Annual Christmas Letter 2017

On the radio the other morning there was a big conversation about how people don't read, or don't want to read people's 'sugar coated - my life is better than yours' Christmas Letters and usually they get thrown in the trash. Well thank goodness for the electronic version, not wasting any paper and if you don't want to read it, would you have really gotten this far? My guess is no. But I promise you, this won't be some 'sugar coated -- my life is better than yours' letter. I know that we have many of the same struggles that you have -- not enough sleep, enough money, enough family time, or any time for that matter, not enough positive all the way around. I like to focus on the positive up-lifting things that have happened and try to create more of those moments. But I know there are always hiccups along the way...

2017 has been filled with a little travel, a little soccer, a little dance, some transitions into different schools, some friend drama, some boy drama and many 'pep talks' to just get through the week. All in all, we are good, healthy and excited for things still to come, but enjoying life's journey right where we are.

We took the kids to their first concert at Red Rocks... Lets just say my kids live in one giant bubble and concert going is not inside that bubble 

 

Tyler -- after winning a tournament (in the freezing rain) and playing shut out goalie.

 

My not so little Ty-Guy ... is now 11, technically in the 6th grade and still playing soccer and the Piano. I tell you, if I didn't have Tyler I would think the school system is fantastic, I'm pretty sure I have said this since the day he started school. I felt like 5th grade was fantastic, we had a teacher that understood Tyler, knew how to get him to do what she needed and encourage learning in a 'round about' way that Tyler didn't know he was learning. We had a principal that had been trained in 'Tyler' and 'Tyler's mom' so everyone knew what everyone needed to be successful. 6th grade came with new teacher, new principal and no one trained in 'Tyler.' If there weren't so many other factors I may have looked deeper into other schooling options than what we are doing, but alas! Tyler is happy with his friends and he is learning, and that is why you go to school I guess. Is he learning up to his potential? Probably not. Are we making daily sacrifices for Tyler to be in the schedule he is in? Every Single Day! And that is probably why we are a little more frustrated than normal. I'm hoping at this point we have most of the bugs worked out so that second semester at school can go much smoother. Besides school... Tyler is still playing the piano with Ms. Brown. They work so well together and I know the effort on Tyler's part isn't great but there is still progress. Soccer is going well, Tyler (and his parents) love the coach and love the he found something that keeps him active and happy. Since the new season came and the team was split apart there have been a few learning curves with the new group of boys but all good stuff. Ty loves to play goalie and in the process, I have become a better 'goalie mom' -- my pacing along the sideline has slowed down considerably. He has also been moved to a few other positions around the field that he is very happy to play. Lou and Tyler also joined the school on a fantastic trip to Washington D.C. Tyler still talks about some of the sites they say and how much fun they had. I was sorry to stay home, however, sometimes I have to let Lou be with the kids. 

 

Tyler didn't really 'want' to dress up for Halloween, but decided because they were going to the "old people home" at school that he should be festive ... so he chose to be ORANGE ... Lucky for us, Tyler's closet is also orange... it worked out.

Lou and Tyler in front of the White House...

 

This is how these two pretend to act -- you know all loving and kind

This is a closer depiction of real life

Piano recital day -- Brooke is smiling because her giant wedges make her taller than Tyler.

 

 

 

My dear Brookie -- she is now 14, going on 18. She has been my source of friend drama, boy drama, pep talks ... pretty much the typical teenage girl that tells me EVERYTHING. I had forgotten how big of deal some things are when you are 14 and in high school. I don't know how this happened; like they let her graduate from middle school and stuff, but here we are ... Middle school for Brooke was a bit of a game to see what she could get the teachers to do for her. From my perspective she was successful in that none of the teachers wanted her to leave. High School, so far, in the academic department has been much of the same. I couldn't be happier that we are on this side of the academic challenges, instead of one where I need to beg her to do her work. Brooke joined the High School Poms (dance) team and at first really had a difficult time. The coach was terrible (I was going to try and sugar coat that and say something nicer, but then remembered I wouldn't sugar coat...) And after many months on enduring the coach's abusive behavior and a few hard conversations, things finally changed. Life has been better since in that department. As every teenage girl since the beginning of time there was friend drama (you know, she blinked at me wrong or gave me a funny face when I said something) and then there was some times when there really was some mean things said but seems to have smoothed out now. Brooke is also still playing the piano, although some weeks I'm sure the piano teacher is more of a counselor than a piano teacher, but its alright ... as long as she is happy. Brooke has taken the 'be involved' suggestion at the high school very seriously, between the Poms team, Mock trial, track and student counsel I'm not really sure where she finds time for other things, but she does. We are still driving to Evergreen twice a week for her to take 'real dance classes' and she still manages to have a social life. If you ask Brooke, high school is just 'whatever' and life is 'alright' but from my perspective she is pretty spoiled and has things pretty easy.

 

This is the first year that Brooke and Anthony (my nephew) have gone to the same school -- and so far they are doing great!

Homecoming -- these 3 seem to be really close this year.

One of Brooke's first Poms Performances

 

As for Lou -- He turned 40 this year ... I took him on a surprise trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley ... he liked Napa way better than San Francisco and we came home members of a Wine Club ... Funny how that happens. I still owe my parents something incredible because they took most of the brunt of my kids busy schedules (a soccer game is Longmont and Laramie, a Poms Performance among other things). The kids also threw Lou and surprise party (that I got blamed for) but he seemed to have fun and allowed most of Lou's friends time to celebrate with him (and give him many packages of diapers and fiber). I'm just hoping he forgets about all of this in the next few years ... I'm not nearly as patient about surprises ...

 



 

Lou also went to Mexico in January, Washington DC in May, we did the Tough Mudder in Copper Mountain in July, and a weekend in Steamboat ... I think he had quite the year...

 

Possibly my new favorite picture of us.

 

As for me ... I'm still working at Four To Go, and selling over priced beer at sporting events, helping to organize the running club and enjoying every minute of being a mom ... ok -- no sugar coating -- not every minute, there have been many moments that I have texted Lou and told him I'm quitting this whole mom gig. But for the most part, things are positive in my world. For travel this year I spent some time in Mexico lounging on the beach and befriending the bartender (and paddle boarding, kayaking and enjoying the ocean) competed in the Slacker 1/2 marathon in June, the Tough Mudder in July, San Francisco in September, a little over a day in Steamboat in November and then a weekend in Scottsdale. I was very fortunate to be able to enjoy the time away and feel guilty all at the same time. Only talented people can do that... My running this year is much more consistent since I don't have a nagging foot issue which is very exciting and although I'm not all the way back to my old self, there is lots of progress being made.

 

While in Scottsdale (especially when you live in Colorado) you must hike the mountain (hill) in the middle of town, and then find Santa Claus (who had carried the Christmas tree up) at the top!

After the Tough Mudder ... We were still laughing (probably at ourselves)

Lou participated in 'No Shave November' and hated EVERY SINGLE DAY of it! I'm honestly surprised he allowed me to take this picture.

All I wanted for my birthday was to hike up to see the sunrise ... these are the only 2 I could convince to join me...

 

 

So ... that is all the fun the Krapes family could have this year ... Or maybe just the highlights minus all the feel good stuff. We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an exciting start to the New Year!

 

 





 

Needing Something Positive

I need something positive in my kids academic life right NOW ... Today and really this week has been filled with one problem after another after another ... after another. I feel like some people care and most are just like, whatever. In fact I had one counselor tell me ... 'This is a special situation and you shouldn't expect too much.' Are you kidding me?

