Spring Break has come and gone and the girls and I reveled in our 2 weeks of down time. The first week of break was more of a winter break, involving skiing in Beaver Creek and a hearty foot of snow here at home.
We also got our "girl"on visiting the new American Girl store in Lone Tree and relaxing at my favorite nail salon. 
The second week we stayed in Denver at the notorious "High House" so named by my parents eldest grandchild, ideally located at 16Th and Larimer. Beginning with a night at the theater enjoying the Broadway production of Mary Poppins we tried to be tourists in our own city.
We wandered Lo Do through Confluence Park and Riverfront Park stopping for coffee at the REI flagship store along the Platte River. 
Then it was a slow stroll over to the Denver Children's museum. The girls soaked up every inch of the place.
It made me a little sad and a bit nostalgic realizing that soon Hailey would be 'growing away' from this place filled with pretend play.After this it was on to the Highlands for ice cream at Little Man. The ice cream is as good as the atmosphere.
The next day was filled with the Denver Art Museum.
It was here I realized although a four year old can appreciate art involving bungee cords and word pillows, she is not ready for abstract paintings, losing herself in the beauty of a water color, or marveling at historical African art. Especially when she is preoccupied with the candy in the gift shop on the first floor.
Hailey, on the other hand, was mesmerized, and took everything very seriously. Oh, the joy of parenting complete opposites!
(Hanna's word was sunshine)
And, of course, the perfect end to a perfect day always involves ice cream.
On our last 'downtown' day we planned to go to the zoo, but as we arrived we realized this was not an original idea. When one of the first warm days descends upon the Mile High city and over half of schools districts are on Spring Break, there is nothing novel about a trip to the zoo. Based on the crowds that day, one would think that a new species with two heads, five legs and the ability to carry on a conversation had arrived as well. So we, being the resourceful gals that we are, headed to Cherry Creek for some shopping! Then, high tailed it back to the suburbs!All in all it was a perfect stay cation. However, I don't know that any money was 'saved' by sticking close to home, which was the original intent. I do know that I live in a really great place and I need spend more time seeing it with new eyes.
