don't yell at my dogs

So, I walk my dogs, 2 out of 3, almost every morning. I'm the first to admit they're obnoxious. It's like walking a marionette, with one string pulling this way, one pulling that, and getting tangled in the process. Fletcher has been to doggie school, though you wouldn't know it by the looks of him on a leash and Olivia is just a hopping barking mess. Anyway, we walk past this old man at the tennis court, and Fletcher of course sticks his nose in this man's tennis bag as we walk past. I pull him out, all the while Livvy is barking and hopping toward the man on her tight leash. He lunges toward her yelling "Get out of here!! Get out of here!!" I turn around and scream "DON'T YELL AT MY DOG!" Great way to start the morning, don't ya think? Wish I would have followed up with "lighten up, life's too short" to maybe put into perspective what an asshole he was being.

Anyway, moving on. I have to mention how proud I was of Casey last week. She handled herself in a way I never could when it comes to friends. We were at a friends house for "happy hour" (aka moms drink on the porch while the kids play in the yard). She and her friend Anna were coloring. When Casey stepped inside for a moment, Anna proceeded to scribble all over one of the pages already colored. I sat there not knowing what to say and wondering how Casey would react. Casey returned, saw the scribble and her bottom lip poked out, her brow furrowed and she looked at me like she was going to cry. She then said to Anna "You ruined it". Then she proceeded to go "Let's find a different page". Way to move on Casey!

Then, here's the good part. Anna began to color and Casey proceeded to scribble on Anna's page to tease her as she had been teased. Anna promptly said "You're not my friend anymore" to which Casey replied "Look around Anna, do you see anyone else to play with? There's no one else here, you have to be my friend."

I just hope this confidence carries her though High School and all the crap that will be thrown at her then. Off to a good start.

Dylan lost another tooth this morning. Poor guy has more holes than teeth at this point. We call him gummy bear, four teeth across the top in a row gone, and now one on the bottom.

Summer is great so far, going by way too quickly, but I am enjoying every moment with my kids. Off to NC next week to see the in-laws and a quick trip to the beach.

catching up

It seems so incredibly long since I've posted a blog, or blogged, or whatever you call it. Life is moving fast and I'm holding on tight. Although there's nothing earth shattering to report, I'm disappointed that I haven't kept up in the interest of keeping track of things I'd like to remember. Like my girls weekend with my ever sweet baby girl and some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth that cracks me up. Like "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest at the mall?"

We dropped Dylan off at his first attempt at sleep away camp. It brought back so many memories of my days at "Rainbow Trail". I think this is ever important for him. To be outdoors, non-stop, with no parents, no tv, no video games. He's in a cabin with 8 other boys (Lord help the counselors) including his cousin. He was grinning from ear to ear as we left him yesterday. On the way home, Casey had a ball declaring all that we were going to do since she was the only child. "Dad, when we get home, we're playing house. Do you want to be the dog, or the kitty?" She gets a real kick out of being the only kid. Life was so much less stressful last night, just the three of us. It's a nice break. It would have been the same if Casey had gone away, just one less child really slows the pace.

I haven't run in close to 6 weeks. I have a stress fracture in my foot (or so I've self-diagnosed). It appears to be getting better, but every time I think it's better, it comes back. Needless to say, I have never wanted to run so badly in my life! I'm soft, very soft and a few pounds heavier. Oh well, could be worse I suppose.

I have decided that I am sick of the suburbs. I don't know that moving is an option, but I just don't feel myself sometimes. I took the kids to the zoo last week and my heart skips a beat as I drive through those neighborhoods closer to town. We drove by our old house. The one Corey and I lived in until Dylan was six months, and also the one I grew up in. The tree lined sidewalks, the older houses with character, the little flower shop within walking distance. *sigh* I just miss it so and sometimes think there's more people like me there. I do have some wonderful friends and neighbors here and the kids are happy, so it's doubtful anything will come of it. Bloom where you are planted. At least that's what I keep trying to tell myself.