May 2013

Here is my yearly update on my growing kids.  I decided to add Claire this time as she is the only one shorter than me....for now.  We can all watch her catch up to me.  Here are the past two years:

May 2012

May 2011

soccer x 2 + track = where did April go?

Where did April go?  It flew by!  Probably because we have spent it going to watch these guys playing on the 6th and 8th grade soccer teams.  Two games a week each.  They are both having great seasons.

Carter also decided to try out for the track team this year to see if he would like to do it in High School-he made it. Practice every day, one meet a week.  I went to my first track meet and discovered I don't like them.  They are longer than swim meet if you can believe it.  I did enjoy watching Carter.  Events he participated in:  long jump, 1600, 4X800, 4X200, and 4X100.  He loves relays.  His last meet is this week, thank goodness.

referee

Carter and Jared recently got certified to be soccer referees.  This entailed a full weekend of sitting in a class room learning all about soccer then passing a test.  They both did great.  Jared is not ready to actually ref yet (he is on the young side), but Carter was anxious to get started.  He was mainly ready to start earning some money (and show Claire she isn't the only one who can earn money around here).  Refs get paid well.  He gets $20 a game (one hour).  Last Saturday Carter refereed his first, second, third, forth, and fifth game.  All in a row!  Allen went with him and earned the father of the year award for sitting out in the sun for 5 hours watching his son work.  Carter was quite nervous and Allen wanted to be there just in case a parent got ugly (didn't happen).  Allen said it was neat to see Carter progress throughout the day.  His first game he rarely blew his whistle and when he did it was quiet and he spoke timidly.  But each game he gained confidence and by game 5 he was blowing that whistle left and right with all the confidence a 14 year old boy can have.

flu and birthday

 Last month I got the flu.  It really knocked me down.  I spent about a week doing this.

I also had a birthday last month.  I got five cards.  Three had dogs on them.  I have never gotten a dog card before.  It made me smile.

mustache

 It's real....and has to be shaved at least twice a month.

working girl

Claire was hired to be in a commercial that will be on the internet.  She was picked to work two days (45 minutes one day, 1 1/2 hours another day).  She got paid $100 for each day of work.  She was so excited!  Her brothers were quite jealous of her paychecks.  Here are a few photos of her "on location."

neo

So, after about 6 weeks of Max being gone, we were ready to get a new dog.  We had all become dog lovers and knew we wanted a dog in our lives.  We missed having one quite a bit.  Jared was somewhat hesitant because he was scared to become so attached to another dog and didn't want to go through the pain again.  I was very anxious to get another dog to alleviate some of my guilt, plus I just wanted a dog very much.  I had learned that having a dog made me happy.  Their unconditional "love" is such a sweet thing.  They think you are the greatest and they just make me smile.

I found this sweet little guy.  He is a Havanese, 14 pounds, and feels like cotton (but doesn't shed).  He was 11 months when we got him.  We named him Neo.  He likes to be held, hates to wear Santa outfits, and if he is tired enough he will lay with you.  And he likes to lick you, especially if you are a bit sweaty.  Just ask Jared who will let him lick his feet after playing basketball.  If you look close you can see Neo's tongue between Jared's toes-gross!    I asked Jared how long he has let Neo lick him.  He said one time Neo licked his leg for a whole TV show.  Neo came to us trained (very nice), and we have taught him some fun tricks-dance, shake, and roll over so far.

We have had him three and a half months now and we think he is great.  We now have the best combination of dogs.  Neo is our social, playful dog and Max is our shy, cuddly dog.  And the whole two dog thing--no big deal.  Just an extra bowl to put food in.  They play and entertain each other-which is extremely entertaining for us.  So, life is good.