A Sad Anniversary

One year ago today we put Eric, my boy, down.  Life has not been the same and I still miss him every day.  The connection that I had to that dog is irreplaceable and I doubt I will ever feel that again.  Below is a picture of Eric (the White German Shepherd) with my sister Linda's dog, Jessie (a regular German Shepherd).  Both dogs are no longer with us.

Sunday

During church service on Sunday, a few of the kids from Vacation Bible School sang for the congregation.  Once again, Katie wasn't really into the lyrics, but more into the movements.  She was dancing and jumping.  I mentioned to Rick on our ride back home that I am tempted to reprimand Katie when she jumps around and acts goofy like that out in public; however, I also cherish the fact that she doesn't care what people think of her.  I recall as a youngster always being told to behave a certain way and the motivator was what would people think, which resulted in a young adult who was concerned with what other people thought.  Now that I am older, I don't give a hang, but I don't want to do that to Katie.  Which is the interesting thing about parenting, you try to remedy the mistakes your parents made with you and sometimes you go too far to the left and create another problem.  I think all parents try to raise their child like they wish that they were raised, but no matter how hard we try we, as parents, will screw up somewhere or perhaps our children will wish we raised them like our parents raised us.  It's all a crap shoot and you pray you don't mess your children up too badly.

Family Saturday

Saturday we had a family day in Abilene.  We ate at McDonald's so Katie could run around the play area.  After we went to the Grace Museum and its Children's Museum.

Katie trying out the Whisper Tube

Racing to the hospital in the ambulance

Trying to save the patient in the back of the ambulance

In the tree house

Power napping in the harem tent

"Introducing Katie!"

Holding on to her head piece and singing a song

Dancing and singing

"Thank you, thank you very much."

Singing the "Don't Lie" song.  It is a song that Katie made up as she went along.  It went something like this, "Don't lie.  Don't lie or you will get a spanking.  Be a good girl and you will get presents."  There were so many more hilarious lyrics that Rick struggled to not burst out laughing.  When Katie's show was over, Rick had tears of laughter rolling down his face.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of Katie as she emoted during "Don't Lie".

We also stopped at Team Chip Tae Kwon Do Center.  We signed Katie up for lessons and bought her little outfit.  We will try it out for a month and if she likes it, we will sign her up for longer.  Rick really wants Katie to take lessons.  It will teach her discipline and how to defend herself--two important issues for Rick.  As a side note, all of the kids at the Center address all of their elders as sir or ma'am, such as "Yes, ma'am"  I sincerely hope Katie likes it and a good sign was when she was watching some of the adults practice, she immediately began imitating them.

Well, that was our Family Saturday.  We were in dire need of time together since Rick has been on the road for the last three weeks.  Hopefully he will be home this week.

Last Night of VBS

Katie wearing her official VBS (Vacation Bible School) t-shirt and pink converse sneakers before VBS  Thursday evening.  It was the last night of VBS.

Below is a picture of Katie from her VBS singing extravaganza.  She told me the little girl next to her is her friend.  When I asked what her name was, Katie didn't know.  Through my astute investigative abilities I surmise that her name is Chelsea.

I had a difficult time getting a good picture of Katie.  Almost every time I got her in the frame, the lady to the left in the coral shirt would lean over to the right.

Another shot I managed to get before coral lady shifted positions.  When coral lady would hold up her camera, it would cover Katie's face.

Katie preferred doing the hand and body movements to singing.  However, one of the times that she did sing, she was one of those kids that kept on singing after the song ended.  Matter of fact, she was the only one singing after that particular song.  Everyone laughed and Katie made a funny face when she realized what she did, but enjoyed the attention.  I video taped a few of the songs so Rick can see it too all though on Sunday the kids are going to sing in church, so Rick will be able to see a live performance. 

Katie's Recruiting Poster

Hmm.....all she needs is the spiffy hat.

All-Mart

Katie does not say "Wal-Mart", she says "all-mart".  Her mispronunciation is typical for a preschooler; however, I don't think it is a mistake any longer because Katie absolutely believes that all of her heart's desires, she can get it at All-Mart.  If she sees something on TV that she likes she informs me, "I'll get that at All-Mart."  If something breaks, she says, "We'll get a new one at All-Mart."  If she doesn't like an item that she has she'll say, "I'll return it to All-Mart." even if it was purchased elsewhere.  Now All-mart makes sense.

One for all and all for one!

Katie and I ran a few errands today.  While at Wal-Mart, Katie found a pair of boots that once she got them on she was magically transformed into a musketeer.  She swashbuckled all around the shoe department just like Barbie does in Barbie and The Three Musketeers, which is one of her favorite movies.  Since the boots were on clearance, we got a pair in black and a pair in dark fushia.  Below is the musketeer.

Rick's Wednesday Picture

It's 9:30 am and so far not too much to write about, which is a good thing.  It looks like it will be another hot day.  My marigolds are suffering in this heat.  Last week something ate a potted impatiens and a few coleus  plants from a planter that I have on the outdoor living area.  I've had those plants outside for almost two months and whatever just discovered them.  I think it was probably the rabbits.

Yesterday I got stung by a wasp as I was cleaning the pool.  He got me on the back of the knee and it really smarted despite using Sting-Kill.  The wasp was on my foot, I brushed him away and he promptly landed on my leg and stung me.  He also tried to sting me on my knee, but I smacked him by then.

Katie and I were in the pool after VBS and she told me, "I like you.  You're my best friend."  That made me smile, but it also made me sad.  The poor child's best friend is her cranky, doesn't-always-want-to-play, ol' momma.  She is getting cheated.

Here's the poor child in Rick's Wednesday picture.

Katie is in her princess indoor tent.  I don't know who likes it more, Katie or the cat.

Angel Princess and Mary

Last night after VBS, I let Katie play in the pool while I finished watering my flowers.  Shortly before we were to go in, Katie informed me that Angel Princess was on the bottom of the pool in a dungeon.  A bad man would not let her go.  Katie pleaded, "Momma pleeeeease help."  I used the pool's leaf skimmer to scoop up Angel Princess and I gently placed her next to Katie.  When I told Katie all was good, she informed me that it was not because the bad man was still in the pool, so I smacked him in the head a few times with the skimmer.  (Did you know you could do all that with a skimmer?!)  Katie thanked me profusely for saving the day.  Angel Princess came into the house with us and also took a shower with us.  When it was time for Katie to go to sleep, Angel Princess watched over her.

Another friend that has been making a regular "appearance" is Mary.  I first heard about Mary after my sisters visited and friend Mary slowly morphed from Auntie Maryel.  Now Mary is a separate person.  She lives in a house in our back yard and is quite adventurous and is the authority on all things.  For example, the other day Katie took a fudgsicle from the freezer.  When I questioned Katie about doing this without first asking, Katie told me, "Mary said I could have a fudgsicle."  Mary has also encouraged Katie to do other things.  I think Mary and I will eventually butt heads on what is best for Katie.  In the meantime, Mary keeps Katie company.

Such Is My Life

I've been trying to plan the rest of the summer.  Katie and I need to take our annual Mommy and Me trip to my parents and I also want Katie to take swim lessons.  I also have to work around ballet camp.  When you look at the summer as a series of weeks to schedule activities, it is painfully short.  As for our trip, it is looking like it will be in August unless some seats open in July, which is my preferred time.  Katie and I use Rick's frequent flyer miles to fly and I am being a snob and want to be in first class and on a 777.  It's just not working out.

Today, Katie is not having a good day.  She hasn't done anything horrible, but she is also not listening.  For some reason, she believes that all wrappers and other bits of Katie-created garbage must be handed to Momma or left on the floor.  When I tell her to throw it away, she usually does it right away, but why do I have to tell her at all?  And why do I look like the official garbage-throw-awayer?  She also borrowed my iPod.  I didn't realize it until I went through one of her treasure bags--a paper gift bag that she has been carrying around.  I also found 7 spools of thread, 2 sewing machine bobbins and 5 buttons.  Someone went into my sewing case.  I removed the treasures from her bag and proceeded to crinkle the bag up, which resulted in loud, pathetic cries from Katie.  I was ruining her package for Daddy.  So there you go Rick, your present was some sewing supplies and my iPod.  Sorry to ruin the surprise.  This morning she also got into the unfrozen ice pops--she likes to drink the liquid, or should I say colored sugar water.  When she tore an ice pop off of the strip, she of course ripped it.  There was purple and blue ice pop liquid on the floor by the washing machine.  Furthermore, I had a basket of clean white clothes by the washer, and you guessed it.  I am now rewashing a load of whites.  Apparently, she also tried to open an unfrozen, red ice pop in her bedroom.  Despite my vigorous carpet cleaning both by hand and with the machine, I cannot get the stain out of her carpeting.  It's bad enough that she made the stain, but if she would have told me when it happened it probably won't have stained.  Such is my life.