Maybe I should start an abbreviated version from the beginning. As many of you know Tyler is a few grades ahead in math. He is at the point where the elementary school no longer has teachers to support him so he goes to the middle school. I provide all the transportation, pay all the fees etc. All they have to do is put him into a math class and teach him. With 25 or so other kids. They had a big meeting with me, told me he would have his own locker, he would come on certain days so that he felt like he was part of the school. On the first day, no locker, no schedule, no knowledge that he was supposed to be there at all. After some phone calls and conversations people finally started to do their job and put him in the math class, gave him a locker etc. That hurdle past, I thought he would be fine. A few weeks later there was supposed to be a day where kids that need it do academic recovery and if they don't they do a community service project. After several phone calls and conversations (but no returned emails) it was decided that Tyler should just go to the elementary school and he would be marked excused for the day automatically. A few weeks later I start hearing about issues at the elementary school that Tyler is getting chastised because he didn't do this assignment or this test or whatever. He daily has to remind the teacher that he isn't in that class and so he didn't take that test or do that assignment. Apparently he was also corrected or yelled at for something else and when I asked the teacher to explain she has no recollection. AND then to top it all off... today was another one of those community service days that he was supposed to automatically be marked excused for. Guess what, I got one of those special automated calls saying that my student was unexcused from whatever class today. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Then Brooke ... has a busy schedule this week. She mentions to a teacher she is missing Tuesday for a POMS competition which will be an excused absence (for a school activity) which she should be able to make up on Wednesday but has legal right until Thursday. Well the teacher told her she has to do it on Monday. So to add stress to the poor girl, she wants this 'packet' of work done before she can take the test. So, of course, who gets the wrath of Brooke? I suggested that I could call the teacher and she told me absolutely not. She would just do whatever the teacher wanted. Sweet, this is what we are raising?

So, I know in the school system there are some people that care, and that want to do their job and see the kids succeed, there are... but then there are many (that I have been in contact with, just this week) that don't care or take the non trouble kids for granted or that don't do their job at all. And it is getting really old to have to follow them around making sure they do what they should.

In my line of work, if I have a 'special situation' like I was told that Tyler is, I feel like I would baby it along, and make sure that every detail was taken care of. Apparently in the school system each 'special situation' is looked at differently and this one has fallen through the cracks. So far at the Middle School there has only been 1 person that asked me how things were going and when I told her all the issues her face said everything, it isn't her job to fix the issues or anything so really 'what can she do?' And why should she have to pick up the pieces from her colleagues? So far at the elementary school I have not had anyone seek me out to see how things are going. In their defense I have only been at the school 1 time this year. But they were sure to call and leave a message when there was an incident that Tyler was in the vicinity of and had to tell the principal what happened. And funny, last year people asked me all the time how things were going. Apparently there is a culture change at the elementary school... I'm not too sure I love it.

Anyway ... I'm just looking for something positive ... something to tell me there are good things in this world, in the school system that I'm missing.

Current Events

You know, there are times, many of them actually that I like to put my head in the sand and pretend the world around is not really taking place. I avoid conversations, I avoid reading articles and close my eyes to the headlines. I found this tactic, more than once, keeps me sane. And ... I was doing a really great job of keeping my head in the sand and going about my business on this whole kneeling / not kneeling protest thing. UNTIL ... my not-into-current-events-husband comes home and asks my opinion... I replied calmly with 'I don't have an opinion ... I don't know enough about the situation to have one.' That is what I have taught my kids, right ... you can only have a valid opinion when you know both side of the subject. I have chosen to not know. Right or wrong, that is what I have decided... Well Lou was pretty adamant about having a conversation on this subject, so I said I would have to get back to him after I sifted through all the articles and facts.

While I still don't have an opinion ... these are the points I have taken so far from my reading ...

1) People are looking to be angry. Weather it is over simple things like an outfit someone wore or something more serious there are many people in this world looking to be angry. I don't like it and I make a choice every morning to not be an angry person. Maybe there should be a class on this in schools around the country. I read an article this morning by a soldier's widow and what I took from the article was that some people have forgotten that for many years there are many people in your every day life that have put aside differences (religion/race/gender) and learned to work as a team for the greater goal of winning. Are we so worried about what someone else said that we have to 'divide' again? We forget the unity that has been formed? If so, then I'm more sad to see the superficialness (is that a word) of it all. The right to free speech includes you getting to say your piece and then me getting to say mine weather or not you agree. Lets not forget that. Let us also not forget, that when we work together toward a greater goal, the teamwork involved often times reminds us that just because we may not see eye-to-eye on one subject that person may still be a great person. How would you even know that if you chose to divide?

