Saturday, September 19, 2015

Poor Ollie

 Poor Ollie. First he spent the first 9 months of his life in Mississippi with who knows who (someone who chopped his tail off!), then he had to ride in a wagon full of dogs up to Michigan, then he sat in another strange shelter. Just when things started to look up for him (a loving family, a nice house, plenty of walks and toys), tragedy struck. 

After we got Ollie, we got a membership to our local dog park. We went a handful of times, and Ollie LOVED it. His favorite game was to run as fast as he could and make the other dogs chase him. Last weekend, we went to an event at night that required a babysitter. Chris and I thought we would take Ollie to the dog park to run off some energy before we left him with a teenage sitter. He had fun at the park playing for about half an hour. Just when he was slowing down, he decided to start running again. A German Shepard, that he had been intermittently playing with, started to play with him again. Unfortunately his version of playing was to T-Bone Ollie, and take a chunk out of his side. Ollie yelped and laid down immediately. 

At first, we didn't think the damage was too severe. I thought it would heal on it's own, and Chris thought it might need a stitch or two. After we got home, and I looked closer, it was clear that the damage was more severe. We took Ollie to an emergency vet. Poor boy required seven stitches, a drain, 3 different medications, and a cone of shame. 

I picked him up close to midnight that night (they wouldn't let us stay with him). He came out of the doggy waiting room, sobbing. He curled up on my lap and just cried. I've never seen a dog cry like that. He came home and was so sad and pathetic. We let him sleep in our room instead of his crate. He's been there ever since at night (and doing a great job with it!).  He left a trail of blood spots all over our house, but, of course, we didn't even care. 

We contacted the dog park and had to file a police report. They contacted the suspect, and the owner denied it was his dog. The officer left me a message that he had contacted other people at the park, but hasn't heard back. I'm so sad thinking of that dog being allowed back at the park. Our vet says the bite is pretty minor, all in all, and she thinks it was likely an accident. However, the vets we've spoken with, and our new dog trainer all discourage dog parks due to how common it is that dogs get hurt. So, it looks like we aren't going back. It makes me sad because Ollie LOVED it, but I would so much rather him be healthy and happy and never risk that happening again. 

Apple Orchard

 Last weekend, the only orchard by us that has Honey Crisps opened for picking. We had to go. Daddy was busy preparing for a trial, so he couldn't come. We were disappointed, but there was no way we were missing fresh off the tree Honey Crisps (they usually only last a week before they are picked out). So we went with just girls. 
 Leah tried convincing me that long sleeved tees/dresses were overkill, and she would be better dressed in a tank dress and shorts. She wouldn't think of wearing a jacket. She was freezing the entire time. Lesson learned. Listen to your Mama. 
 Love their totally fake "cheese" faces. I loved this road, and immediately imagined "artsy" shots. Nailed it. 
 They were selling on-site made kettle corn. It was really good. The girls took my money and went over to buy it themselves. When did they get old enough to do this? I gave Leah money, and she naturally selected the largest bag that the money would buy. The cashier made her confirm with me that it was okay. It was. However, it was much better freshly popped than bagged. 


 Sunflowers are my favorite late summer/fall flower. I made them pose by these last year, too. They are looking so big. After we took a picture, we ate donuts, played in the bouncy house and left. In the car, we all were suddenly starving, so a trip to Panera Bread was in order. The closest one to us was in Brighton, where Chris and I first lived when we were married. I remember when the Panera opened. We had no money, Chris was in school, and I had a hour plus commute to school each day, so going out was pretty rare. I remember that I got a free $5 coupon in the mail, and it was so exciting. Returning there with 2 kids, and in a totally different place in life was pretty surreal. 

Prettiest Rainbow Ever

 This rainbow just kept going. It was so bright and vivid! 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Juliet's First Day


 Juliet had her Open House last week. She was so excited. She wanted to wear an apple shirt for school. Daddy took her and she had so much fun meeting her new teachers, playing with Anna, and reporting back about which kids don't share and seem like trouble. 
 Today was her first "real day". I remember taking Leah to her first day of 3 year old preschool. Juliet was almost 4 months old. I remember being overwhelmed with taking Leah and her gear and the little car seat carrier into the Farm. I can't believe that little baby is now in school, too. 
 Juliet was so excited. Ever since Leah has started she has been begging to go to school, too. She also wants to take a bus and stay there all day. Yikes. Not yet, cutie. 
 We were a little late, but she happily walked in, found her hook, her friend, and play-doh. She couldn't care less whether we stayed or not. She gave me a hug and a kiss and was ready to go. Yesterday she told me she hoped to learn to read, and today she told me that she did learn to read. 
 Juliet is so full of joy. She is so happy and I know she will love school just as much as her sister did. I know that she will love it. 
I can't wait to hear all about her adventures. Today's biggest event was that she drank white cow milk and had apples for a snack. She also enjoyed the playground which you can NEVER run on. She was thrilled that Anna Nana picked her up from school and made her favorite mac and cheese. She didn't want to leave Auntie Robin's house this afternoon. She wants to go back to school tomorrow (sorry, kid, only 2 times a week).
 Little girl. Big school. 

Leah's First Day of K

 Leah had her first day of All Day Kindergarten. She was so ready and excited. I was a mess. Every year I think of her first days home from the hospital. Hearing the buses as I nursed her in the early morning hours. Feeling so blessed to be cuddling my healthy baby girl. Thinking that school and Kindergarten seemed so far off. I remember calling preschools when she was 2.5 and crying on the phone while I was asking questions. Now, she's off. She's on the "real school", "all day school" train. I know how fast it's going to go. And I'm sad for myself and happy for her. 
 Leah was so excited to go to school. The first day I drove her to school, but wanted her to take the bus home. She was a little nervous about the bus. However, we heard the bus as we were taking these pictures and she said, "maybe I'll just take the bus in to school this morning." 
 I can't believe how big she looks here. I waited with her at her school. She seemed a little nervous and timid, but also kept asking, "Can we go in now?"
 She got off the bus in the afternoon and was so excited to tell Daddy all about her day. Juliet and I met them at home and we went out to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. That might have to be a tradition that we do every first day of school. She was so excited and talked all about her day, her teachers, and some new friends. She is very excited to be able to order a lunch from the school cafeteria. She really wants to order pancakes. 
 Leah Bean, you are so big and so ready for this. We are so proud of you. We love you so much!
 She wanted to pose with Ollie, too. Juliet didn't. :) 
We try to do chalk art to celebrate the first days of school. She wanted to do it all, and even told me to make every single letter a bubble letter, but lost interest when she saw that I was doing random doodles with Juliet. She did the 1 and the DAY. 

We love you so much, Lili!

Poor Displaced Brain Brain

 Brain is a little unsure about Ollie. Sometimes he growls at him, sometimes he runs away from him, sometimes he struts by him like he owns the place, and sometimes he ignores him. Leah wants to make sure her boy Brain still gets plenty of love. Even though Juliet isn't the biggest fan of animals, she wanted in the picture, too. 

Last Days of Summer

 During the last days of summer, we....

Watched the Blue Angels (I have to say it was much cooler to see them in Chicago)
 Played outside
Shook our booties 
Drank some cocktails and juice boxes outside 
 Played a lot with the hose
Were silly
Got wet
Gave hugs
 Gave Ollie plenty of "baths"