Below is Rick's Tuesday picture.  I took it a few days ago while Katie was in the pool.  She is hanging on to the side of the pool, floating, with her piggle toes out of the water as she sang a song.

CACS

Below is a picture of what Rick bought for us last Friday on his way home from the airport.

It is a swing.  But not only is it a swing, it's a canopied swing.  But not only is it a canopied swing, it is a adjustable canopied swing.  The canopy tilts so you can angle the sun out.  But the best part is that not only is it a adjustable canopied swing, it is a convertible, adjustable canopied swing.  The back folds down and you have a bed/hammock for short people like me!  Second bonus is that it came with two lime green pillows and the cushions are very comfy.  We built the swing Saturday evening and ended up finishing it by the light from the van's headlights.  Before Rick left Sunday, we put the convertible, adjustable canopied swing, or CACS for short, to the right of the fairy garden entrance and in the shade.  This afternoon while Katie was in the pool, I sat on CACS and lazily flipped through the pages of my house plan book.  Yes, it was wonderful and relaxing.  Thanks Hon!

P.S.  I had Katie sit on the swing so Rick could get a bonus picture of the Doodles.
P.S.S.  Don't look at the dirt.  We are slowly growing lush, Bermuda grass and we have not made it to the south side yet.

The Purpose of Crowns

I told Katie that I was not having a good day.  I felt like I was yelling at her too much and had apologized to her.  She responded, "You don't have a crown on.  I told you crowns make you feel better."

BB--Budding Ballerina

Katie got into a Cinderella Ballet Camp class for the first week of July.  She was scheduled for mid-July but they switched things around.  Yesterday I was feeling rather blue--Rick left for Dayton--so Katie and I went into Abilene after Sunday school.  The whole aim of our trip was to get Katie ballet attire and to find a Swim With Me Puppy.  Swim With Me Puppy walks and swims courtesy of 3 AAA batteries and he even came with goggles.  Katie in her great originality named him Swim Puppy.  We ended up getting Swim Puppy from Target, which was a good thing because he was $6 cheaper than at Wal-Mart.  When we got home, Katie tried on some of her ballet attire.  Here she is, not wanting her picture taken.

We got her real ballet shoes, one skirt and two leotards.  She already has the tights, so she is all ready to dance.

Last night Katie attended her first ever Vacation Bible School session.  To join, the child needs to be at least 4 years old; however, since Katie goes to Sunday School at the church, they knew she was mature enough to do VBS.  Yes, they actually said that and meanwhile I was sure they had Katie confused with someone else.  However, to be fair to Katie, she does act so much better when she is not around me.  Anyway, VBS is every night through Thursday and then on Sunday she will sing in church.  Rick is excited because he will actually be home next week....so far he will be home.  That can change last minute and often does.

As for Rick's hotel suite stuffing extravaganza, they did pretty well.  A few people were not able to attend.  It turned into a regular party with his sister-in-law bringing veggies and dip and his mother getting a personalized cake.  We kept Skype open so that we were able to be there while still here.  When Rick got home, Katie was the recipient of several Disney gifts from Joe and Teresa including a Minnie cover up, Minnie cup, Minnie sunglasses and Minnie tote bag.  Thanks Joe and Teresa!  GaGa got her a hat that says, "Send Me To Grandma's Special Delivery".  Thanks GaGa!  Funny thing is that sometimes, like today, I do want to send her to Grandma's.  She is a little keyed up and that always means trouble. 

How Many People Can You Fit Into A Hotel Suite?

The answer to this post's title is "I don't know, but Rick is about to find out."  Rick is in Plymouth Meeting this week and this evening he has close to 30 family members coming to visit him.  (Rick is originally from the Philly area.)  Even his mom and dad will be there because they drove up from Florida to attend a wedding this weekend.  I can't imagine how Rick is going to fit 30 people in his room.  Granted it is a suite, but it's not that big.  It originally started out to be a few people and some how his mom managed to invite a few more extended family members and the thing took on a life of its own.  It now appears to be a mini-reunion.  Rick originally said he'd buy pizza for dinner for everyone.  Now the one pizza has morphed into seven pizzas and nine 2-liters of soda.  It'll be a really good time and I wish we were there.  However, Rick is going to set up Skype so Katie and I can talk to everyone.

I have a feeling that you all won't see a whole lot of pictures of Katie on dry land for a while.  This morning she was in the pool after I cleaned it.  Yesterday we purchased a star shaped inner tube float.  When I plopped it in the pool, she immediately got it around herself and proceeded to float around the pool without her feet touching the bottom.  She also practiced kicking and pretended to be asleep.  The $2 Wal-mart inner tube will definitely help her learn to swim and I just love it when a small investment gives her so much joy.  Another joy of the pool is that she takes her afternoon nap without much of a fuss.  I use the pool as the reward for taking a nap.  It has been working out great so far, but I fear it will lose it's charm as the summer goes on.

I will leave you with these parting shots which are Rick's pictures for the day.  Ciao.

Here she is pretending to be asleep

Here she is kicking her feet as she gently cruised around the pool.

Pools, Pools and More Pools

Katie and I had a great day.  First we drove out to Abilene State Park to meet a small group of MOPS friends.  I have not been to the park before and I was impressed with the place.  Unfortunately, the kiddie pool was closed for updates so we had to hang in the big pool.  When we first got there, the pool was relatively empty.  However a school bus pulled up and the pool was soon full.  Katie pretty much just stood or sat on the pool's steps with some friends who also do not swim.  Interestingly, she didn't want to hold on to me and float, which is something she always does with Rick.  However, Daddy is big and strong and apparently she does not trust me to keep her head above water.  After "swimming" we ate our lunch and then we climbed the stairs to the castle's look out.  The castle is a tower that is part of the concession stand building.  After the state park, we ran a few errands in Abilene.  (Yes, hon, I took the batteries to the recycle center.)  Of course Wal-Mart was on the list.  I needed a new watering can.  We spent a few hours in Wal-Mart and then ate dinner at Subway.  That's the wrap up of our great day.

Below are pictures for Rick.  The first few are from the park.  I didn't get any of Katie in the pool because I didn't want to get my camera near the water and 20 hyped up, splashing, cannon-balling kids..

Here is a view of the pool from the "castle."

Katie having a picnic lunch.

Katie, Maddie, Emma Claire, Zoey and the girls' mom in the "castle."

The next group of pictures were taken yesterday when Katie was in our pool.  The girl loves water and is usually in our pool for at least one hour before lunch and at least one hour after her nap.  I am going to check on the YMCA and their swim lessons.  When she was an itty bitty, she was a natural swimmer and had no fear of deep water, but as she ages she becomes more and more apprehensiveness about deep water and learning to swim.  Speaking of lessons, I got a message today that Abilene Ballet Theater is holding another Cinderella Ballet Class.  Thank goodness!  Their first class filled quickly and sold out.  Katie is going to be so psyched about going to ballet school.  Now back to the pictures....

All though the above photo is not framed well, I like this action shot of Katie jumping.

Another improperly framed jumping shot.

Oh so happy!.  Very happy!

Taking a break and literally chilling out.  I did not retrieve the solar pool cover from the Quonset Hut, so the water's  temperature has been around 85.  Couple the absent pool cover with Monday's night cold rain, and it looks like the pool will never make it to 90.

Speaking of weather, the storms that blew through here Monday night/early Tuesday morning knocked down one of our mesquite trees.  Of course we have thousands of mesquite trees on our land and the one that gets snapped is one that I actually wanted.  In addition, the downed tree now covers the path to the fairy garden, as well as the its entrance.  Thankfully, we did not have the trellis up yet or it would have suffered damage.