2) Many many many people who are protesting don't even know why or what they are protesting. Some do, don't get me wrong, but many do not. It is the 'in thing to do' and so they do it. A few years ago when the kids were upset about the curriculum in Jefferson County I told my kids, if you can come to me and give me 3 facts about what you are going to protest about, then I will listen and I will defend your right to protest. Until you have those 3 facts don't even think about it. You will not be one of those people on the news that walked out and didn't know why. And I guess in all my years parenting I have learned that just because I teach my kids something doesn't mean everyone learned that lesson...

3) Another article informed me that college campuses around the country who are supposed to be encouraging free speech are having to cancel their 'free speech' speakers (here is looking at you Cal-Berkley) because the students have threatened to riot. Are you serious? When I was in college, if there was a speaker coming and I didn't care for that person, I just didn't go. There was no I think I'll riot or threaten the well being of another human. I find it unbelievable and sickening. And I guess I can only hope that the next group of kids to go through college are taught / forced to hear and see both sides of an issue instead of riot and threaten violence for those that speak a different viewpoint than your own. And how is that holding up what the 'Free Speech' deal is in the first place? I know I wrote about this very subject not long ago when my kids weren't allowed to speak about election results in a social studies class... The ironic thing about all of this is that the kids can usually hold a civilized conversation with different perspectives and many many many of us adults could learn from them. And by adults I mean literally everyone over the age of 18. The kids have yet to have college professors influence their minds into thinking that life only happens one way.

At a time when there are natural disasters happening all across the world and you see many people uniting and trying to get through another day while also helping their fellow neighbors I'm so incredibly sad that on the other side of the country we see the division happening because people aren't willing to listen to both sides of an issue. People are rioting because they don't like a speaker, people are being violent because of God-knows-why. In a world where there is so many positive things I wonder why we can't feed off the positive to try and help those struggling?   

New Schools...new updates

School has started, new schedules have changed, nights are getting cooler, life is different ... and ... we are all adjusting. I'm not sure I would call all of these positive changes but they are life changes. Ones that you have to go through to grow and become stronger.

Brooke has started high school. She mostly loves it, except for the this whole homework thing. Before now, she has always made the most of her time at school and has had her homework done by the time the day was over. Now, the teachers are doing their thing all class period and give the assignment at the end. And to make matters worse, the 'study hall' time she is given is the first class of the day. She is too much like her mama to wait until the last minute to do the work in the morning. Brooke still mostly loves the Poms team... She thinks her coach, while she is a nice person, is struggling with her role. Brooke has been in the dance world too long to have patience for coaches/teachers that are learning what they are doing while trying to teach them. But the plus side of high school sports is that it is almost affordable.

The first performance Brooke made it through without passing out.

Tyler has started his school, in this dual enrollment at the middle school and elementary school thing. While I think it is a good thing he is constantly telling me that he likes the middle school so much better than the elementary school. Maybe because the teachers treat them like the are grown people, instead of trying to continue to coddle them along.

Well ... I wrote all of the above, then life happened and I thought I would come right back to it and pick up where I left off... Since I'm not sure where I was going with the above post I'll keep it and move onto to the here and now.

Quick update... The Poms team is finally recognizing Brooke and so she is a bit happier... while the coach is still learning, Brooke is still getting her butt kicked at the studio, so it is all working out. Tyler, on the other hand decided that the middle school isn't as great as we thought, heck neither is the elementary school. We are struggling with communication issues (which is a new issue for us) between me and the school. It is almost like we are in limbo mode, he isn't really enrolled in either school while being enrolled in both. It is fantastic.

