My Lady Cadee

I'd like to introduce you to someone special. She was an unexpected blessing to our family.

I never could have dreamed anything better.

Welcome, Lady Cadence Yancey...aka "Cadee."

Cadee was my Mother's Day gift from my family. Our registered Golden Retriever, which has always been my dream dog, was born March 31, 2007. Her demeanor is amazing! Not too hyper, pretty laid back in fact, and the best part...HOUSEBROKEN!!!!

The normal price of Retriever's, especially champion bloodline, is usually pretty high, but fortunately for us, the Daddy Dog was spreading the love around so much, that the owner had 33 puppies (from 3 different Mamas) and just wanted to find good homes for a reasonable price.

In the month or so since she has been a part of our family, she has picked up quickly on some great tricks. She sits on command, lies down, shakes and plays fetch. I have never experienced anything like it.

She really is the perfect dog for our family, especially with Joshua. He can play rough, and when Cadee has had enough, she just plops her paw over him, where he can't move. It's GREAT.

Since all of the craziness with my job and other things, Cadee really has been a blessing for me. I have never attached to an animal like I have with Cadee. She has really become "Woman's Best Friend."

Welcome, my Lady Cadee....

Vacation Bible School

It is that time of year again!

It is VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL.

Actually, this is the 2nd time for Tyler this year. The first time was through his dayschool for the summer, but this time it is at our church, and I am actually helping with it.

I have to say, I am a little nervous. I would rather be in a room full of adults than a room filled with children. Those little people intimidate me.

Now, I know what you are thinking..."but you're a mom."

That's true and all, but helping children, in large groups, have always made me uncomfortable. I think it is because as an educator of some sort, you truly can lead children in the wrong direction, if not careful. The thought of that scares me to pieces.

But this year, I am stepping way out of my comfort zone and taking a giant leap.

So when you read my blog this time. Say a little prayer for the children (as well as all their teachers) this week at VBS.

Too Much Time, With a Party to Plan

Ok, I have too much time on my hands right now.

For those of you who I haven't told personally, the job I took, didn't pan out the way I thought it would, so now I am at home. It is not necessarily a bad thing. I truly believe things happen the way they are supposed to.

I have begun getting my house back in some sort of order, as well as planning a party for Tyler's 7th birthday, which is in a couple of weeks. It is going to be a Spongebob Squarepants theme. Though I am not a fan, I understand Tyler's reasoning for wanting this theme, so I am going to do what I can to make it work.

We have already sent out the invitations for the party and I and have gotten some of the supplies for it as well. Planning an event for fifteen 7 year olds, is very exciting, not to mention a little nerve wracking. I have to be very careful to make the party exciting enough to keep their attention, but not too baby"ish" or too old.

Here is some of the food ideas I have come up with (with a little help from Coolestkidpartyideas) :

Squidward Hotdogs - cut the hot dogs almost in half and then keep cutting into additional sections allowing the "legs" to curl up when boiled, looking like an octopus

Sandy Cheeks shells - Thanks to Velveeta mac and cheese

Plankton Pizza - Mini-bagel bites

Spongebob Fruit Salad - Hollow out a pineapple and cutting up a variety of melons and grapes and refilling back up.

and my favorite...

Ocean Sea Punch - Blue punch with gummy fish and sharks swimming in it...

Do any of you out there have any other ideas that I can borrow?

2nd Child Syndrome

For all you families that have two or more children, I have to ask, does this happen everywhere or am I just a slacker?

When Tyler, my almost 7 year old, was born, we had his picture taken at the photography studio ALL the time. 1week, 1 month, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year and 18 months. We have more photos of Tyler than we know what to do with.

Joshua, on the other hand, was not so....photographed. We had his formal picture taken at one week and then, well, I hate to admit this, but again at 18 months. I don't know why. There is no excuse really. I even paid a fee at his 1 week pictures, to be a part of the "Smile Club," giving me all sorts of discounts for photos during the next 2 years, to which, I've never used. Though I will say, we have a million snapshots that are fantastic of Joshy that we have taken. Most of which are framed.

Well, fortunately for me, his daycare has his picture taken last month and I am going to post it for the world to see. So to Joshy, I am sorry for not having more pictures taken of you (but then again, they do a GREAT job at school.)