Last October we went to the Punkin' Chunkin at the Araphahoe County Fairgrounds.  While we were there, we received 2 certificates for a free month of karate.  Chris and I have always talked about karate for Elianna but didn't know where the best place to go was.  Since we got this free month, we decided to give it a try.  Normally Z Ultimate doesn't take kiddos younger than 4 but the Sensei (karate teacher) said she would do the free month and then assess at the end.  Elianna did a great job and since November has continued on with lessons.

She has a white belt and recently received her first black stripe on her belt.  She is doing a fantastic job!  She knows all of her 8 blocks, knows all her punches and kicks, and is working on her blocks in a half-moon stance.  Her Sensei is also working with her on not being overly shy with people, focus, coordination and respect.  There are so many other things that Elianna is learning from karate and we are so grateful she is able to take the lessons.  Right now she is just in private / semi-private lessons (sometime another little boy joins her) but will soon move into a group class also.  Her Sensei is so great with her!  Very firm but also very encouraging.  Plus Sensei has Elianna do alot of running around to help get out some of her energy!  Yay!!!

Waiting to receive her black stripe

Sensei has them kneel in front of the flag with their eyes closed