Academically Tyler is fine; just this morning the conversation in the car...
    Friend in the back seat: "I forgot that the math deal is due on Thursday and it will take me more than an hour so we will have to do that later."
    Me to Tyler: "Do you have that same math thing due also?"
    Tyler: "Oh yeah, I think maybe Friday."
    Me: "Did you do it?"
    Tyler: "Yeah, in class..."
    Me: "Did you convince Mr. Bradley to do it for you?"
    Tyler: "No mom ... that would be dumb, it was a simple thing."

Meanwhile Brooke --"I'm not going to do my math homework tonight, I have advisement with Stosh in the morning and I'm going to convince him to help me or I mean do it for me."

All the while I'm thinking ... "What have I raised?" I guess at the end of the day it is how they 'play the game' at school and they are learning weather they admit it or not... so I should be happy.

To other news besides my kids ... Lou turned 40 ... I first surprised him with a trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley... while he ruined part of the surprise we still had fun and had remember that we did actually like each other before we had kids. Because right now so much of our life is consumed with our kids. The kids and I then surprised with a surprise party that included many friends and family. He still says that he can't believe that many people actually like him...

 The Bay

 

Ghirardelli Square

 

Our Favorite Winery

 



We also took the kids to their first concert ... They were enlightened to see all the things that happen at Red Rocks ... 

Reflections ...

As the craziness of life threatens to over take a person, I tend to revert back to things that always helped in the past. Things that could make sense of the struggles or things that could bring clarity and perspective. I guess I've always known that writing can bring that clarity or therapy or perspective and all too often I ignore it. So here I am ... not sure what to write about. I could put down on paper all the chaos and unstable feelings I have but that isn't the point, right? In days and months from now when I come back to read this do I want to know what the struggle was, or do I want to remember that yes, I struggled... but then I learned, grew and became a better person? And at the end of it all, it doesn't matter how I got here, only that I'm here making positive impacts on this world.

All too often when I sit down to write the first things that come to mind are the kids accomplishments. Why is it, that it is so much easier to write about literally everyone else's successes? Is it because we feel like we are bragging, or ungrateful or self centered if we write about ourselves? I suppose it is easier to write about others also because they won't take the time to write about themselves.

Following tradition, I'm going to write about my kids... right now they seem to pre-occupy much of my world. They are good at reminding me of the good things that are happening and they also are good at reminding me at what I'm forgetting or how I'm not holding it together. I guess I was probably the same way, and my parents would probably argue that I still am...

Tyler has some big things happening at school... they are going to Ameritowne next week (a field trip where the kids 'run' the town for the day). They have a job they have to interview for, they have a bank account and bills. For the day they have to be responsible. Tyler has run for Mayor of the town and has made it down to the final 4. He is so happy. Here I took him for the local accountant, or Bank President, but he had to go show me up... It is good to see him happy and successful among his peers. There have been many days when Tyler wondered if he fit in, because the other kids were messing around when they shouldn't or struggling with a concept when he understood right away. There are days that he hated to go to school because he couldn't handle the kid sitting across from him or he was tired for the teacher.

And in other 'Tyler' news, his soccer team won the last tournament...

Over the weekend Brooke tried out for the Poms team for Pomona... Many people would say that Brooke is a 'shoe-in' because she has danced for so long. What most people don't understand is that Brooke is a ballet/lyrical/contemporary dancer, Poms is a hip-hop/glorified jazz type dance team. Brooke has never even had a hip-hop class that she finished, so her nerves were through the roof. In fact Brooke said after the first day of try outs "This is fun and all mom but not better than Cindy's ballet and Abby's Jazz on Tuesday's ... I won't give those up."  Luckily for her, she won't have to. Brooke made the Poms team, and you know the best part of it? It isn't that she made the team, it isn't that she was validated of being a talented dancer. It was the reaction of the other girls that were there checking the sheet when she was. They were older girls, obviously been through the process before and they congratulated her, talked to her, and welcomed her with such an accepting attitude that it showed me hope in this world. For too long girls have been cruel and mean and jealous and too busy breaking each other down instead of building each other up. I can't express how happy I am to see the positive energy.