Well, that's it for now.  Once again this blog post was more for Rick than any other reader out there, but thanks for stopping by and we'll "chat" again tomorrow

Looking Forward To The Day

I rather fell down on the job today--I forgot to post a picture for Rick.  So I will try to redeem myself by posting these pictures so they are waiting for him when he wakes up tomorrow morning.

Here is Katie at the missile silo.  She has on her 4th of July dress that we just received.  I ordered it from a shop on Etsy and it is homemade pillowcase dress and it is darn cute. 

Quenching her thirst after her walk.

Here's a close up of the thirst quencher.

 Front sidewalk trellis

The above trellis is what Rick bought me for Mother's Day.  (You will have to click on the picture to enlarge it.  It hard to see in the posted small picture.)  In the side planters, I planted a grape vine and petunias in each.  The grape vine on the left is green grapes and the vine on the right is red grapes.  We won't have grapes this year and I am not even sure if we will the next, but I look forward to the day when I can go outside and grab a handful of grapes.  As for the trellis, I saw it at Sam's Club and really liked it.  We have been looking for a trellis with a gate for some time now.  (The gate is open in this picture.)  After this one was built and erected, Rick decided we needed a few more.  So, we will put one at the entrance of the Fairy Garden and one at the entrance to the path to the yet-to-be-build gazebo.  I think he bought a third and that would be the back up.  As for the Fairy Garden, it adjoins the south side of the front yard.  It is basically a clearing in a circle of trees that we are s-l-o-w-l-y turning into a sitting/thinking/meditating/chill outing garden.  Rick has been mowing it, but I am still working on the landscaping plans.  I  am looking forward to the day when I can go outside, pick some grapes and then sit a spell in the garden.

For those wondering, unfortunately we could not keep the two stray dogs that showed up at our house.  In a week's time they damaged so many items by chewing them to bits.  The mouthful that they took out of the new golf cart's seat was maddening, but when they began eating my solar sidewalk lights, it was too much.  To top it off they also started digging holes.  Anyway, we tried.

On that note, good night.

Rick left for Philadelphia today.  Kate and I have a ritual for when Rick leaves.  We go outside to kiss and hug him good bye and then Katie runs up the driveway trying to catch her daddy.  It is a rather pathetic sight as you can see from the pictures below.

Here's Katie running up the driveway and after the van as Rick leaves for the airport.

Rick stops at the gate to wave and Katie waves back.

Katie on her trek back home looking rather blue.  She didn't catch Daddy.

"I miss Daddy.  I want him to come back."

And this is what we do every time Rick leaves for the airport.

With Age

One of the advantages of getting older is that through experience you have learned what works for you.  Case in point is that today I had my eye appointment and I was able to pick out the frames that I wanted in five minutes.  Through experience I knew what frame shape I needed, what color I wanted and the add-ons that I needed.  When I first started wearing glasses many moons ago it took forever to choose a frame.  What I am trying to say is that after all of these years, I know myself better and I am well acquainted with my quirks.  Having a clearer picture of who I am--my strengths, my weaknesses, my likes, my dislikes--really makes life easier for indecisiveness is no longer a problem.  I have grounded opinions on most subjects and because of that I am more self-aware and centered.  Funny the thoughts and realizations that you have when going to the eye doctor's.

As for today's damage list, Peter Piper chewed up one of the solar sidewalk lights while Katie and I were in Abilene.  I was pretty mad and I vocalized while Katie was within ear shot that I could just kill those dogs.  Of course that made Katie cry.  Another reason to be angry is that our particular style of solar lights is no longer made so I will have to steal one of the lights around the gazing globe and move it to the sidewalk.  Earlier in the day I found my box of Miracle-Gro plant food in the front yard.  I believe Peter is the one that went into our swimming pool storage bench and stole it because the other day I saw him use his nose to flip up the lid on the bench.  Rick had just mentioned the other night that Peter Piper might chew the sidewalk lights and he was right.  He also was sure they would chew the seats on the new golf cart and he was right.  I should have asked him when I spoke with him this evening if he had any more psyhic visions of what they were going to destroy next.

