Relay for Life

Somehow, someway, I never got the invitation for the survivor walk and dinner this year.

It could be it got lost in the mail, never was mailed, or perhaps I tossed it with some junk mail and didn't take notice to it. I hate to think I could have done such a thing as I've been going to this event for years, but it's possible. That being said, I didn't join a team, I didn't raise any money, and I didn't get a t-shirt this year.

But I still went and walked.

With my girlfriend Jodi, and her daughter.

I also didn't take but a couple pictures. 

We used the time to walk 5-6 laps and catch up. 

Much needed. 

Thank you for joining us, Jodi and Kenna. It was good to walk and talk.

We arrived just in time for the opening ceremony. Survivor lap is at 6. We wheeled in at 5:55. Little did I forget that the opening ceremony was 20-30 minutes before first lap. The stories are great, but with two little ones, it's a really LONG time.

Luckily, Kenna's mom came with distractions. 

A farm book....perfection!

 Patience, sweet Gavin. Patience.

I know you're ready to walk.

 

  Almost time...

They ask survivors to *somewhat* line up according to years clear...I've made it to the 15 or less spot!

 This was soooo cute! 

I wish so much I could have gotten my camera out and on faster to get them walking side by side...hand in hand.

 Gavin was the first to be told that we do not touch the luminaries on the side of the track, so of course, once Kenna was intrigued by them, he was helpful to lead her back to walking the track.

 On another note, I told Gavin we were going to the track when I picked him up from daycare. I had no idea that in his mind he thought it meant a "race car" track. He asked several times where the cars were....poor guy.

He now knows there are running tracks AND race car tracks.

He did MUCH running this particular evening. It was great!

**Addendum: I received my invitation in the mail the Wednesday following the event.
It was only a *little* late.

High Maintenance

Another emergency vet visit today. I tried to get in Saturday, but they were booked.

Thursday night, Sammy was fine.

Friday, when I got home, he had gnawed off the outer side of his front paw.

It's continued to get worse. Neither of us sleep, because of the gnawing and licking.

My poor, poor dog is miserable.

 Pretty gross, isn't it?

It's puffing out of his paw now. Swollen and nasty.

I was just to the vet with Sammy less than a month ago. He has severe allergies.

Did you know that 1/3 of all dogs have allergies?

They do.

They gave him a shot. I have the pills, ear solution, and medicated shampoo for his paws.

I've kept up with everything as best that I can.

Obviously, last couple days, I haven't touched his paws.

So I went back to the vet. Just shy of a month later.
And now I have THREE meds to give him on top of the ear solution and Medicated paw shampoo!

 He's on Fluoxetine (Prozac) Yes, Prozac! Hoping to calm him down and ease him from gnawing and licking his paw. Fluconazole for his ears and Prednisone for his allergies.

Can you over medicate a dog?!!

Vet showed me pictures of severe cases of this paw gnawing. I can't remember the name of the condition. It can get REALLY bad. I'm talking majority of legs even. So let's nip it in the bud, now. Causes...possibly boredom and separation anxiety. Who knew.

So on top of all the meds. I'm going to be playing A LOT more with them, as well as, finally focus on some serious leash training. I owe it to them :)

 Because this is no way to live.

Helps a bunch that I have a little helper too!

 Oh boys. We are going to figure this out :)
You might be a TON of work lately...but you're worth it!

 

The Letter S

S is for Snake.

Appropriate, because Grandpa took Gavin snake hunting last week.

They discovered two at the WW Knight Preserve.

A BIG snake that slithered down into the water.

And a little snake along a path.

Be careful, Grandpa. Don't get him bitten on one of your snake hunts.

And if you come across one that resembles this one.....stay back!

A little Mom love

Gotta love the mom love you get from the daycare.

Not so sure about that amazing long legged illustration. 

My age and weight are amazing.

But seriously, my favorite is the last.

I love her because she loves me back.

Gavin: I love you to the moon and back and I will ALWAYS be here. 

Forever.

I also love the dandelions you pick for me daily!

I love you, sweet boy.

You are one amazing, happy, loving little boy!

The Office

Seriously, I work with some of the most amazing people ever!

We were all privileged to get up on Saturday morning and work during Open House a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had to leave a little early to get to my other job and this picture was taken at the end of the day. (sniff sniff)

Luckily, my fantastic coworkers felt I shouldn't be left out. Soooo, they went on to Facebook, perused my pictures and found the perfect one to add me in.

You guys are the best.

Connect Four

Not the traditional Connect Four....yet. 

We begin this game by sorting colors and then stacking them into piles.

 A big focus right now is turn taking. And Gavin doesn't always get to go first.

 This day he wanted to do patterns for each column.

(red, yellow, red, yellow, yellow, red)

 Once the board is full, he enjoys the big *release!*

CRASH!

Good stuff.

Ice cold milk

This past Thursday we broke another record high temperature of 88 degrees!

Last weekend we had snow flurries.

It's been a bit unpredictable around here lately,

But on this day, after running around outside, these two buddies wanted some ice cold milk.

In matching cups.

 Aren't they the sweetest!!

Hot, sweaty and dripping of milk, sweet :)