Randomness

 Callie made this fun mask out of paper mâché.  So of course she had to put it on.

And pose heroically!

Levi loves going for car rides! 

But he was not happy when I told him he was on his way to see the vet. 

Sometimes I find interesting things on my phone...... 

I have some of the cutest flannel ever!  Such adorable pirate fabric to make blankets with! 

And this little gem showed up, courtesy of my darling youngest!

Hanging out with the kids at Chili's for some yummy birthday dinner.

A Birthday Adventure

 For her birthday, Callie wanted to visit a Japanese Animal Shelter.  Fortunately, someone posted on a local FB page about one where volunteers were welcome.  I emailed them and got the okay.  It was a fair distance away, but worth it to make my little darling happy.

I was getting a wee bit nervous as we turned down this road after a 30 minute drive.  But the shelter was just around the curve at the end.  Lots and lots of dogs, and it is a no-kidding no-kill shelter.  Even the sick dogs, the unsafe dogs, the unadaptable dogs are housed there and not put down.

We got to take some dogs for walks.  I want to say everyone had a good time, but Delaney and Rylee did not expect to walk that far and it was hot.

Heat didn't bother Callie.  She had a blast with her little charges.

And then we visited the cats.  We had been teased that we could go inside and hang out and socialize with them, but it was feeding time and we could not.  Callie was bitterly disappointed, but managed to make friends anyway.

 And Rylee was happy to pet kitties.  It almost made up for the heat.  

Callie had a Birthday!

This kid is officially a Teenager now! (She is not thrilled about it, by the way.) 

She requested an ice cream cake, so I made her a tasty one.  

It was yummy and she liked it.

It was gobbled up quickly. Maybe because loot was next. 

Rylee makes me laugh. 

Callie was pleased with her gifts.  Good thing, because she had very very little on her wish list!  She did request a new watch and was pleased with it.

Happy with her cards from grandparents. 

It was a good birthday.

Smarty Pants

Callie has loved middle school this year.  Truly loved it. And I am really glad.  She ended the year with a bunch of fancy awards. That meant I had to sit through an assembly, but it was a good one.  And short.  Callie was super special and selected as student of the year by 4 teachers.  (Each teacher got to pick one kid from each class.) And she was recognized for her straight A's.  I will mention that she deserves it.  She works hard.  She is a great student who puts a lot of time and energy into her studying.  She earned her grades with work and effort and I am proud of her for that work.

 

Fun at the Dentist

 The dental office here will not schedule cleanings at the same time they do check ups.  This means a minimum of 12 dental visits for me.  One for me and each kid to get teeth checked, and one for each of us to get them cleaned.  And if there are any cavities..... well, that's more visits.  I have spent an awful lot of time at the dental office in the last 2 weeks!

Callie loathes the dentist.  But she cooperated nicely with the X ray tech.

She did not have a good time, but she made it though. 

Rylee and Delaney had a lot of shenanigans during their visits,  but they were great.  Rylee is getting her teeth cleaned here.

And this picture was in the window of our dentist's cubicle.  It was the best thing ever!  In case you were wondering, that is General Mattis (Highest head honcho Marine) as a catholic saint.