Christmas Letter 2016

So ... it is December ... I'm not ready for Christmas, I'm not emotionally or physically able to even think about Christmas, and I don't have a good reason why. I barley have Christmas Cards ordered and I think I have purchased about 4 gifts ... Hopefully my kids can really slow time for me and everything will come together ...


2016 has been good in the Krapes House ... As every house, I'm sure, we have had some ups and downs ... but mostly things have been positive and as a family we are trying to make the best of every situation. In 2016 we traveled a little, we danced, played baseball and soccer, we worked and made changes when necessary. We are fortunate to be close to family so that my kids know their cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles and so they can help us out when needed ;).

We traveled to Loreto Mexico in January with my parents. It was a fantastic trip to a tiny fisherman town in the Baja Peninsula, the resort was great, the town locals were fun, the people we met on the resort were so nice. There was beaches and hiking and beach volleyball and sandcastle making and stand up paddle boarding. The people that worked on the resort would play with the kids and teach them local traditions and survival skills, they would help Lou out when would manage to 'loose his shoes.' They serenaded my birthday. It couldn't have been better timing to get out of the cold and to relax after a busy Christmas season. We also had a few trips more local ... we went to Beaver Creek for a few weekends, and Steamboat and Snowmass (in the same weekend, thank you soccer). The mountain trips were all great and also well needed relaxation points.

Tyler turned 10 this year ... he is in 5th grade and has a fantastic teacher (Ms Jones). We couldn't be happier on that front. Tyler is also enrolled in an online math class that focuses on 6th / 7th grade curriculum. Tyler is being challenged a bit, but is growing ever frustrated with the routine of the same thing every day. I guess I don't know what I will do one day when I don't have to worry about Tyler and school. Hopefully the district is able to make some changes for next year to help us out a little bit. (Because you know, it is all about us and what is best for Tyler ;)). Tyler also has decided to give up baseball to play soccer competitively. This has been a fun adventure with practice 4 times a week some weeks plus a game or two on the weekend. I do have to say that Tyler has been happy with his choice. He is on a great team with a great coach. We are hoping the spring session goes just as smoothly. Since winter is upon us here in Denver, they have gone to playing indoor soccer, which has been a huge learning curve for these boys, but still fantastic. Tyler is still playing the piano. He always loves to learn new things, but he once he figures out fun songs, he will just play them over and over and over. As a mom I wish he would practice more, as a kid who grew up playing the piano I understand that practicing isn't that fun. And probably moving at your own speed is the best pace.

On a boat ride in Mexico, Tyler was leading the way

And This shows how tall Tyler is getting... Not really my 'little guy' anymore

Tyler's new coach



Brooke is 13, she is finishing up her middle school years and heading off to high school next year. I'm not sure how that happened and believe me when I say, I'm so not ready for this roller coaster. She has succeeded again this year to be every teachers favorite and has exceptional grades. Brooke auditioned for (and made) the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive classes in New York and Denver over last summer. Sadly for Brooke I didn't have an extra $10,000 hanging out and there was no way I was letting my 13 year old alone on the streets of New York for 7 weeks. (I know, meanest mom ever!) She settled for the Denver Intensive which turned out to be 80 hours of ballet over 2 weeks. However, in those two weeks she had some incredible training from teachers all over the world. She was offered a position on a pre-professional company but turned that down. She still made the incredibly hard decision to move studios. The new studio offers her 5 different teachers that push her all differently and are helping her to focus on technique and strength. And it is only 45 minutes away from home. Brooke has decided that competing should take a backseat until she gets where she wants to go in other areas of dance. She loves dance again and is excited to be there, instead of all the other drama she was dealing with. Brooke is also still playing the piano. I try to remind her that if she would practice the piano as much as she dances then she would be amazing. She hasn't quite figured that out yet. Lucky for us she has a piano teacher that is extremely patient and moves at Brooke's pace.    

This is how dancers help each other with their make up

Some of Brooke's favorite people to dance with

Brooke and her friend Jasmine at the school Award Ceremony

More dance shenanigans



Our beachside view in Loreto

 

As for Lou he had to give up coaching soccer when Tyler decided competitive was the way to go... So I would love to say he has more time on his hands, but I would be lying. We managed to fill that up by driving Brooke 45 minutes away to dance and Tyler's 4 nights a week at soccer, oh and then homework and piano. He is still working with his family and there have been great business improvements there. It is no secret that there is room for improvement in the employee relations department. It all is a process and hopefully things will get straightened out sooner than later. This fall Lou did take up 'training' with me to run the Tough Mudder and the Hot Chocolate Race. He is still the overly supportive, genuinely concerned guy he has always been. I'm forever grateful that he came into my life all those years ago...

Lou and I before the Hot Chocolate Race.

 

Finally, I'm still working, coordinating a running club for both the elementary school and for my friends that continually support me, and fundraising for the kids activities. My running has taken a backseat this year because I've been dealing with planter fascia issues that turned into other issues. Never again will I tease someone for complaining about their foot hurting. When I finally was able to start running again I then realized what terrible shape I'm in and this process of coming back sucks a whole lot. But, lesson learned... when you have something hurting, don't run on it for another 4 months before deciding to take some time off... perhaps the recovery time will be a lot shorter. Running aside, things are good in my world. I love the challenges that are presented to me daily, I love how I'm learning and growing still, after all these years! I love that I have great groups of friends that push me to exercise on days when sleeping would be so much better. I love that I have people to remind me daily to live in the 'here and now.'

 

After we finished the Tough Mudder with our friends ... Always a great time!

 

One of the colder Bronco Games we got to go to

 

 

That is really all I have for updates from the Krapes family... we would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and sending out the best for a great New Year! 

Our Ice Skating Adventure in Beaver Creek ... they forced us to take a break so they could 'Zamboni' the ice ... Only Tyler was excited to watch that.



Election week in America

I recently read a blog post entitled 'I voted, but I didn't like it.." and at the time I thought, I feel the same way, as an American I was to take my right to vote and vote, but I don't like it. I don't like my choices, I don't like what cities and counties are asking for. I don't like any of it. But, I'm going to set a good example for my kids and I'm going to vote. I asked them questions while I was voting, they helped me research and I'll admit they did a fantastic job of finding only facts instead of propaganda and they asked solid questions that could not be answered. When the results came in it seemed as if much of what I voted for was opposite of the majority outcome, so the kids were disappointed but we go with majority rules. That's how America works.

Then, this week happened...

This week in the Great United States we voted, because that is the American thing to do ... we voted for a new president, we voted for senators and other members of Congress, we voted for ballet proposals, tax increases, judges and policies among other things. And now, America, I'm sad ... I'm not sad because of the outcome of all the these things (because as an American I know that my way is not the only way), I'm sad because of how America has handled itself when they 'didn't get their way.' I'm sad for my kids, because they are only learning about the election system and process and America is too busy throwing a giant temper tantrum that it is getting in the way of their learning. Just like in soccer, isn't it our job, America, to roll with the punches and figure out how to rise up? Isn't it our job to take each thing that happens and learn from it?

Instead, this is what is happening ...

1) Schools, in classes all around the country (at least the 2 my kids attend for sure) they aren't allowed to talk politics... What? Are we teaching the kids that we can only talk politics when we all agree? How is that American? I thought America was about embracing other peoples differences, encouraging meaningful conversations and respecting other opinions. Yesterday that is not what happened at all. My son was told that him and his friends could not talk about the election when they were outside 'running the hill,' and a social studies teacher at Brooke's school wrote on the board that there will be no talk about politics today. How is that encouraging meaningful conversations or embracing other opinions? Guess what? Brooke is in 8th grade which focuses on American History. History just happened and they can't talk politics (luckily the social studies teacher that Brooke has did allow conversation and discussion and on the walk home Brooke was able to have a fact filled conversation with her friend of different views and guess what? They are still friends today). And Tyler, in 5th Grade is also learning about the electoral system and their conversation is squashed when they are outside? Congratulations America! You just tried to teach my kids that everything is fine as long as they agree with you. Which also says, don't think for yourself, don't come to the table with your own ideas. Just go with us, we know best.

2) People are rioting ... Seriously?!? You don't get your way and so you protest and riot? You haven't even given anyone a chance to prove themselves. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said that you should embrace the new president with and Open Mind. And all the crazy ideas I'm seeing and hearing from people. Just like I tell my kids, you don't know how things are going to be until you give it a chance. Let me tell you, I'm willing to try. I'm willing to see if there is are better Health Care options out there, because my options right now are terrible. (Did you know, in Colorado there are only 3 companies that are offering individual health care plans?) I'm willing to see if there is a better way to keep manufacturing jobs here in the states because that is how the infrastructure in the United States keeps moving forward (Hello Detroit?) I'm willing to have immigrants here as long as they are here legally paying the same taxes that I'm paying and living by the same rules. I'm willing to work with a congressman that I did not vote for, who has been a lifetime guy and does not agree with the same things I agree with ... because that is who the people voted for. In America we have told our kids for as long as time that there are people in this world you have to learn to work with, you don't have to be best friends, you don't even have to like them, but you have to work them. If America is going to unite and move forward we are going to have to learn to work together.

