Sleeping Adventures

First of all, I'm super thankful that Nicholas is still in the crib and has not made even the slightest attempt to get out of it (ok fingers crossed I did not just jinx myself).

Second of all, I'm also thankful to have a monitor to watch his crazy antics. Number one, because I know that he is safe, and number two, it's kind of hilarious.

Lately, he likes to take all of the sheets off of the crib, throw them out, and then take off all his clothes (I should also add I'm glad he doesn't take off his diaper, again here's hoping I did not just jinx myself).

But, he often pulls the mattress protector or the sheet back in, pulls it over his head and wraps it around his feet, and then falls asleep. Of course, Mom that I am, I then creep back in to pull it off of his face. I know he won't really suffocate because he's obviously able to breathe and take it off his head but it gets awfully hot up there so I just feel better when I can see that his face is uncovered.

Here are the pics I've gotten of his antics. Enjoy!

Simone Update

I've got a potential adopter for this girl tomorrow! Fingers crossed please!! I will be leaving her at the Humane Society and if she is not adopted tomorrow, I told the shelter manager I would take her back when we are home from Memorial Day Weekend in New York. She has been a total sweetheart and has warmed up and come out of her shell, I'm so proud of her (ok and of me a little) and I know she will make someone very happy.

Lila's Third Birthday

Last weekend we celebrated my friend Maggie's daughter Lila's 3rd birthday. Nick stayed home with Dexter as he had been a little off for a few days and I was afraid to leave him alone. Nicholas had a GREAT time. Maggie's Dad commented that he felt bad for me because I spent the whole time running back and forth across the yard with Nicholas. Honestly, I had a great time and I'm so glad Nicholas is happy and so full of energy and ready to do just about anything. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to relax with a glass of wine when I got home ;)

Maggie did such an awesome job, from the food, to the decorations, and we had a great time!

This is the first picture I sent Nick, haha

This is where I found him when it was time to leave.

Bouncy House Fun!

Sweet Lila!

There may have been a disagreement (or 3) over this lil' stroller :)

Cupcake=Good.

Another Semester Down!

I finished my first year at school a few weeks ago. Final grades came through this past Friday and I am happy to say I got straight A's again. This semester I had Canine Training (so much fun!) Canine & Feline Nutrition, and my first non Animal Care class, Principles of Management.

I've been working with Dexter on some of the things I've learned in canine training and he is doing really well. He came to class with me a lot and I've definitely seen an improvement. I've also taught him using the clicker training method and I've taught him how to spin (he doesn't have it down yet but is doing really well) along with "leave it" and we've done some target training. As most of you know I love Dexter so much, he's my first "child", and I'm so glad I have him to be a part of something that is so very important to me. Here are some pictures of my little furry dude:

First day of training. He had no idea what was going on, but was his usual over excited self.

Passed OUT after his first day of training. It is mentally exhausting for the dogs, especially when they are so new to clicker training. Also, he had so many treats that let's just say the house did not smell so great for a few days..

Here he is with my teacher Professor Watkins, showing everyone how awesome he is.

This is Schultz, he's a Leonberger, was about the size of a horse, and totally mellow and awesome.

We were trying to teach him how to get on a towel up on a bench without saying a word (clicker training, google it if you are not familiar...) Here he's giving us a look letting us know he knows what we want, but he just doesn't feel like doing it.

Principles of Management was a class I didn't think I was going to enjoy nearly as much as I did. I really liked the teacher and his teaching style, and actually feel like I learned a lot. On my last day of classes the Professor said to me "Crystal, you did excellent this semester, nice job." I said "Thanks, I really enjoyed the class." He gave me a look and I said "No, I'm not being sarcastic, I really did!" And he laughed and said thank you.

Canine & Feline Nutrition was taught by my favorite Professor, Professor Shaw, and I learned a lot about how what we feed our pets and how it can affect them. I switched Dexter's dog food and he's done really well, and when friends ask me questions now I try to help them as best as I can.

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, leaving my job was the best decision I could have ever made and I've never been happier.

xoxo

Easter

The day before Easter we had an Easter Egg Hunt with Nick's cousin Sam, his wife Aisling, and their children Nicky & Maggie. Nicky is 6 and did an awesome job helping Nicholas & Maggie (who is a little younger than Nicholas) find eggs.

On Easter we went to Nick's parents house and it was so awesome- fabulous food and lots of laughs, and it's always great watching the kiddos play together. Alice is getting bigger by the minute (those bunny ears!!).

Mother's Day Brunch

Today I celebrated a few of my favorite Mom's with a Mother's Day Brunch. It was a beautiful and relaxing day and it was great to just sit back, with no kiddos (except for beautiful Maggie!), and just have some girl time.
I'm very fortunate to have so many wonderful Mom friends, but wanted to keep it low key and it was just perfect.

Feline Foster Updates

Zanzibar was my first successful adoptable foster. He was a model foster, a big fluffy guy who was very sweet, loved to cuddle, and was just all around awesome. He was actually trapped as a feral cat, neutered, and the vet who neutered him thought he was so cool that he turned him over to LHS for adoption. When a potential adopter asked questioned about him, they were directed to me and it was really great that it turned out to be the perfect match. Here's sweet Zanzibar, or as he's now known, Iron Man (the 3 year old boy got to name him, and he picked Iron Man, even though he's never seen the movie:)

I also currently have a foster named Simone. Simone makes me sad. She's a beautiful, skinny, coarse coated little girl who is afraid of everything. Her prior situation appears to not have been a great one, she had an infected uterus when I got her and now has worms which she has been medicated for. She is afraid of everything, and doesn't seem to know any cat language (such as head boops being a sign of affection). I'm working with her though, and hoping I can keep her for a little while to bring her out of her shell.