Journey Within

Have you ever gone inside your eyes? Brooklyn has. She came in the other morning and said that she went in her eyes 5 times and that I didn't come with her. She and one of her friends was there in a car. Then her friend went in a building and she was lost. Brooklyn went in after her in the building and then to a house. She was quite upset that I didn't go with her in her eyes and that I didn't help her. I definitely think we have hit dreaming and remembering them after phase. I can't believe how much she is learning and growing. The time is passing so quickly.

Brooklyn is a very sensitive little girl. Our neighbor was crying the other night when we left and the next morning one of the first things Brooklyn wanted to do was make sure that McKenna was happy now. She loves to wear a pretty dress and dance all around and gets a sweet almost shy expression on her face as she does it. She loves to dance with Sadie and go on "dates." Brooklyn loves to create things and use her hands. She loves to color, paint, and play with playdough. She especially loves to help me cook. She's an excellent helper when it's time to make raspberry jam, she's the best berry squisher I know!

Memorial Weekend Camping

With Memorial weekend this last week I was itching to go camping. I've just been in the mood to go somewhere and do something different. However I cannot imagine taking the girls and myself camping without another adult to help supervise my busy girls. So I decided to do some camping our own backyard. I went and bought a firebowl since you can't camp and not have roasted hot dogs, marshmallows, and make s'mores, not to mention smelling like smoke. We invited some friends over and we enjoyed our new firebowl while the kids all ran around the backyard with Tiger Lily in and out of the tent. It was a lot of fun.

Brooklyn and Sadie were all excited to sleep in the tent Tiger Lily was all excited too. We got the sleeping bags all set up, the air mattress blown up, blankies, pillows, and of course flashlights. We settled into our sleeping bags and told stories. Brooklyn and Sadie finally stopped talking around midnight and settled into sleep. I however could not sleep since I knew Sadie wouldn't stay covered up and would be cold. Then with Tiger in the tent every time she moved I thought of all the raccoons and possums lurking in my backyard. Needless to say I didn't sleep Tiger must have known. I had to laugh when I lifted up my head to see where she was, she made eye contact and attempted to climb over Eric (who was sleeping) to get over to me waking him up. Who wouldn't when a 60+ pound dogs steps on you while you're sleeping.

Finally at around 2:30am both girls woke up simultaneously cold and when offered to go into the house to sleep they immediately took me up on my offer. I think Tiger was disappointed to go back into her crate after her exciting evening in the tent but she didn't cry. Definitely one of the benefits of backyard camping is being able to go back into your house to sleep in your bed. We had a lot of fun, smelled like smoke, ate good camping food, and didn't sleep well. I think overall it was a successful camping trip!

Boiled egg anyone?

Since our last visit to Utah Brooklyn, Sadie, and I did dinner with Grandpa Mike and Grandma Jane. While at dinner Grandma Jane had a boiled egg, Brooklyn wanted to try some and Grandma shared. Brooklyn discovered that she likes boiled eggs. In fact she likes them so much that since we've been home she has requested almost everyday to have some for breakfast. While the eggs are cooking she'll eat a bowl of Reese's Puffs or Froot Loops. She'll eat not one, not two, but three boiled eggs. She doesn't like the yolks which is fine with me since that is where all the cholesterol is but she'll eat them all up and then ask for more. I've wondered how many she'll eat since I've stopped her at three. Sadie however does not like boiled eggs, but continues to chug the chocolate milk and eat the yogurt bites out of the Yogurt All-Bran. Breakfast of champions all around that's for sure.

Dog Tails

This evening as dinner was cooking on the stove, Eric and I were looking out the back sliding door and saw a deer in the bushes in our neighbors yard. Tiger Lily was outside and I wondered if she had seen it. As the deer wandered closer behind our yard I watched as Tiger held still and watched it for a minute then she tucked her tail, pulled back her ears, and ran up into the house. Once safely in the house she turned around a gave a little "woof!" Talk about chicken. I wish I could have that moment caught on film of my dog who is as big as the deer ducked and headed for cover.

Now that were back from our trip to Grandma's and to bid Richard a fond farewell as he departed for his mission, we are trying to keep Tiger from being one of the kids. Brooklyn and Sadie were climbing all over the couch and next thing I knew Tiger had one of her toys and stepped up onto the couch. She has never been invited onto the couch but just thinks she's one of the girls. I love her personality, she's so sweet and playful. She's a great dog.

While in Utah we went to the bird refuge in west Farmington. The cattails were just about perfect for whacking and exploding seeds all over everywhere. I was picking some for Brooklyn and we were scattering seeds all over ourselves when my brother Chris grabbed another weed that was about 6 feet tall and was poofy on the end. Brooklyn then said that she wanted a "dog tail" like Chris. I picked her one and she then used it to tickle Grandma and Grandpa and anyone else who was in reach. We had a blast! It made perfect sense it did look like Tiger Lily's tail so why not have dogtails and cattails!

Tiger's Bath Time

Today was the day I decided it was time to give Tiger a bath. She absolutely loves the water. If the bathroom door is left open she'll go in there and climb in the tub looking for some water to lap up. Brooklyn and Sadie were playing a computer game while I bathed Tiger. As I'm dumping buckets of water over Tiger, she just calmly sits there drinking the water as it falls into the tub. Then she sits and laps up more water. Then as I'm trying to shampoo her she just lies down on her stomach and lounges in the tub while I'm trying to wash her all over. I don't know what is harder, trying to wash a wiggly dog or one that just sits there and doesn't move. I think I got at least half of her thoroughly shampooed and hoped the residual soapy water did the rest.

Do you have any idea how long it takes for a golden retriever to dry? I had the blow dryer out and it was taking forever. She's mostly dry now but still a little damp in some places. At least she smells better, feels softer, and has the beautiful puffed up puppy look. She is definitely a water dog.

Mid-bath Sadie comes in and unbeknownst to me took off with the kids toothpaste. I came out to find toothpaste smeared all over the computer desk, mouse, and the girls. Then after Eric came up for lunch he sat in the computer chair and had a nice pattern of the mesh chair on his back in pink toothpaste. I hope I've got it all cleaned up now. If only I can keep Tiger and the girls busy on this rainy day! Any suggestions how to keep a large dog busy?