As for motherhood, today was a tough day.  Katie acted up at the mall so she did not get to play in the childrens play area.  All the way from J.C. Penny's to Sears, I had to listen to her cry and beg--as did every shopper that we passed--for me to change my mind.  (For those non-Abilenians, that is from one end of the mall to the other.)  At one point she wrapped both of her arms around my legs to stop me from walking.  I just pulled away from her and I am sure I looked like one insensitive mom.  Oh well, with age also comes the ability to not give a darn what other people think of you.

Well, it's late and I'm tired.  Can't wait to see what bits and pieces that I find on the front lawn tomorrow--sarcasm, sarcasm.  Ciao.

Katie's Flower

This evening while I was watering my flowers Katie was able to play with her flower.  As you can tell from the pictures, she really enjoyed herself.

At one point Katie took a potty break and went into the house.  I was cleaning the bug light on the other side of the house when I heard her crying hysterically.  She had come back out of the house and I feared that Peter or Piper jumped on her, so I took off running.  The tragedy was that Peter had stolen Katie's shoe and was chewing on it.  Fortunately he didn't damage it at all.  However, one of them did take a small chunk out of my golf cart seat.  Needless to say, Rick is very angry.  (Wait, that doesn't accurately describe his reaction when I told him this evening via Skype.)  I think I just ruined his evening, tomorrow and week with that bit of information.  Like he says, 'No good deed goes unpunished."  You cannot leave anything outside and turn your back for one second with those two dogs.  I think both of them are chewers.  It is at night that they go sniffing around to find something to chew so I wake to bits and pieces in the front yard.  Rick and I will decide what to do with them this weekend. My mother-in-law saw the pictures of Peter Piper on this blog and she thinks that Peter has great dane in him with which I agree.  It would also explain why he acts like a puppy because he is one, just a huge puppy.

Tomorrow I have an eye appointment.  I got my last pair of new glasses seven years ago...oops.  Time sure has a way of flying.  I also will be getting contacts.  When I first moved to Texas, I had a lot of issues with my contacts.  I think it was just too dry here.  I hope to get a different brand/type of contacts so I can remedy that problem.

That's it for now.  Ciao.

Rick's Tuesday Picture

A new place to eat lunch.......

.......a purple toter.

Overnight Damage List:  one gardening glove and one plastic watering can.  They got Rick's snake that he was using to clear pipes for the missile site and dragged it into the front yard, and I didn't pick up their foods bowl quick enough after breakfast--I let a whole whopping ten minutes pass--and one of them chewed on his or hers.  My mantra has become, "They are not like Eric and Max."  However, for the sake of honesty no dog could measure up to either Eric or Max.

My house is a mess.  No excuses or rationalizations will follow.  It is plainly and simply a mess.

Rick's Monday Pictures

This morning didn't start off so well.  When I went outside to feed Peter Piper, I discovered Katie's flower sprinkler ripped to shreds, as well as the cardboard to which it was attached.  I bought it on clearance last year, so we hadn't used it yet, but apparently one of the dogs decided it was a chew toy.  I am pretty sure it was Piper.  She is definitely the smarter of the two.  (We have taken to calling Peter "Clop Hopper" since he is clumsy and continually knocks over the water  bowl.)  I was pretty upset, but it wasn't so much that Peter Piper destroyed the $2 toy, but that Peter Piper are not Eric and Max.  It still is too soon to have dogs around here.  They make me miss Eric as if he just was put down yesterday.  Anyhoodles, I call Rick who is at a client site in Plymouth Meeting and undoubtedly was in the middle of some complicated IDMS thing.  Upon reflection, I realize it was pretty selfish for me to call Rick because there is nothing he can do about it.  I guess I just needed to vent, but that too pretty selfish of me.  I got another flower sprinkler for Katie, but no great deal for summer toys this time of year.  It was $15.

To further mangle up the morning, when Katie and I went to the car all of the doors were locked with the keys inside.  Thankfully an extra key was in the house.  As we drove up the driveway, Peter Piper galloped behind us.  I had to stop, open the gate, drive through the gate, and then close the gate.  By that time, Peter Piper caught up with us and scooted underneath the fence and tried to follow us up the street.  I was half expecting them not to be here when we returned, but they were.  Not sure how I feel about that.

