Puppy Love

Bailey has been a fun addition to the family. We didn't expect a puppy to be more work than a baby. The most exciting thing has been watching the kids play with her. Juliet has certainly enjoyed having the puppy around and has graciously shared her most prized possession, as you can see.

Juliet showing Bailey her favorite stuffed doggy.

Juliet giving Bailey a turn.

Bailey enjoying the fruits of true friendship.

This post is like a box of chocolates

Life has been fun lately, here's some of what's gone on. We got a pup and named her Bailey. Her arrival has been much anticipated. She's a schnoodle (half schnauzer, half poodle) and is SUPPOSED to be more hypoallergenic, though I am still mildly allergic to her. However, with a major haircut, expensive anti-allergy shampoo and me showing most affection with my distant toes the allergies have been minimal. So far she's wonderful--NOT a yapper, self confident, friendly, and potty training has been going well. The kids love her, but I must admit Rich adores her the most. It's been funny seeing how much attention he gives her. But, I'm glad because I can't give her as much as I'd like, seeing as she gives my eyes and nose the tickles.

pre haircut (looks a little more poodle-ish

post haircut--looks a little more schnauzer-ish

Ryan started Kindergarten. We were all excited. I LOVE this boy. He's very affectionate and loving and grateful. But. . .he very much struggles to self-entertain and he's always at my heels seeking attention, entertainment, helping opportunities, learning opportunities, or food. I was so ready for him to start school in order to fill his hunger for friends, teachers and learning!

I wanted to surprise him for his first day of school and found him this awesome Pottery Barn Kids Star Wars backpack for $1.50 at the D.I. I also got him a matching folder and lunch bag. Did I mention he's obsessed with Star Wars? He is. We loaded up the backpack and set everything outside his door to surprise him in the morning. I'm not sure who was happier--me finding such an awesome deal or him getting his dream backpack.

Getting ready to ride his scooter to his first day of school. Sadly, the joy has diminished and he's been getting a bad case of the nerves. In preschool he was a big fish in a little pond (7 kids in his class) and now he's a little fish in a big pond (21 kids in his class). He hates it because "it's ALL different." We're working on strategies to help him feel comfortable and excited again.

Our garden has been busting at the seams with goodies. Ryan found this giant ear of corn. When he opened it, there was 3 cobs inside. We thought it was pretty cool.

We only have one zucchini plant and cannot eat the zucchinis fast enough. We've had several of these wonders grow lately. They've been great to surprise friends with. . .consider yourself warned.

My mom and I took the kids to the circus. I hadn't been since I was a kid and it was actually pretty fun for me. Ryan loved it and Macie thought it was o.k. My mom slept through parts. I guess she's been to enough circuses.

We took the kids to "the shelliest beach in Northern California"--Stinson beach. We've been planning to take this trip for probably 2 years but it's so hard to drive an hour and a half to the beach when we have ones that are only 45 minutes away. It was lame. L-A-M-E. Not one shell. And then we found out that the shelly areas are within gated beach communities and so we wouldn't have access anyway. To top it off it was supposed to be almost 80 that day. We arrived at 1 pm and it was a cold 60. We tried to find any store that sold sweatshirts for kids and only found one random lame store that only had one thing that would fit Macie--this Pepto Pink dress for $3. But, she was whiny and we were desperate.

Ryan got his first "real" haircut. I wanted him to look sharp for his first day of school. He wanted spikes so my haircutting friend, Lindsey, obliged. He and the spikes look great.

Recently, Ryan really wanted to sleep on the hardwood floors. Don't ask us why, we thought he was crazy. Then Macie wanted to join him. But, you know how there are times when it's ok to let a kid do what they want so they can learn a lesson on their own? This was one of those times. To our surprise they slept like this for 3 nights! Then they learned their lesson and started sleeping in their beds again. Let's hope they're not such slow learners in other areas of life.