Custom Converse - Emma style :)

Emma found on the Converse website that you could create and order a customized pair of shoes - cool, huh?  She chose the colors on her own, had the embroidery put on with her name and soccer number, and they are a hit with her friends :)

And just a cute shot from yesterday at Kenton's basketball game - all the girls lined up in a row - Emma, Kennedy, Payton (2yo sweetie pie) and a non-smiling Tracy.  Whassupwithat?

Valentine's Bowling Party

The three 5th grades at Emma's school rented out the bowling alley on Friday for a Valentine's Day celebration - $5 bucks and they got two games and shoes - whattadeal!  I shuttled kids and watched as they had a fabulous time, Emma was with her "6 Muskateers" (as she calls them):  Ashlyn, Katelynn, Joy, Tristen & Alayna.  These girls are pure joy - the same girls that came over for a Christmas sleepover.

Oh, and this picture of Emma??  It was also spirit day - they had to wear red, white, and pink.  Personally, I think she should've won "most spirit" in all the school :)  Pink socks, hot pink leggings, pink shorts OVER the leggings, white tank, pink soccer jersey, several pink necklaces, approximately 20 pink bracelets, pink pony holders, one pink earring and one white, and pink lip gloss - now that's spirit :)

Simple Pleasures - a note to self

I cut out a little list of "simple pleasures" from a magazine, probably 15 years ago, that has been on every fridge I've had since then - I just eyed it again today and thought everyone, including me, could use a simple reminder every now and then :)

*  feeling the sun on the back of your neck

*  dawn

*  the smell of bacon or coffee first thing in the morning

*  singing in church

*  hearing your cat purr (or in my case, petting my one-eyed dog :)

*  finding money in the couch (or the pocket of your ski jacket at the beginning of the season!)

*  knowing you did the right thing

*  making a new friend

*  getting into a freshly made bed

*  having all the ingredients on hand when you decide to cook something special

*  getting snapshots back from the processor (see?  I told you this list was old :)

*  getting a tax refund

*  a great haircut

*  moonlight on the ocean

*  massages, hugs, ladybugs, new shoes, naps, cashmere, making up after a fight

*  knowing you have a full tank of gas

*  the smell of fresh cut grass

*  going home after a bad day

*  when the days start to be a little longer

*  having exact change

*  two scoops

*  having the house all to yourself

*  shiny windows and mirrors

*  browsing in bookstores

*  making someone smile

*  coming home from a vacation

*  watching your kids when they are sleeping

*  the sound of rain on the roof, especially when you're under the covers

*  licking the frosting bowl

*  wearing something new

*  being excited about tomorrow

Coop is doing well

Thanks for everyone's care and concern, the baby is doing well.  He came home yesterday and was still a bit fazed (probably from pain meds and just the pure trauma of it all), and they had a plastic cone on his head which he hated.  I would too.  I know its intent is to stop him from pawing at the incision, but I think it really affected his peripheral vision of the remaining eye - so we took it off.  He's not bothering the incision at all, and he seems happier.  He settled in well last night and was happy to be in his bed, he has drank and ate as well.  Today, he seems happy as ever :)  He went outside and chased a few birds, gave a mighty growl at a passing car, and gave lots of kisses to all of us.

What a day.... we'll call him 'One-Eyed Coop'

So Emma and I get our act together this morning a bit earlier than usual so that we can take Cooper to doggie daycare for some play time.  Cooper ran out of the back door as soon as he saw me grab the leash, he knew something fun was ahead of him.  He loves daycare, he met another 'Cooper' while waiting to get checked in - and he gave us that signature head-cocking look of "yes?  I'm happy, yes?" and we drove to school and then work.

By 8:35 there was a message for us at home, which I thought was odd - that someone would call our house so early - so as I was sitting in court waiting for the Judge to arrive I called home.  It was the vet.  I thought he was calling to tell me Cooper needed updated shots for daycare since he hadn't visited in over 6 months.

Cooper was attacked within 5 minutes of arriving in the room, and another dog gripped his head so hard that Cooper lost an eye.  I was bawling within seconds, I think I even hyperventilated as the doctor tried to explain it to me.  All of this in front of about 50 people... I ran out and sped to the vet.  Carl met me there, we both held him and tried to look away while comforting him - both of us crying.  Poor little guy.

Anyway, he's out of surgery - the next hurdle is telling Emma today at about 3:20.  Wish us luck.  Here's what I always remember... but I know he'll be as cute as ever: