DOGS DO WHAT DOGS DO

The latest victim of Toby's is Myles' bike seat. Unfortunately, his fancy bike seat that matched his bike (flames and all) has been torn to shreds. The bike is still ride-able, but not comfortable. Jeremy and I were so upset, but we didn't know what to do. Toby just stood, tail wagging, grinning from ear to ear. He was so proud of his accomplishment. We also have torn up door jams, corners of my cupboards have been re-antiqued, princess doll heads are missing, the weather stripping of our backdoor/garage door is gone, bike helmets have been reshaped, and he has now broke his leash THREE times.Oh..any camp chair that has been left out no longer has a cup holder. And why did we get him? All for the many reasons of having a family pet. Namely, the love and devotion I have seen Toby give these children and the love and caring nature I've seen in my children. We sure love that rascal. But what am i going to do about a new seat with flames?

KIDS DO WHAT KIDS DO

So, we're at the dinner table & Sammie continues to put her hand in her water, then lick her hands. I keep getting after her, "Sammie, that's not good manners. Besides, (I'm just remembering, that I failed to have them wash their hands) you don't know where your hands have been."
Myles pipes up, "I know where her hands have been." (Sammie takes another lick.)
"Oh, yeah, where?"
"In dog poop." (Sammie takes another lick, I choke on my food.)
"WHAT?!! ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Sammie dunks her hand again and Myles tells the story.
"Yeah, we were really brave and picked up all the dog poop and made a pile of it."
Sammie (hands in water)"yeah, and we covered it with sticks in the hole. I was really brave."
"Did you do this with a shovel?"(I knew what the answer really was.)
"NO." (In unison)Showing me their hands, "We did it with our hands. We were brave. Are you proud of us Mamma?"
"Oh, I'm proud alright, but also grossed out. We never touch dog poop with our hands." In an instant I had them in the bathroom, and I scrubbed their hands. And yes, Samantha got a new glass of water.

Easter has come and gone and what a wonderful time we had. The children enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt in their own backyard and then another one at Papa's. All the children looked so cute in their new clothes. Toby has become sneaky at taking candy that has fallen from little hands. (He thinks he deserves a spot at the dinner table too.)

March came in like a lamb and has left like a Lion. We've had storm after storm after storm. The first two games of the soccer season has been cancelled. There is only one reason I"m glad for that, I"m the coach and I really don't know what I"m doing. I want to put it off as long as possible.

I love spring because everything is starting to turn green, the tulips are blooming and the weather is perfect for bike riding. This time of year always brings renewed energy for living and playing.

ALL ON HIS OWN

When Jeremy came home from work Wednesday night, he found Myles waiting for him on the driveway in his Lance Armstrong bike jersey. He announced to Jeremy that he has been waiting all day to go on a bike ride with him. So away they went around the block a time or two. Once they were back, Myles immediantly headed to Jeremy's workshop. He started to look through the tools. Jeremy, curious as to what he is up to, followed him.
"Myles, what are you doing?"
"Dad, it's time to take my training wheels off." (Real serious like)
"OH, well then..." and Jeremy (chuckling) proceeds to teach him how to take his training wheels on and off. He can now do it on his own.

What are they thinking?

I cannot figure out for the life of me why my children choose to use Wal-mart or Home Depot as their dumping station!!! It never fails. Whenever we head out the door, we go through the ritual of using the potty, getting drinks of water, and whatever else so that I don't have to deal with it at the store. We weren't even 10 minutes in Home Depot today and Myles announces he needs to go the bathroom. I'm thinking," We just went, I'll hurry, and we'll go home." WRONG! Myles begins jumping up and down, and shouting,"I need to go number 2, MOM!" By now people are looking. So we go to the restroom. I have no difficulty finding it since we visit their restroom every time we shop. Our bathroom visits to Home Depot usually consist of Samantha touching everything in sight, Myles singing at the top of his lungs and only takes a break when he wants to describe what just went in the toliet, and I'm trying to stay calm. You should see the looks and chuckles I get from other woman. 30 minutes later we exit to continue our shopping. We get to the isle we were previously in, and guess who announces she needs to go? I even tried to get her to go. After 5 minutes of yanking on my arm, I give in and we spend another 30 minutes in the bathroom. Why does it have to take them so long? I"m thinking,'Git in there -n- git er done!" So after a very eventful visit to Home Depot's restrooms, we left. I wasn't giving them another chance.

Our Little Princess

Our Little Princess turned 3 in December and what a "ball" we had! My living room was a sea of shiny, glitter, twirling dresses complete with giggles and high-pitched squealing! I loved every minute of it. Samantha is all girl and can't wait to have her ears pierced so she can have "pokey things" in her ears like Mommy. She truly has been a delight and joy in our lives and I'm looking forward to many more birthdays with pink shiny stuff! Here a few pictures of her with her friends.

Toby the Dog

We finally went over the edge and bought a dog. Per Jeremy, it had to be a purebreed. We've got ourselves an AKC certified chocolate labrador retriever. And let me tell you, he is AKC certified to chew on everything in sight! The children have learned to keep their slippers on, lest their toes become his next victim. And there is no more running around barefoot in the backyard, because I don't think I have the stomach to clean dog poop off little toes. Oh, and have I mentioned the spots on my carpet? A few weeks after getting him, I noticed dark spots all over my carpet in our computer room. Toby is only allowed in the kitchen and computer room. At first I couldn't figure out what it was coming from, and then I noticed Toby walking around, hangin' loose with urine just dripping from you know what. AND he did not care. That is such a boy thing. Luckily I had planned on removing the carpet, this will just speed up the process.

Jeremy is proud of his pure breed and so is Myles. We don't even have to ask Myles to help us take care of him. He wants to do it. He loves that dog and Toby loves him. I think they will grow up to be best buds. Sammie is finally accustomed to having Toby greet her with one of those big knock-her-over hugs. At first she'd scream bloody murder. Now she just lays there quietly on the ground (Toby straddling her-his way of saying hello) and waits until I rescue her.

Despite all the work, we love our new addition. I wonder what he'll think of our next addition. Thank goodness it will come with diapers.