Miss Mary

As I sit here and type Mary is pulling many random books off the bookshelf. She does seem to like the "Men of Mathematics" yes, it belongs to Paul and trust me...is not as exciting as it may sound. She is saying "doggie" to everything, and when asked what the doggie says, she replies, "woo-woo" very cute! She says lots of words now. Her newest one is "eh-oh" (for hello) and gocks (they go on your feet). I have determined that I cannot keep up with her and the house during the same day. I found her the other day on top of the dining room table dumping the salt out of the shaker. Paul asked where I was....I was RIGHT THERE!!! Honest!! She's quick and LOVES to get into everything. I have to close any and all doors once she is awake in the morning. If any of us has happened to leave something out for her....she'll get it! (you'd think that would be incentive to pick our stuff up....nope)

She is adorable and talks more than anyone I know (including me!) We just don't get what all she's saying.....very definintive though. She is somewhat ticklish and I take advantage every chance I get....baby giggles are God's gift to parents!!! They are the best!! She is a very inquisitive and bright child....She makes me appreciate the little things in life, including fuzzies on the carpet which she diligently picks up for me!!! She also has the yummiest cheeks around....Thanks to Daddy for that one....(Houghton is a close second....he's just too old now for too many kisses!!)

Valentine's Day

How did this ever get to be such a big commercial deal? I admit I am a sucker for it....at least I used to be. Now that it's during the week I am to busy worrying about getting the kids stuff ready. For the day as well as the "valentine party" at school. Since I am home now, I am able to help out....last year I couldn't even get the time off! I do like it...and it keeps me from wishing for something special from my valentine.

I am proud to say however that I have trained Paul well (after 13 years!) he has faced the wrath of a lover scorned too many times in the past I suppose to even pretend not to notice that the holiday was coming. He planned a surprise dinner out...even got a babysitter! I really was not expecting anything....REALLY!!! So it was nice....we even got a little thunderstorm!! I got to get dressed up and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner! Then afterwards we went to DQ! I was craving soft serve and the desserts at the restaurant were a little pretentious for me.

Swim

Well, we made it back from Prescott. Houghton had his first travel swim meet. He and I spent the weekend together. We had a great time! Houghton got to spend time with his "swim buddies". He even did pretty well considering he is grounded from TV...that's a whole other post!! Houghton swam in 6 events. He did 2-50 yard events and 4- 25 yard events....he even placed 8th and got a ribbon (they place 1 thru 8) on the 25 yard butterfly...which is so great because the last time he swam it he didn't have a "legal" butterfly (meaning he didn't quite have it right) He even knocked several seconds off of his other events. He is getting high praise from the coaches since he's made such an improvement in only 6 months. Houghton is also excited since they are doing orders for the personalized swim caps (like in the olympics) with his name on them. I am making him pay for them himself....1) He's loaded,thanks to grandma and 2) it's not a necessity since he has a regular cap. I also of course forgot the camera so I have no pics. Oh well, sorry....maybe next time!

Sad News...

This past weekend Houghton and I got to spend some quality time together! We went to a birthday party and grocery shopping for our Super Bowl party. While loading groceries into the car (the store is actually in walking distance to the house) we heard a poor dog getting hit. The car took off and several people from the parking lot went to help. We loaded up very fast and drove over to the dog. He was on the side of the road with another neighbor. He (the dog) did not have a tag but looked cared for. We called the EAMT and waited with the dog. Houghton was great and very caring. We got the info to check on the dog but it didn't look good (he couldn't walk) after calling....we were told he was euthanised. I figured that's what would've happened but it really hurt! I wish we could find out who hit the dog and string them up....How could you hit ANYTHING and NOT stop!!!???? I did tell Houghton (after much debate) what happened. He cried. I did explain to him that we helped the dog and comforted him and they did all they could do to help him. He understood, I think as much as a 6 year old can. He was sad but glad we helped. Then this morning after running an errand I discovered "lost dog" signs by the house....it was him!! I had to do the sad duty of telling this poor woman what happened to her dog. I am glad that I did have the info for her to call the Humane Society so she could have some closure.....Sometimes doing the right thing is very, very sad.