Preschooler!

Tindra started preschool two weeks ago, and she absolutely Loves it! She just marched right in and waved good bye and that was that. No tears, no running back for extra hugs (though today she was super reluctant to leave and I got the extra hugs a few times) which shows just how ready she was. 

Her mom on the other hand, not to ready. Its been two weeks now and it still feels like I'm forgetting something when I leave without her. Today I had brunch with a friend (big bonus to this pre school thing, I can brunch! With just one baby!) and when we went to leave I kept looking around positive I was forgetting my keys, or phone or something, and then realize I felt that way because I always have another little hand to hold while leaving a restaurant. 

Hopefully I can use this time to get some things done during the week that are nearly impossible with a three year old who refuses to play by herself for even one minute. Soren will usually take a little nap around then so I might even get 45 extra minutes to myself twice a week! 

An update on Remi

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BrightMind #CollectiveBias
Like I mentioned in my previous post, we switched Remi over to Purina ProPlan Bright Minds last month, and while I wasn't positive we would see any changes in him, I was blown away with the results. 
As I mentioned, when dogs are around 7 years old , the glucose in their brains begins to change, which can affect memory, awareness or decision making. Luckily, Purina has discovered a way to promote alertness and mental sharpness with their BRIGHT MIND Adult 7+ formulas. This new dog food contains enhanced botanical oils that promote memory, attention and trainability, which can be visible within 30 days. 
Remi is 7 and a half, but the past few weeks, you would think he was 4 again the way he's been bouncing around. I had a friend stop by last week with her dog for a few minutes, and  Remi was literally running in circles and leaping into the air. She asked what had gotten into him and until that moment I hadn't even thought about the switch but as soon as she mentioned it I had to fill her in. I'm pretty sure her lab will be making the switch soon as well! I'm excited to see what change it makes in him also. This food has helped him retain all the tricks Jasper has taught him (like catching his frisbee, their favorite) and we can't wait to see what else he will start doing again! 
We stocked up on Remi's new food at PetSmart, and  if you Spend $10 on any Purina Pro Plan Dry Dog or Cat Food* at PetSmart between 8/31 and 10/4, you can save $10 on your next Purina Pro Plan Dry Food purchase, 14-lb. or more, on or before 11/1.

We had fun creating a little video of how Remi spends his (week) days. Besides when Jasper takes him out and feeds him before he heads for school, the best part of his day is when Jasper comes through that back gate to play with him and take a little family walk before starting homework. The rest of his day is spent sitting under Tindra's chair waiting for her to drop food, and staring out our front window trying to see if he can spot his best friend coming home. 

What are some of the tricks you would love to see your senior dog start doing again? 


*Subject to availability. Transaction total is after discounts and before taxes.

Hanging Lake in the Summer

We visited Hanging Lake in the late fall (early winter for the mountains) two years ago and knew we needed to take our friends visiting from Sweden. Plus we just wanted any excuse to get back.  It was definitely 'easier' going without big patches of ice, but even so, it's an extremely difficult hike! Especially with 3 adults and 4 children, three of them needing to be carried. Tindra walked a bit of it to give Drew a break but after a bit she was begging to get back in the carrier. Can't really blame her! Scaling boulders the size of your body, slightly tough to say the least. 

Every time we go on a tough hike, half way through we are all 'whyyyy did we decide to torture ourselves like this' and usually Drew is annoyed with me for talking him into going. But then when we are done (or when we get to amazing views like above) we change our tune to ' Yep, SO glad we did that. So worth it.' The pictures just don't even come close to doing it justice, its so peaceful and magical once you get up there. And the feeling you get after a super tough hike is amazing. It's such a high! So if you are ever in the Glenwood Springs area, make sure you do the Hanging Lake hike! And even if you aren't in the area, get there! Between this hike, the hot springs and food (next post) its more than worth whatever drive you have to take to get there! 




*Basically all of these pictures were taken by Sofie (blonde Swedish friend in the pictures)*

Remi and Purina Bright Mind

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

#BrightMind #CollectiveBias

When Jasper was 10 months, we decided that he needed either a sibling or a puppy. And since the sibling thing wasn't going to happen anytime soon, puppy it was. We did some research, and found out about Colorado Puppy Rescue. We went to an adoption event and we knew Remi needed to come home with us the second him and Jasper laid eyes on each other. They have been inseparable ever since. 

