Miss Bella

So while Ray was in Prague (but with his blessing), the kids and I picked up a new Gibson on a whim. This is Bella. 7 lbs (or HALF the size of our cat) when we got her but I'm pretty sure that she's put on at least a pound since Chloe has been feeding her.

We got her about a week before Gracie passed away. I've been so sad about losing Gracie that I haven't wanted to write about Bella. She's really Chloe's dog, Chloe picked her, or she picked Chloe - not really sure which. She was at PetSmart with a local rescue group and Chloe asked to hold her. Bella curled up right on Chloe's lap and it was all over.

It's been quite an adjustment - we're a "big dog" family. This girl does everything differently - she grazes instead of inhaling her food, she insists on sleeping in bed, under the covers, pees if you grab her too abruptly and she chews up shoes :(

On a positive note - she patrols the backyard like a big tough Doberman (she even caught a rabbit), she NEVER barks and she is sweet as can be. Oh, and Beau really enjoys having a playmate!

First Day of School - 2012!

Here's our little second grader! Chloe is really looking forward to having one of her Kindergarten friends in her class again this year. In her grade, the boys outnumber the girls by more than 2 to 1. I dread the day that she deems that a good thing!

Parker was not in the mood! This little man officially started private Kindergarten at his daycare. He's too young for it to count but he was ready and since he was already in the school, they took him. He'll go to "regular" Kindergarten next year. Somehow this kid already knows how to write his name. Silly mom never even tried to put a pen in his hand - boy did I feel like a loser when he brought home his first paper!

Still not in the mood :(

Parker's handy work:

More of Parker's picture-taking! Beautifying my girl :)