Go Shorty...it's your birthday...we're going to party like it's your birthday...

Cassie had a great time at her party. I'm looking forward to getting Aunt Mikki's pictures as she has all the outside pics. Check her blog Tuesday for some of those.

We had a great time and were so grateful to the friends and family who came from near and far to celebrate with us. Cass has what appears to be a double ear infection--we'll be at the ped tomorrow morning. Despite that--she was in remarkably good spirits and seemed to have a blast!

Woody is unusually sensitive to touch and completely freaked out by the balloons all over the house. We may be popping into the vet tomorrow as well. Hopefully this isn't anything serious--after the Spike debacle, we're hoping Woody lives forever...

Cassie's party is tomorrow and we're still praying for beautiful weather--hopefully the rain comes overnight and is gone by morning! The bday girl has a wicked cold and I suspect the beginning of an ear infection...we'll see how tonight goes. A trip to the ped may be in order in the morning.

We had a late playdate at the pool today. It was a playdate for all of us, b/c Chase got to play w/Lucas (he's five). Cassie got to play w/Courtney (she's three). And I got to talk to Angie (their mom). It was margarita night at the pool. I wasn't going to go b/c Cass isn't feeling well and I wanted her to go to bed early (plus, I don't like margaritas b/c I hate tequila), but when Angie called from the pool and told me that some of our neighbors (from the Stepford contingent) were decked out in sundresses for free margaritas at the pool (or as she put it, "Geez, that's what I'd wear if I were paying for drinks somewhere...")--I couldn't miss the opportunity to snark with her. So I popped on my swimsuit (no sundresses for me, I've got a toddler to chase) and headed up to make fun with her. Good times.

My house is quiet. I guess that means it is safe to hit the Girl Scout cookie stash in the deep freeze before heading to bed...

Yesterday Grandpa Bill came over for dinner and we celebrated Cassie's bday w/pizza and cake. She liked the cake, but I think she likes ice cream more--she's definitely mama's girl.

I took the pic of the bday girl and her daddy last night--and the resemblance is down right scary...I've always said Chase has my smile. He does. Cassie has her daddy's smile.

Today we ran errands and hit the pool. I've almost finished cleaning the house for Saturday, now we're just praying for nice weather...

Happy First Birthday Princess!

What a year its been! Cassie took her first steps on Thursday (6/19/08) and is getting braver and braver every day. Grandpa Bill is coming over for pizza and cupcakes this evening, we're going to spend some time at the pool between naps!

Rescue dog hell

That would be discovering that the golden retriever you adopted for your son would be better off in a family without small children or other pets b/c he guards toys. And a dog guarding balls and stuffed animals + a toddler = recipe for disaster. I knew what my vet would say (b/c I've been here before w/Baxter), but I called him anyway. And he went on to say exactly what I knew he'd say and added that a golden retriever bite is no better than a pit bull mix bite, particularly when the retriever outweighs the pit by 20 lbs.

So, I'm down to a weight I haven't seen in quite some time from the sheer stress of it all (one more pound and I'll be in double digits), and Chase is heartbroken. But I know I'm doing the right thing for Spike and my family. And Spike will find his forever family--that just can't be us.

Meet Spike...the newest Tennyson family member

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10934102

This is Spike Albert Tennyson. Chase named him Spike after Grandpa Bill's dog Spike and Albert for #5 (that would be Albert Pujols if you live under a rock). He's Chase's new BFF and our new dog. We went to look at Isabelle and when we got there, she was w/her new family. I said in a previous post that things work out for a reason. Chase wanted a dog that will play with him and Spike will retrieve tennis balls for hours. The rescue group fast tracked the adoption b/c Chase and Spike playing together made such an impression on them.

He needs some obedience work, but Chase said five minutes into the meeting that "Mom, I think he is a good fit for our family!" Despite a rocky start w/Spike's tummy (I'll spare you the details of mountains of vomit and diarrhea), it appears that Chase once again showed wisdom beyond his years.

I've got a secret...

And after 3pm today--I'll share.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's a rainy, cold and yucky day today. Woody had his monthly vet appt. this morning and the vet (very nicely) told me that his kidneys and heart are not functioning like they used to. His weight loss has stabilized though--he's been holding steady at 25lbs for the last few months now. That's good.

Cassie's current favorite thing to do is climb the stairs. Right now she's playing in Chase's room with Chase. I remember being worried about how he'd deal w/a sibling, but he is just the best big brother! He adores her.

Laptop battery is dying and the cookies I made for Jamie (he's been out of town all week)are finished. I'll update more later.

This is how/where we spend most of our time...

Yes, Jamie finally downloaded the pics off my phone and onto the pc. YAY! Chase is as much of a fish as ever and Cassie loves the water as much as he does. She's quite fearless, as well, and has swallowed quite a bit of water as a result. Nevertheless, she loves the pool as much as her big brother does.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11056130
Cute, huh? We may go check her out this weekend. Woody is really slowing down and I think it would be easier for all of us when the inevitable happens if we've got a second dog. Plus, you never know, a canine buddy might perk him up a bit. And it would be nice to have a dog that plays w/Chase...we'll see. I firmly believe if it is meant to work out, it will.

We're going to hit the grocery store, pick up Dylan, and head to the pool for the afternoon...I hear Cassie stirring, time to make that grocery list!

School's Out...School's Out...Teachers let the monkeys out!

When I was a kid, one of my mom's best friends (who happened to also be the mom of my BFF at the time) used to drive around the neighborhood on the last day of school w/the windows down yelling that little ditty at the top of her lungs, w/the bunch of us kids chorusing along in the back seat and her older daughter hiding on the floor in the front seat. Ah...memories. I introduced Chase and his BFF Dylan to that refrain on Monday and heard it for about 24 hours straight. Not from Dylan--he's easily embarrassed. But my own child is a loudmouth just like his momma and greatly enjoyed shrieking it out the windows of my mom-mobile. No one hid on the floor this time though--seat belt laws and safety and all that.

Today is the first day we haven't spent a ton of time at the pool. Cass's head got a bit red yesterday. Jamie is going to head up w/Chase when he gets home from work, I may take Cass up there, but more than likely I'll pop her in the stroller and take a walk around the neighborhood. I haven't been able to work out like normal w/Chase home. Although I think all the house cleaning counts...

I have a ton of pics, but they're all on my cell phone. Someday, I will learn how to transfer them to my desktop. Until then, no pics for you!

Cassie had a cold, which she very graciously shared with me. I can take Zyrtec and dry my nose up though--she can't. So I had a bunch of tissues at the pool yesterday for her. I finally got her into the baby float and pulled her around--she LOVED it! And Chase got his first substantial sunburn--he sunscreened himself and didn't get his back. It wasn't too bad, just a bit pink and itchy, but I feel so bad. Hopefully it's faded a bit today or he'll be hanging out under the umbrella. We'll be back at the pool today b/c Jamie is finishing up powerwashing the deck and fence and patio and I want to keep the kids (particularly Chase) out of his hair. If he gets the wagon cleaned up, perhaps I can pull the kids and all their gear to the pool in that. I'd like to walk, but it's virtually impossible w/an over 20lbs not-walking-yet infant and all the pool gear. Heck, it's difficult just transporting all that between the car and entrance! Maybe the wagon is the answer...

I'm off to eat breakfast (Chase made it for me--soggy Fiber One honey clusters) and get ready for church.