Poh-Toh

Today, I am thankful that Porter (or Poh-Toh, if you're Vivi) is patient.

She really is a sweet, patient dog (aside from that whole thunderstorm behavioral quirk), willing to put up with dang near anything.  Observe...

Here she sits, happily, with one of her most favorite things in the world: an empty soda bottle.

Unfortunately, Vivi also thought the empty soda bottle was quite cool, and that she should have it instead.

Now, Porter does have a tend to fixate obsessively on toys (which you are aware of, if you have ever played ball with her), and occasionally we will have to remove a toy from her sight so she will be able to break focus and do things like, oh, say, eat.

I will assume that Vivi was trying to help her, not tease her mercilessly, when she stole the bottle, and ran in a giant circle around the first floor waving it over her head.  Poor little Porter just followed patiently behind,waiting for her to drop it, even though she could have bowled Vivi over and taken in it back in about two seconds.

Eventually it ended in a very one-sided tug of war, as Porter allowed Vivi to "play" with her.

I do not think Porter was tugging very hard.  Eventually I rescued her bottle and gave it back to her, and then Vivi and I shared a very special lesson on washing our hands after playing with the doggies because GROSS.

Bless your heart, little black dog!

Mi Familia(s)

Today, I am thankful for my family.  Seems so obvious,doesn't it?  But I have so many families!  The family I was born into.  The family I married into.  The family I am creating with Russ.  My family of friends.  My work family.  There are all these different relationships and ties and interactions that will help teach Vivi what it means to be a close family and a close friend, be you tied by blood or just by love (or both!).

I really value that.

Families are always there to pick you up when you are down, to give advice when you need it, or make you laugh...or just to sit and read you a book about kitties.  (Please do take time to note the awesome Cindy-Lou Hoo hair in this photo--stellar!)

Sometimes, your family members will even loan you highly coveted driving toys...and not be TOO offended when you try to hide them as they are getting ready to leave (sorry about that, Noah!).

Viva las familias!

Halcyon Days...

Today I am grateful for this unexpected nice weather.  It has been in the 70s for the past four days, and while it does get dark early, it is still totally lovely when I take the dogs out at 10 pm.

We've been making the most of it.  Vivi is becoming very interested in plantlife...future botanist, perhaps?

Or...uh...future vegetarian.  Hm.

I cannot help but think though, that these are our halcyon days, not just weather-wise.  Once it finally gets cold, the next time it will be nice enough to go outside in short sleeves, Vivi will be a different kid.  She may be long past the toddling stage, able and desiring to walk around under her own power instead of being carried.  She'll be able to do stairs and climb into her castle unaided. She will be almost two!  

We've spent our summer out on the porch and the drive way soaking up the sun, learning to walk and talk by observing her very big world.  NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING TRAPPED INSIDE. Damn you, pending snow!

Pirates, Ye Be Warned

Today, I am thankful that somethings never cease to be fun...like a fort made out of a blanket and a laundry basket.

She and Jack-Dog sailed off for quite some time in her basket/pirate ship (heck, if she's not able to tell me exactly what she thinks it is, I'm going to decide for myself.  Vivi's not the only one with an imagination.)

"Careful, Jack.  We're off the map.  Here there be monsters!"

"Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of milk!"

The Adventures of Jack-Dog...

Today, I am thankful for Vivi's burgeoning imagination!  Jack-Dog, however, is probably not.  As Little Miss is beginning to realize that the things she does in her day can be acted out by others, poor, stoic Jack is frequently the subject of her imaginary play.

This morning, for instance, we heard Vivi's trademark giggle coming from the kitchen.  We looked in to find this:

Upon being discovered, the little mastermind fled the scene.  Can you tell what's going on?

Poor Jack has been kenneled.  Naw-tee.

And later?  More giggles from the dining room.

Vivi had placed Jack in her booster chair with a bib, and then convinced Daddy to put the tray on so Jack-Dog could "EAT!  EAT!  Jack-Dog!  EAT!"  She is apparently quite worried that he get his three square meals a day.

Have no fear.  Jack was served a beverage as well.  Vivi is the consummate server!

Fine dining, Vivi style!  Poor, long-suffering Jack-Dog.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

Thanks, Volume Two

So.  In keeping with my earlier post...

Today, I am also thankful for the fact that Vivi likes to read.  I cannot go to bed without reading for at least half an hour, and so I am really, really hoping that Vivi continues to love to pick up books.  She likes to wander off and "read" to herself or Jack-Dog, and we frequently hear, "Book?  Book.  Reed eet!  Reed eet!"  after which she plops down into our laps.

This morning, she was so excited about reading she could not pick just one book to read.

"No, Dad, I've got this.  You read that one out loud, and I'll read this one myself."

She was shocked that we didn't think this was a great idea.  I am so thankful she loves books!

Multiple thanks

All right, all right.  I know.  I didn't blog yesterday.  I'm sorry.  I didn't get home until 12:30 am, which is technically today.  Soooo...I'll post twice today!  An excellent compromise, I think.

Yesterday, I was thankful for football.  Stop laughing.

I got to go to my brother John's playoff game (very cold, btw), and I was just so proud of how hard he has worked to become a great football player.  It's not easy to excel at a sport and to start every game your senior  year, and he's done it.  The Bolts may not have won, but they played one heck of a game, and I was proud to be there and cheer them on.

And no, the world's cutest cheerleader did not come with me.

It was way too cold!  She did have a lot of fun trying my hat on, though.

More thanks to follow!