A Boy and His Dog

We are a family of dog lovers.  It's funny actually that growing up we only had 1 dog, a miniature Dachshund named Bandit, but now as grown adults Daddy and I have 2 dogs, my brother and his wife have 3 and my sister and her husband have 1.  We just love dogs.  I believe I remember one Christmas at my aunt and uncles a few years back where there were about 25 people and 10 dogs. :)

Nearing 5 years old McGee has adopted Ben (or "Bun" as he calls him) as his dog.  He declares his love for Ben, plays with Ben, cuddles with Ben and most times Ben is quite content to have all the attention.  He often tells me Callie is my dog and Ben is his (but we all know that Ben is really MY cuddlebug boy).  Isn't it grand for a boy to have a dog?

Yep, I Did It Again

I committed to another project!  Something I probably don't have time for (but plan to make time for) but something I think I'll really grow from and treasure.  I've decided to do a Project 365 - which means taking and posting a photo a day.  I started up a new blog dedicated to this new project and it's called 365 Rays of Sunshine and I would love it if you stopped by to visit or added it to your blog reader.

As a little teaser, I just posted my entry there for the most recent I Heart Faces photo contest "Best Face of 2010" and I guarantee you'll enjoy it!  Head on over now to http://www.365raysofsunshine.blogspot.com/ to see a photo I LOVE (although I could never choose just ONE photo as a favorite)!

On another note, I left the house at 5:45 this morning for a consulting job, returned at 5 pm tonight and left abruptly about 40 minutes later not to return home until after the kids were in bed around 9pm and boy am I thankful I don't work full-time and I'm able to stay home with the kids!  While it was nice being a professional again for a little while today, I had to keep myself from pulling out my cell phone every 10 minutes to see what was going on at home!  I missed the kids and cannot wait to hug and kiss them first thing tomorrow morning.

If you're wondering why I had to leave abruptly, take a look at this gaping hole Ben received in his shoulder tonight when another dog ran out from his garage and attacked Ben while Daddy and he were running.  Yep, not good.  It doesn't really look like it here but it was at least the size of a half dollar and was super deep.  The vet just called about 10:15 tonight and said Ben was doing fine after surgery but that the bite really pulled the skin away from his body and left a big pocket between skin and body.  We'll pick him up tomorrow - what a trooper he was the vet techs all fell in love with him and the vet too!  Okay I'm exhausted now and off to bed.  Night!

I could...

Holy torpedo, I am SO behind on blogging!  Honestly there are so many events/topics/memories that I have wanted to and still need to blog about, but I haven't had the time.  Some of my downtime this weekend was spent enjoying the family and giving my eyes/fingers/back a break from the computer.

I fully intend to introduce you to the most beautiful baby soon, wish my niece a "Happy 3rd Birthday", share some heart-warming moments with our family, celebrate my Grandma's birthday, update you on the "Wake the Bear" challenge and a little extra challenge I've taken on, share on my "Monday Must-Haves" and confess on my "Not Me! Mondays" .

Until then I could tell you about...

the bane of my existence

...the way these eyes taunt me with the many grains of sand outside around them rather than inside of their tummy...

...the way this one tries to help clean-up the mess, 

without much success.

Or I could complain about how this one finds more interesting things to do with brooms then to use them to help clean-up...

...and how this one has the perfect frown.

I could explain to you the ins and outs of basketball...

...and correct form for the shot...

...follow through and focus...

...and always remembering to, above all, HAVE FUN!

I could wax philosophical about breaking gender stereotypes...

...the fashion forward-ness of wearing two different shoes...

or how my daughter thinks she is the bionic woman and loves to lift heavy things.

I could tell you how to love a dog...

...and make him love you back.

Then again, I could go over lawnmower repair...

and I could share about the value of teamwork...

and WHO wore underpants tonight for the first time...

...or I could just go to bed and leave you with a little giddy sunflare and dreams about future posts I may have time for tomorrow...

Buddy Ben

Today after his nap McGee was giving some love to the dogs, Callie and Ben. Callie typically shys away from the very forward affection of a toddler, but Ben is a bit more tolerant of the attention as he craves any attention he can get. I was sitting on the couch trying to nurse Miss Em (she has been VERY impatient lately and doesn't want to nurse unless the milk is right there and waiting - uh oh, I hope she doesn't become as impatient as her mommy). Ben was looking out one of the front side windows when McGee walks up to him, pats his head, hugs him and says, "Ben, you're my buddy." It was so sweet! Wish I could have gotten it on video. I truly adore the innocent, simplistic and all-encompassing love of a toddler.

PS - We gave Ben his name after "Gentle Ben" because when we took him out to the yard to get to know him at the animal shelter he would let us do anything to him. All he wanted was cuddles. He has proven to be the best cuddler ever for a dog and a great friend for McGee.

PPS - Just had to add this picture I took today, one of the rare times Callie seeks out attention and affection from McGee as she "kisses" his hand: