A Dog Blog

We would like to announce the adoption of our new puppy, Ralphie, the one-eyed bulldog. He shot his eye out with his Red Rider BB gun. Not really- he lost it in a fight with a pit bull...so sad!

She has arrived!

After much waiting, longing, sighing, saving, and Ebay bidding, Charis' Kirsten doll arrived today. Such a dream come true!

April Showers

Well, it's supposed to be 95 degrees today...in April. This does not bode well for my summertime comfort, but we did get to run in the sprinklers for the first time this season. Simon experienced his first sprinkler run and loved it! (End note: Tate's age-5, Tate's bathing suit size- 2T)

The Party of Many Themes

Charis has three big loves- Barbie, Littlest Pet Shop and American Girl. What's a multi-interested birthday girl to do when choosing a theme for her party? Which of her 2009 passions will she have to deny? I was obligated (of course!) to come up with a way to integrate all of her "hobbies" into one party. Add a blizzard that postponed our Amarillo travel plans on Charis' birthday, and I really had a creative challenge on my hands!









Charis started her birthday celebration by having birthday breakfast with her three favorite American Girls: Kirsten, Molly, and Kit- here represented by paper plate masks. We threw in some tulle, feathers, china and a purple-sprinkled, candled donut and had ourselves a fine, yet unplanned, birthday breakfast.


Tate, not to be outdone, insisted on having lunch with all of his monkey friends.



Charis waited an entire week after her actual birthday for the party of all parties: pottery painting at an art studio with her friends, Mariah (front right), Berkley(blond) and Lauren(back left).


The birthday girl sent out Littlest Pet Shop e-mail invitations, set her table with Barbie plates and napkins, and served cupcakes decorated with frosting replications of the American Girls' dresses.

Her party was such a grand success that a spontaneous session of praise and worship broke out.

As her final act as Birthday Girl, Charis got to put her hand print on the birthday wall at the pottery studio.