I also love to see that somewhere under the dresses and growing up, she still has a little bit of kid in there...

For the positive side of my break down this morning. Keep in mind that I'm usually a level headed, and nice and optimistic kind of girl. I say 'good morning' and 'how are things' and try to do the simple things in life. This morning I did not ... I walked straight to my office and sat down and tried to concentrate on my day. It didn't work... my plan of diving into my work. But what did happen, when I cried ... 2 people completely stepped out of their comfort zone and they tried to help me, tried to put things into perspective and showed me that at the end of the day they care. It isn't the normal 2 people that are always the ones helping me, or shedding light for me or trying to be my savior ... So for that I am forever grateful. Of course, neither one of them will speak of this morning or my break down either, so I'm pretty grateful for that also.

I usually turn to running, at times like this when I feel like I'm loosing it all, when I can't figure things out. And running usually helps, with the steps seeming to help wipe it all away. But running doesn't work when I'm supposed to be working, or just finished a workout or whatever ... So I'm grateful that I remembered, just a few reflections or sentences to help the day feel just a bit better. I once heard a quote the went something like "...we as writers put pen to paper to try and make sense of it all ... " I'm not trying to make sense of it all, just make it through another day and hope for more positive things tomorrow.

 

14 Things ...

So I guess I've always known this day would come ... I guess I just didn't want to think about it... Tomorrow Brooke turns in her registration for high school. Maybe parents just feel overwhelmed when their oldest starts new adventures, maybe I'm just overwhelmed by everything? Either way, during the course of her picking classes there was talk of college and what classes would be best to get into college for this major or that major... And then it all hit me like a ton of bricks... In 4 short years or less Brooke will be deciding what or where she is going to do for her higher education. I'll tell you, when you are having sleepless nights rocking a baby or teaching kids to walk and talk you never think this day will come. Then all of a sudden it is here ...

So in combination with me feeling like I'm loosing my baby and maybe being a bit nostalgic because she turns 14 in a few weeks I've decided to post 14 things Brooke has taught me and 14 pictures she will probably kill me when she sees them on the internet ... After the fact ... the hardest part of this exercise was picking out only 14 pictures ...

1) Its ok to be little ...

2) When you have incredible work ethic, amazing things can be accomplished.

This is Brooke after a Ballet Intensive  with one of the amazing teachers.

3) Vacations and vacation planning is tons easier when you don't have to include strollers and bottles and baby food.

Imagine all the extra bags I needed just to bring along this cute little thing.

4) There is nothing that can compare to the feeling of becoming a mom

This was a mom 'win' moment

 

 

5) Every girl ever has a little Diva in there somewhere ... some just hide it better than others

 

Ok ... maybe Brooke has a lot of Diva moments

 

 

6) Working with schools and teachers is different for every kid ... but attitude is absolutely everything.

 

 

 

7) There is no better guardian than a pet ... Good thing Brooke can borrow some from others ;)

 

 

 

8) Beach therapy is good for all of us.

 

 

 

9) When they have a passion ... a parent can only facilitate ... Let them run after the passion and be only a support.

 

I'm just happy that with dance she has made all of her own decisions and when she is upset she can run to me knowing that I won't be her biggest critic...

 

 

10) You won't always agree with their choices, but you must let them learn. Sometimes trying and failing is the best teacher.

 

Like with the hair feathers ... Like most fashion blunders ... some people have to try it themselves...

 

11) Some of the books kids are required to read these days are some of the best, most addictive books I've read since I was in school.

 

 

 

12) Friends are a huge bonus. Sometimes they are supportive, sometimes they push you to be a better person, sometimes they show you the kind of person you don't want to be, sometimes you argue like siblings and most times they are the ones that make you laugh the most!

 

 

 

13) The teenage years are really really really hard when you have a kid that doesn't want to grow up.

 

 

14) There is nothing on this planet the you could give me to change this journey...

 

 

 





















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.