New family member

This is our new puppy. He doesn't really have a name yet. Katie calls him Snowman. The rest of us call him Puppy. We took him to Tommy & Katie's T-ball game. I thought he could just sit on the blanket with me and it wouldn't be a big deal. He did just sit on the blanket with me but so did 100 kids. We were swarmed! That's what happens when you get the cutest puppy ever I guess. The neighbor kids are crazy about him too. He is part Poodle and part Pomeranian. Mike gets mad when I say he is a pom-poo. He thinks it sounds ridiculous. Mike was really hoping for a much more manly dog. I told him we would get a manly carry-all for him to carry the dog in. It won't look at all like a purse. He is still going to get a motorcycle to restore his manhood. The kids really love him because although he is playful, he is also mellow and they can hold him. Katie tries to keep him from touching the ground as much as possible. I've tried to convince her that he really can walk, but she has yet to believe me. We just wish Mike's uncle John was here to train him. He is a genius with animal training. What makes training him tough is that he uses the same defense my kids and Mike use, "But look how cute I am". And it works with all of them.

T-Ball time again!

It's T-ball time! Katie and Tommy are on the same team this year. A lot of you were skeptical but I knew it would all work out. OK, so maybe you all had a small point, Katie is very young. Even though she said she wanted to play when I registered them last month, she changed her mind at the first practice. She refused to play. I tried the mean, threatening mom approach but it didn't work. She was intimidated by all of those kids and just wanted to watch Tommy. At the second practice, I tried the nice, understanding and gently encouraging approach which she also shot down. Finally, for their first game, I used blatant bribery. "If you play, I will buy you a toy." It worked. She got out there and played. It also helped that Mike took her out to play catch when everyone was warming up. He also stood out on the bases and helped all of the kids know where to go next. We have some good coaches again this year and the parents are all great. I thought Katie would keep running back to me a million times but she didn't. She actually had a great time. Tommy was a great teammate and brother and gave her little tips here and there. I was so proud of both of them. I knew she would have fun if she just gave it a chance, and she did. The best part is Mike has been able to go to all of the practices so far. 

Summer begins

We had a community garage sale this weekend. This is the first time we have had a garage sale although we have been saving junk in anticipation for quite some time. The best part was the kids all played together and we got to know new people in the neighborhood, and we got rid of a lot of stuff we don't need. It took a little while to get used to the rejection. You know when people walk through your driveway and look at everything and then leave without buying anything. Just because I don't like it either doesn't mean it isn't good stuff. I decided I need people to shop here who have very low standards but are willing to pay top dollar. Even though I got severely sunburned, it was a lot of fun. The golf umbrellas did provide some shade.

Our little baby birds were growing so nicely. Here they are with their feathers. Unfortunately, we found their nest empty and overturned on the ground. We told the kids that they flew away but...

I think this guy knows the truth.

This is our neighbor's yard. We don't live in a rural area. They are moving and are rarely home. The fox thinks it is a meadow and not a suburb. Who are we to tell him otherwise. I actually don't think he ate the baby birds. I think I saw the cat that did. I think the fox ate that cat.