sister trips

Dear Em and Roo,

I bailed on you last weekend and left you with your Daddy for 4 days. Y'all had a blast.

He's still recovering.

I did a little something I've always wanted to do... a trip to NYC with my sisters.

Your aunts Becky, Joy and Kaki and I flew in from our respective parts of the country and met up in the big apple for some long overdue time together. It was pretty amazing and we packed a lot into our stay... Broadway, shopping, central park, museums, lots of eating and sight seeing, catching up and laughing.

I missed you two a lot, but y'all had birthday parties to attend and jumpy houses to conquer.

I hope that in 20 years, y'all are meeting up with each other and your cousins in fun places and doing the same sort of thing.

I hope that in 20 years your aunts and I are meeting up in a different location from you and your cousins... and still doing our thing, too.

Cousins

Unexpectedly, we were blessed to get a visit this week from Aunt Becky and her family.



I love that all the kids just fall right into a routine that speaks of having always been around each other. Though they seldom are.
If wishes were realities...

Dogs and Blogs

A week and a half ago, Maggie dog stopped eating and started acting a little depressed. By, Friday, we were very concerned and J took her to the vet. She was running a temperature and he said she needed antibiotics. Then, the vet sent her home.
She didn't get better.

On Sunday, J took her to a different vet. Who told us she, most likely, had a uterine infection (pyrometria). This vet did blood work, gave Maggie dog IV fluids and an antibiotic injection. She sent Maggie home with instructions for us to watch her closely for certain symptoms and to bring her in Monday morning for a re-check.
photos taken upon Maggie's return from the vet on Sunday

Monday morning brought no good news. Maggie needed emergency surgery, a spay. The new vet saved her life, because the encapsulated infection was on the verge of bursting. At the end of the day, Maggie appeared to be recovering properly. So, she came home.

Tuesday morning, at 2am, J was so concerned that he took her to the pet emergency room. Her gums were white, she was huffing in pain and, it turned out, she was hypothermic. So, more IV fluids, antibiotics and warming blankets. She was able to come home by 4 that afternoon. Behaving much like her old self.

By Tuesday night she wanted to catch a ball and ate a few table scraps. By Wednesday night she was running across the yard and barking at the blender again. And today, she seems completey normal, with the exception of not chowing down yet.
We are so very thankful!!!

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Have you noticed the new and improved blog header?
Isn't it wonderful!
Thank you so much to Aunt Becky at Cheese My Head for the fun changes!
She's working wonders in lots of places. Ask her for some pretty for your blog, too!

a grand time

We had a fast trip to the McGrandparents' last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In honor of Aunt Becky and the cousins' visit to Texas.

The Rowdy Girls hit the ground running.

First an Easter egg hunt.
Then, lots of sticky bubble fun.

Also, there was the to-share-or-not-to-share debate. Mostly, sharing won.

And snuggles and hugs for tired little kids who only took a 20 minute nap in the car.

Em and Roo started a band while we were gone. They're sticking with The Rowdy Girls as their working band name.

After band practice, there were free rides on the barber chair courtesy of Grandpa.
Baby Gracie did not want to be left out. Em was fascinated with her baby cousin and was so sweet and soft with her.

And right before we had to leave, Marmee completed the Easter dresses for the three girls. So, they stripped down to their leggings to try them on.
Jonah was still sporting his jammas because he had a long night with a double ear infection. Which, did not slow him down, even a little bit.

Em and Roo love their fluffy smocked Easter dresses. Thank you, Marmee!

looky here

Look what Aunt Becky made for us today!