Katie and I went to May Farm this morning with my MOPS group.  I arrived early so I could collect money for Miss May--it was $3 per child.  Katie opted to attach herself to another MOPS mom and left me at the make shift money collection table.  It was stinking hot today, but Katie really enjoyed herself.  She and a MOPS friend managed to go on the hayride/trailer ride twice.  The first time, I was also on the trailer and Katie informed me--and all of the mommies within ear shot--that she didn't want me there and she asked that I get off of the trailer.  I am used to her wanting nothing to do with me when she gets around her friends..  For lunch we all had a picnic underneath the trees.  Katie ate a peanut butter sandwich which was a first.  After lunch, Miss May got Cloud, a 30-year old American Standard horse so the kids could take rides.  We had a little girl drama while Katie and two other girls were waiting in line.  The two other girls were holding hands and going to ride Cloud together.  Katie tried to hold one of their hands and hang out with them.  They didn't want anything to do with her and pretty much told her so.  One of the girls is one that Katie considers her best MOPS friend, so she was crushed.  She came to me twice in tears.  I just had to explain that sometimes her friends may want to be with other friends.  I was really tempted to remind her what she said to me on the trailer, but that would have been a bitter Betty thing to do.  Also, it was the first time that I ever saw Katie cry because her feelings were hurt and frankly, it made me want to cry.  But I just hugged her with the knowledge that it was the first time of many that her feelings will get hurt.  On a disappointing note, why are girls that way?  It is like they are born with the bitchiness gene.

I meant to take a lot of pictures at the farm, but because I was collecting money at the beginning, I missed getting photos of Katie feeding the animals, holding a bunny, a bunny rolling off of her lap and Katie holding a baby chick.  However, I did get oodles of her riding Cloud as evidenced below.

Before her ride, she looks happy despite the earlier tears.

 And we're off!

Miss May the owner of the farm led Cloud while all of the kids took their turn riding him.  She is an remarkable lady.

Both Katie and Miss May are enjoying themselves.

We headed home after the horseback riding and while driving home Katie informed me that next time she wanted to ride a pig.

The next picture is one that I promised Rick that I would post.  I know that most parents think that their child is brilliant or talented and I am no different.  But seriously, Katie is a very good artist.  She is 3 3/4 years old and can draw good pictures of people.  Most kids her age usually can't get the eyes in the right place, but Katie has it all down.

Katie told me that the girls' names, but I can only remember a few.  The one in the top row, middle is Creta.  We hear about Creta a lot.  She is a figment of Katie's imagination. The girl in the bottom row on the left is Lena, another "friend" of Katie's that has been around for about two months.  Yesterday, Katie told me that Lena has a boyfriend and they are going to get married.  After Katie drew this picture, she informed me that Lena is pregnant in this picture.  A shotgun wedding coming out of a 3 3/4 years old's mind!  However, to my relief Katie informed me that she is going to fly jets before she gets married.

Peter Piper just scratched the front door.  Six o'clock is their dinner time and it's a little past six.  I guess they were just trying to gently remind me to feed them.  Funny...they have been here three days and already know what time is dinner time.  Off I go to do doggy duty.  A little later I will water the flowers and do poop patrol--a chore I did not miss, but one that must be done.  Ciao!

The 80's Are Alive and Well.....according to Rick

While Rick was in Phoenix, he decided to upgrade his rental car and play the part of man going through a mid-life crisis.  He rented this....

At one point he got a good laugh. He was driving down the road with the 80's music blaring when he caught a glimpse of his face and his receding hairline in the rear view mirror. He sure looked the part of man trying to relive his youth.  He also commented that that was probably the last time he would ever drive a vette and he looked so sad when he said that.  I was tempted to reply to his woeful statement with, "Then you shouldn't  have sold yours." but I didn't.  I didn't want to rub it in.  However, we do have a 1982--he really loves the 80's--black Trans Am sitting in the Quonset hut that he had brought brand new.  I have dreams of driving that car when I hit my mid-life crisis.

As a side note, we paid for the upgrade, not his company.  I don't think his company would take to kindly to footing the bill for his day of reliving his youth.