#1 Fan

Friday would have been my mom's 76th birthday.  It's been almost 3 years since she passed away and I'm not sure a day goes by that I don't think of her.  In fact, I think of her every time I create a post on this blog.  It was started as a way for our family to be able to keep up with Amelia's (and subsequently Everett's) life.  Through the years, numerous friends and family members have positively commented about various posts.  However, nobody loved it more than my mom.  She would talk to me about it every day.  Any time I'd skip a night, she'd let me hear about it.  Any time I posted a video of the kids, she'd watch it over and over.  I would go as far to say if it wasn't for her, I'd have stopped about 2,500 posts ago.  As I've looked back on it over the years, I'm so glad I've kept it up (with some sporadic times)...because now it's one of the only ways I can go back to see memories of her....

Assistant

Working from home is so much easier with the help of my trusted assistant.  I don't know what I'd do without her....you know, other than see my screen, not have to delete what she types, and actually accomplish something....

Game Time

I got to take Everett to his first NFL football game today.  He thought it was awesome....for about a half.  Then, the sun started to melt us and our team lost. But, hey, it was great while it lasted...

Grapes

Did you know that grapes and raisins are on the list of things that are toxic to dogs?  Meggan knew.  The kids were told. I vaguely recalled hearing it once.  You know who didn't know?  Olive. She had no idea. She found out the hard way...and I found out directions to a new emergency vet...

Luckily, after getting her stomach emptied like an alcohol poisoned fraternity pledge, all is well and we're home for some rest. 

And It Begins

Today was our first day of homework for this school year.  As expected, it led to a few discussions on how hard school is, how unfair it is to have so little TV time, and how boring math is.  Tomorrow, we will layer in soccer practices.  In a few weeks, Amelia will try out for the school play.  Sprinkle in some cello here, some piano there, a few birthday parties and we will be at full Fall swing. 

Sophie Revisited

As Olive ages, she tends to pick up more and more habits that remind us of our beloved Sophie.  At this point, I'm 50/50 as to whether or not she is Sophie reincarnated. Hey, I saw A Dog's Purpose.

She's even picked up a smoking habit...

C-E-L-L-O

As part of the curriculum at school, Amelia had to choose an instrument to play going forward.  While almost all of her friends went with the violin, she chose the cello.  I didn't even know she knew what a cello was. Sure, she could have picked something cheaper or easier to carry around, but I respect her style and individuality.  Besides, she looks so beautiful playing it....