I discovered them in the play room once, Remi covered in newspaper 'taking a nap' together

He is Jasper's best friend, our family guard dog, and is even obsessed with baby Soren. As soon as I lay Soren in the bassinet, Remi is right by his side, ready to come give me a 'look' if he starts to fuss. 

Sadly, he's a little over 7 now and his age is starting to show. He's still a puppy at heart, but his age is starting to slow him down a bit. 

When I heard about Purina ProPlan Bright Minds, I knew we needed to test it out on our Remi. 

According to the Purina experts,when dogs are around 7 years old , the glucose in their brains begins to change, which can affect memory, awareness or decision making. Thankfully, Purina has discovered a way to promote alertness and mental sharpness with their BRIGHT MIND Adult 7+ formulas. This new dog food contains enhanced botanical oils that promote memory, attention and trainability, which can be visible within 30 days. 

A few weeks ago we went to our local Petsmart to pick up some Purina ProPlan Bright Minds for Remi, and he is a big fan already! We gradually switched him over so his stomach wouldn't be bothered by the change, but he handled the change perfectly. 

Do you have an older dog? What are some of your favorite activities to do with your dog? We love to take Remi hiking. We had fun creating a little go pro video of our latest hike with him! 

Labor Day at Water World

Our friends from Sweden arrived late Saturday night and Sweden hasn't had the warmest summer this year, so we decided we needed to visit Water World with them so they could get some swim time in. We had four adults and 4 kids, ages 5 months to 8 years and it was so much fun for everyone. SO much to do! I wish we had been able to go on even 1/4 of the slides that they offer, but with four kids, there just wasn't enough time! Now I get why people get the summer memberships there, you would need days just to get through all the attractions once! Most of the time I hung out in the kiddie pools (three amazing ones) but Sofie and I did sneak off and do a really fun (super fast/scary!) ride and Drew and I took the big kids on the some family friendly ones. And of course Drew and Jasper went and did some of the bigger rides as well. 
The weather was perfect in the morning, and then a storm came in the afternoon sending us first to shelter and then we decided to leave since rain + 2 infants probably isn't the best combination. I can't believe we have lived here almost a decade and this was our first time there! We kept waiting till it would be fun for everyone, but turns out Water World is fun at every age, so we will definitely be back next summer!

Thanks for having us Water World! 

3rd Grader

 Last Monday Jasper started school and all of a sudden we have a THIRD GRADER. A third grader who did Not want his parents (and siblings) walking him into his class room the first day but toooo bady buddy. We did it. But we let him sneak off to the carpet without embarrassing hugs. Or we almost did anyway. Tindra cried out "but I didn't get a hug and a kiss!" and the amazing big brother that he is came back and gave her one. But not his parents. We have officially reached the whole 'my parents aren't cool anymore' phase. I thought we had at least another couple of years before that started but Nope. Not cool anymore. Damn.

 It needs to be said that his hair was wet when these pictures were taken. NOT greased back with hair gel. He has been trying to convince me that he NEEDS gel, but so far hasn't convinced me. 

The days somehow fly by pretty fast when we have the whole 'take jasper to school and picking him up' thing to deal with. They fly, but at the same time drag a bit because we miss our J so much. He was my big helper this summer and we miss him SO. But he was so ready for school to start again, and needs more time with kids his own age so its a good thing. Just another one of those hard changes. 
I kept saying to Drew over and over the weekend before he started "Can you believe he's in THIRD grade? Can you believe we have a THIRD GRADER" Yes, emphasis on the third every time. I just don't understand my 8 pound 9 oz little squish is an independent little man. Time seriously needs to slow down. 

With the start of school came the start of nightly homework as well, and soccer practice. (Tindra starts in two weeks!!) I always think summer is so busy and things will slow down when fall hits. H A. Jokes on me. Life somehow just got even busier. But life is good in our Denver bungalow. Life is good.