3) 2 presidential candidates spent the better part of 18 months telling America what a monster the other one is. Instead of talking policies and plans and ways to improve America they talked about how terrible the other is. What the bottom line is, they used to be friends. Guess what? Neither one of them is a monster. They both want what will help America and American people, they have different ideas on how to get there. Don't we all?

4) On Monday there was post after picture after post ... Don't Gloat, we still have to work together tomorrow ... or something to that effect. Do you know what I saw instead? I saw personal attacks on people. Post after post after post was another personal attack on someone who thought differently than you? Or delete me as a friend if you voted for "insert name here." Again, Congratulations America! You just proved that you, in fact can't, or won't accept anything except what you believe. In fact, you won't even listen with an open mind. Because what you believe must be the only way. 

5) NPR had a great article Thursday Morning stating that if you look at the history of American presidents and elections that American's are always ready for change and basically the pendulum effect swinging back and forth. And this is very common going all the way back to the 1920's. Funny, though I don't remember the republicans rioting in 2008 with Obama was voted in, or the democrats before that when Bush was voted in. If we take anything away from history class, it should have been "HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!"

6) On some of the local levels ... We are passing taxes (2 cents per ounce) when people buy a soda? Really? At the end of the day, isn't the person's choice if they want to drink soda, or milk or tea? We have become such a nation that we are going to try control what people do to their own bodies? And the quote that got to me "...soda companies have lined their pockets for years on people buying these terrible things for their body..." Now I question ... who is lining their pockets with the tax they are implementing on these drinks? And tell me, is that money going to educate people about the effects of soda on their body? Because that worked so well for the tobacco companies, or that marijuana tax that was supposed to go to building schools. I would like to see the spreadsheet on how many school districts actually saw that money.

At the end of the day America the little kids are watching you, they are watching you throw a temper tantrum like a 5 year and they are thinking "it is ok to do that." You have the power right now to change your reaction, you have the choice to listen to the kids conversations before squashing them, you have the power to rise up and continue to move forward in a positive fashion. But you have to make that choice and I promise you... what I saw yesterday is not a positive fashion. And I hope for my kids and their friends sake that you take the power and change your reaction. Because the problem with America right now is not what the election results are as much as how the American people react to those results.         

What I did this weekend ...

So, this past weekend Tyler played in a soccer tournament ... It was not his first tournament and it certainly won't be his last tournament. And at the end of the day it is just a 10 year old soccer game. However, in one 60 min game, there were so many life lessons taught that I had to finally reflect back on it.

Let me first set the stage. Tyler's team played Friday night, they won... they played two games on Saturday and they also won both of those. In the span of those 3 games there was some questionable calls made by the referee's but not enough to cause concern. In those 3 games Tyler's team allowed a total of 3 goals while scoring 8. They were playing well and getting along, the coach corrected them when need be and let them play when they were doing fine.

Sunday comes and Tyler is beyond excited, he gets to play goal keeper for 1/2 and just for the chance for 1st place he couldn't be happier. The game starts out with a very clear hand ball on the other team and the ref says to plan on ... after a very tense 1st half the game is tied. Many questionable non calls and missed calls, where the side judge would hold up her flag and signal for either a kick or throw in and the center ref would miss it. The second 1/2 comes around and the ball very clearly goes out of bounds on the coaches side, both coaches saw it, the side ref called it and many of the players stopped playing because of it. However, the ball came back into play on its own the other team continued play and scored a goal. Tyler's coach was very adamant that the goal shouldn't count and side ref agreed, however, the center ref said that he didn't see it, so the goal counts. Tyler's team played very well, poured on the pressure, just the ball didn't bounce for them. So the end of the game came and the boys lost 0-1. After many tears, the sideline judge apologizing to the parents and an upset coach I decided to use this as a learning experience. Some of the kids cried together and further bonded, many of them told each other 'good game' and then there was that one kid (ok 2) ... The lessons I chose to teach Tyler out of this whole deal ...

