R.I.P Sage

1999-2010

Dear Sage ....

I miss you so much! I had a hard time sleeping last night without the lullaby of your snore. When I got up you were not there for me to trip over, I almost forgot to feed Lucy breakfast, because you were not there to remind me.

I remember the day that we went to go and bring you home... 11.5 years ago. You were so small and sweet and then you grew and grew, until you weighed as much as me. You took me for walks, you showed me how to just lounge in the pool water - never swim. You showed me how to run in the snow until your paws were frozen. You showed me how to clean the floor better than any broom. Best of all you showed me how to be a loyal friend.... you were always excited to see me, always by my side and when I would move to a new place, so would you. Thank you for taking such good care of Rylie and Ella... you were always so gentle and patient with them as they arrived.

I am sad now, but I know my heart will heal knowing that in Heaven you are running and playing. Ella said that she knows you are eating biscuits in Heaven and that makes us happy knowing that you feel better now.

We will never forget you.

Love,

M

Ella's First Day

Today was the first official day of 4 year old Preschool for Ella. We had one day last week for oreintation... meet the teacher day. She was able to check out the classroom, make her snack mat and meet new friends on that day. Today was a routine preschool day. Ella of course did great... she is so very social and loves to play with anything that is not at home. I am so proud of what a big girl she is.

It did not even hit me until I walked to the car after dropping her off this morning .... but I was going to have 2.5 hours without children... what? I first shed a few tears... I was going to miss Ella... I lover her so much and she is so much fun and makes me smile. Then I thought about all the other people she was going to share her infectious personality with at school and all the fun that would be for her.

She had a great time! She told me all about it when I picked her up... made a purse to bring her sharing in, painted, made a puppet, played in the kitchen, Sang the song "God our Father" and had a snack of apples ... so Ella of course excused herself to go read books instead ( I sure hope that she used her good manners and did not say Yuck!) The parent/teacher helper told me after class that Ella would sure sleep good tonight... she is a busy girl!! Oh yes she is! :)

I can't believe this is our last year at the preschool... 4 years has gone by so fast. This is going to be a great one.

Have a great year Ella!

If I Had a Million Dollars....

I would buy a house on Orcas Island.....

It has been almost a month since we took our annual trip to Orcas, but I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of our amazing week at our favorite little place to visit. My dream... is to have a house on Orcas for my family. It is a BIG dream and it is not too realistic I know, but I think we should all have one for our family.

There are so many things to love about Orcas, but my top 5 ...

1. The lifestyle... relaxed, organic, quiet....not too much TV! My family LOVES being there!

2. The deer... Rylie loves to feed the deer... every night we prepare a feast of apples and carrots for these cute little creatures that Ella loves to call for Rylie to feed ... "reindeer... where are you? Oh reindeer, where are you?" Eventually they show and it is so exciting!

3. The Rock beach.... I love the beach, but not a big fan of the sand, but on Orcas our favorite beach is Rocks... perfect... we can spend all day there and not be covered in Sand.

4. The view of all the sea planes landing and taking off and the boats in the marina .... I could sit in the adirondack chair on the hill and watch for them all day.

5. The food .... we love to eat GOOD food in our family and on Orcas we spend the day harvesting our food and then eat an amazing meal for dinner of Crab, Clams, Salmon, Organic produce, all fresh from the Island.... only on Orcas can you drive around the Island and find farm stands that are not staffed...all honor system. If you want to buy fresh, Organic veggies... you just put your money in a tin can and take what you need.... amazing! ... I also Love the Orcas farmers market on Saturdays!

6. I have to mention one more... the ferry boat... the ride is beautiful and the perfect way to start and end the trip!

First day of School for Rylie

Today was a big day!!! Rylie started the 1st Grade! She was SO EXCITED!!! What a big deal.... going off to school all day, packing a lunch, recess, new friends and her own desk... I am so happy for her, but I could't keep the tears back as I dropped her off. I kept thinking of how much I enjoy being with her and I will miss her during the day, but at the same time I know she will love school this year and that makes me happy with her!

Have a GREAT year Rylie!!!