On The Mend

After a huge scare, we are happy to see that Jake is up and walking around.  Granted it's a LOT slower than normal, but he is walking around on his own four feet.  A visit to our local vet office gave us the diagnosis of pancreatitus and dehydration.  He is on a bland diet for the next few days and an antibiotic for seven days but he is happy to see his diet of rice and chicken - and Erin is happy because she gets the extra rice that I made!! =-)  I suspect the culprit is part of a roast that I gave him b/c of the excess fat that was on it - I guess we need to trip the fat off of his meat just the way I do for ours!

And here is where I need to say ~ I officially understand those people that spend large amount of money to get a diagnosis & then treatments for their pets.  I used to say that it was "only a dog/cat" but now.... Well, he is much more than that.  And seeing the fear and tears in my kids' eyes.......

I will even be happy to see him start pulling at the leash again when he latches onto some scent along the trail!

Man's Best Friend

Today has been a rough day....the newest member to our family appears to be quite sick and I feel totally and utterly helpless. A day or so ago Jake started limping with sore front paw. Last night, we noticed Jake wasn't himself and Terry was pretty concerned. This morning, he wouldn't come out of his house for Trevor to walk so I came home after my first "shift" at work to try to walk him. He sat in his house just shaking and whining. I was a bit worried about how he would be after school but he was just where I left him....in his nice cozy warm house. I carried him up to the house and we put him in a crate in the basement but by this point he hadn't eaten or drank in about 24 hours. Erin and Trevor have both shed many tears but Emily made this sign for our front door - that is her way of therapy!
However, tonight Trevor and I went to spend a few minutes with Jake. When Jake saw his bestest buddy coming, he tried to get up so we took him outside. With a little coaxing with some chicken, he drank a bit of water and ate a lot of chicken while he walked from the house to the kennel...still hobbling but he did WALK! After getting to the kennel he ate some dog food as well.
We are crossing our fingers, arms, legs, etc. tonight and hoping for a better Jake tomorrow. Trevor so sadly told me tonight that Jake hasn't been part of our family for very long but we already have had so many good times with him. And I really feel like Jake is one of my kids....something I couldn't have believed......before Jake.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Our annual Thanksgiving stay at a waterpark resort in the Dells ~ right down to the homemade
Thanksgiving meal that we make right in our kitchen at the condo. 

The water, the surfing, the sliding and the hot tub lounging....ahhhhh!

Turkeys!!

We found another fun idea and, of course, we just had to make them! Emily and Erin (wearing their hats for "Hat Day") took these treats to school to share with their class. It was just two oreo cookies, a mini PB cup, a whopper and candy corn (which was impossible to find!). They turned out to be almost too cute to eat!

South American Project

In 7th grade Geography, Trevor's class has been studying the South American countries. To make the studying more fun, she gave them an assignment that was broken down into sections for you to do depending on what grade you were aiming for. The "A" projects were the most fun so Trevor was anxious to get to them!! He spent one Saturday making the recipe he had researched - Llapingachos. It is mashed potatoes mixed with 2 egg yolks and formed into balls. In the middle of each ball, a whole is made and filled with shredded cheese before closing back up and forming it into a patty. After chilling for one hour, the patties are fried and served with any form of meat. They were the most tasty homework assignment he has ever had!

11-11-11

This day is always a great reminder to me of the freedom that we have in this country and how much was payed for us to have this freedom. As usual, both schools had a Veteran's Day program but this year it was extra special since Terry had the day off and could attend both of the programs!

We have been working with the elementary students on a program called PBIS-giving positive rewards for GOOD behavior and ignoring the BAD. Prior to beginning each step, an example of both behaviors are shown to the kids via a skit by the teachers. On this particular day, the principal simply stood in front of the 700+ students with a hand showing "0" (to signify the need to be completely quiet) without saying one word, and the students went completely silent - IT WAS A MOMENT OF PRIDE!

The middle school students put on a great program as well, with the presentation of colors, ets.

We are greatful for the price that was, and is still being paid, for our freedom.

Tricksters out getting Treats!

A huge thank you goes out to some friends that had us down to join in the fun with them and others! The kids enjoyed a time out trick-or-treating along with some organized games back at their house. A terrific time was had....a ton of laughs....and the making of new friends ~ something you can never have too many of!

First Snow of the Season - 11/9/11

Apparently, I wasn't keeping up on the weather because this snow storm caught me totally by surprise! The roads were total yuck so I didn't leave work after my 1:00 quit time. Oh, I tried!! But after driving a mere two blocks I decided to turn back and see if they needed help at school instead of driving anywhere. Walking up the walk to the doors of the school, I noticed that it was awfully black inside....and, yes, indeed, we had no power. Throughout the lunch hour, the power was teasing us with little blinks several times but we had lucked out. The power did come back on before school was released at 3:10, though.
The trip back home was much better as the plows had finally made it out! Walked into the house to go dig up the snow pants, boots, winter coats, etc. from the basement. Flip on the lights.....NOTHING! Flashlights come down with us, we find the goodies and just head outside to play, shovel and all the good stuff. Jake decided that snow is actually kind of fun....as long as he can head back to his nice warm house when he is done!
Terry called home to check on his shopping list of hamburger - asking if I needed it tonight. Well, YES! I need it for supper. Then he asked the question of WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT.....with no power? Wwwwell - now that was something I hadn't thought of! So, he picked up pizza and headed on home - about the time he got home, our power came back on. Thankfully, as it was starting to get just a wee bit chilly in the house and we were cold and wet from the soggy snow that had fallen.
But, hey! We did get to enjoy a good old fashioned snow ball fight!!
Happy winter, y'all!

Just a Singin'

Berlin Middle School - 7th Grade Choir
This was their first performance of the year with a choir that was double the size of their choir from last year.  They did a tremendous job with Boatmen Stomp and Gonna Rise Up Singing.

In another music related note, Trevor tried out for BMS's Madrigal Ensemble group and earned one of the six slots they had available!  You go, Trevor!!!  This group will sing along with the choir for their holiday concert in December as well as Solo Ensemble in March.

Emily and Erin have also joined the Cougar Choir at the elementary school.  This is a group of 4th and 5th graders that elect to give up two recesses every week to practice as a group.  They will be performing twice throughout the year! 

Do you think music is in our blood?! 

We kept on peddling.....

Some great friends invited us to join them on a bike ride of 20+ miles on a terrific sunny fall day. It was great fun, awesome excercise and terrific fellowship. Terry took the girls back after 13.5 miles and Trevor toughed it out and went with me the entire 26 miles. My 20 year old bike that I bought from Hardware Hank for somewhere around $50 decided to junk out at about the half-way mark. The last 13 miles or so I rode in the last gear that I had left.....the fast-peddling gear. By the time we arrived at the "finish line" I found that my knees were burning and full of pain.....but the success that I felt out-weighed the pain. At least, until I was lying in bed dealing with the after affects! All in all, it was a terrific day....I just NEED.A.NEW.BIKE!!! (in the spring)

Day out with Dad~

Terry likes to have a day or two each year with the kids individually. A few weeks ago the girls were busy on a Friday with no school so Terry took a vacation day and took Trevor to Badger Sports Park and played (HARD) from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm! They were VERY tired and sore when they got back home from a day spent playing in the batting cages, go-carting and laser tag. I just love seeing the kids so excited to spend a day alone with Dad - what special memories they are making!