1 -- A ref can not win or loose a game for you ... you have to roll with the punches and rise up no matter what the ref does. There will always be questionable ref's in every sport at every level.
2 -- Tyler, being one of the kids that slowed down during the 1 play, I told him to always play the whistle. I don't care if the ball is out of bounds or not, you play until the ref blows the whistle..
3 -- Your coach arguing with the ref was a sheer display of passion for the game and someone fighting for you ... It always feels good when some defends your actions and it is even better when you have a coach that believes in you.
4 -- Always, always, always support your team mates. There will always be a play in the game when every single kid makes a mistake. You fight to make up that mistake and then you encourage for next time. Never ever ever call out their mistakes. You let the coach do that.

Before the game ... The teams... It was like Christmas on the field.

 

In other news ... Lou, Brooke and I, along with some friends, ran the Hot Chocolate Race this weekend. It was quite fun actually ... here are some pictures.

Before the race! Yes, Lou was up before sunrise.

Brooke and Ciara ... still trying to warm up.

Nancy, Caryn and I before the race with the big Marshmallow man!

After our jackets came off ... only slightly frozen ;)

Afterwards, enjoying the after race chocolate.



Summer is officially over ... First day of school pictures

So, for most of my life the day school starts in August basically means that summer is officially over ... I hate it! But love it! I hate the nice summer days leaving and the long days getting shorter, but I love the cooler evenings and promise that a new school year brings. I love the force of a strict schedule and the kids having to be accountable! I also don't love the strict schedule. Sometimes it is nice to just be free...

So I have an 8th grader, she is beautiful and fun and happy and incredibly intelligent. She is a leader, although she doesn't like that, she is a perfect 'suck-up' which the teachers love! She is also a worry wort, an over analyzer and overly cautious, and too many times a perfectionist. I'm not really sure those are all positive attributes.

I told her that this could be her 'official' first day of school picture because the school had her wear a different outfit on the real first day of school.

And I also have a 5th grader... This guy doesn't care too much about what he wears, as long as it is comfortable and not too warm. He is very thoughtful, always helpful, also incredibly smart as well as a quick learner. He doesn't have 'time to learn things two or three times, just tell me once.' This doesn't work too well for the not so fast learners in the class. If you asked Tyler he would rather not be in school, he can find many other things to do...

This is the second outfit of the day, that kinda matched.

 

Maybe my new favorite picture of the kids.

 

Supposed to be summer updates ... in the middle of summer ... oops!

So ... as I logged in this morning to post about the first day of school ... I realized I never posted this... I'll leave it just like it was ...

 

So here are some summer updates ... So far, life has been crazy! Tyler did a fantastic soccer camp, Brooke attended the Joffrey Ballet Intensive for 2 weeks and attended a Master Class from the American Ballet Theater. We finally have 2 weeks off before things start up again ...

 

Tyler, tried out for and made a competitive soccer team, he is excited to start and is trying to stay in running shape so he doesn't 'die' when practice starts up. He has decided that baseball was fun, but he is going to focus on soccer for the fall and then do both sports in the spring... Not really sure how I get myself into these situations, but the kids are only young once right?

 

Tyler's new soccer team ... I don't think he misses his old coaches at all!

 

 

Brooke has danced most of June away and is now enjoying a break. Below you will find one of her solo dances from last year ... It is a Bollywood style dance, which is a form of dance from India, she completely stepped outside of her comfort zone and had so much fun learning, practicing and laughing with the teacher and the song and everything. Brooke has been offered a position on a pre-professional ballet track without an audition, she has decided she will probably turn down the offer as she thinks a little jazz or hip hop every now and again would be nice. So the steps so far for next season are very up in the air!

    

This is Brooke's Bollywood solo at the last competition of the season...

 

One of Brooke's teachers from the Joffrey intensive ... I haven't seen her this happy in a long time

 

Also, in June the kids did the Tough as Nails Run, with some friends ... I'm super jealous as I wasn't able to run it because of some injuries I've been dealing with.

 

All clean before the race

 

Kinda dirty afterwards, but we are 'tough as nails'

 

The creek crossing... Probably their most unfavorite ... but talked about the most..

10 Things Being a Dance Mom Has Taught Me...

As we hit a crossroads in our world, I'm deciding to take a moment to reflect... Brooke is debating and thinking strongly about moving in a different direction with dance. She is wanting to perform a bit more and compete a bit less ... and so in my moment of reflection I've decided to make a list to what being a dance mom has taught me.

1) There really are tons and tons of parents out there trying to relive their childhood dreams through their kids... Some hide it well but most do not. It has been reinforced that I don't like that in a person. I don't like the attitude that it is always someone that didn't allow you to get the score you wanted. I don't like the attitude of people not realizing there is always something/someone better out there. I have tried to teach my child ... there will always be a dancer that has more experience or learns faster or can do more or likes a different style. It is ok and it helps define who we are and sometimes pushes us just a bit more to try harder ... When parents get involved is typically when I see the excuses coming out or the kids upset because of teachers or other kids or whatever. Being the mom that played softball and soccer and know nothing about dance, could I tell who is the problem or what they are doing wrong? Sometimes ... but none of us are perfect and shouldn't we all just worry about ourselves?

2) Some kids are so competitive and mean it just is enough to make me crazy. In the running world we are usually helpful and nice and encouraging to each other, offering assistance whenever possible. In the dancing world many kids are the ones saying 'I'm going to beat you, you aren't any good, I'm not sure why you are even here.' I would much rather hear 'I saw you having trouble, lets work together and see if I can help.' At the end of the day what good does the negative attitude get you? I understand that usually these kids that act like this are trying to over compensate for issues they have, but it doesn't help anything...

3) My daughter being around the older kids a bunch has made me explain things a whole lot sooner than I ever thought I would have to do... I'm not impressed ... But at least most of that conversation has been done.

4) I have been exposed to some of the best music... The radio does not do justice to all the 'not as well known' singers out there and dance has forced me to listen and encouraged me to find a bunch more music than I even knew existed. For this I'm thankful.

5) Dance has made Brooke mature faster and given her a work ethic I only dreamed of as a child. I have enjoyed watching Brooke have a goal, meet a goal and repeat for the better part of 10 years now and I think the work ethic that goes along with the dedication will serve her well when she gets older. If only dance would now give her the confidence she needs to go along with that work ethic she will be able conquer mountains.

6) Like every other industry out there, I have discovered that dance is still all in who you know. It makes me sad that people don't look outside of their group for talent, but at the end of the day it makes it so much easier to 'know' a bunch of people.

7) Dance has taught me how to rhinestone costumes. A skill I never wanted and will probably never use again, but you could possibly say I'm a professional.

8) Dance has made me be able to have a 'pep talk' at the drop of a hat ... No thought process needed ... I'm not sure I'm in love with this skill either but pep talks are needed far more often with dance than any other team sport that I have been apart of. Brooke is totally capable of seeing through the 'crap' that some parents can get by with so the pep talks I have had to come up with tend to have to include the truth ... ALWAYS ... That makes everything a bit more difficult.

9) Some of the friends that Brooke has made, being at the dance studio for so many hours every week will be life long friends. It is true that when you hang out with the same person day after day after day that you are friends, no matter what and sometimes, those people turn into your closest friends... they know you so well... I have also met some of the best parents along the way who have helped me to become a much better mom/person and are available anytime I'm in need a mom101 lesson... Maybe that was the lesson all along. To prove to me that it takes a village!

This is how dancers put on their makeup ... holding the mirror with their feet a friends to 'prop' them up!

And there is always time to goof around, in the lockers ...

10) Finally, at the end of it all ... teachers can make or break a student. Don't get me wrong, every teacher I have met always has great intentions but sometimes those original intentions get lost along the way ... When the good intentions are lost then the student flounders, when the student flounders it is really hard for them to make decisions because one decision can hurt feelings and the other decision can hurt the students potential ... All very difficult for children to figure out and even more difficult for teachers to support or even understand. 

This is Brooke, stepping out of her comfort zone, with her teacher from India, Michael ...

All in all, dance has been an incredible learning experience for the whole family. Coming from a family of non dancers I was in pure shock when this roller coaster started. I have confidence that Brooke will continue dancing. She has taken off the better part of 2 weeks and misses the activity on her body, the friends and the art, the fun of trying new things. However, she doesn't miss the drama, the last minute details, the pressure and chaos or the suspense of hoping there is a good teacher available to teach.

As a mom I hope Brooke continues to perform, she is at the point now where she is beautiful to watch, and you can tell when she is dancing how happy she is. As a mom I hope Brooke realizes her talent and takes advantage of it, but I just want her to be happy