Asa's First Beach Trip - A Taste Of Sand

We were suppose to go camping this past weekend to shake off our Maggie blues but Miss Asa woke up with a really bad ear infection so no go for us.  So glad we opted to stay home as it wasn't fun for any of us!  Saturday we took the girls to a fun beach to get a little fresh air.  Dylan was off swimming (crazy girl that she is), Matt chasing after her, and Asa and I played in the sand.  It was hilarious to watch her discover what sand was.....

"Oh I'm feeling a little better, nice to be outside, look at me I'm sitting on a blanket like a big girl.  Oh a blue shovel, how fun."

"Oh wow, what's this stuff, interesting texture.  Maybe I'll use my shovel."

"Uh, who needs a shovel, my hands are faster.  This stuff sure feels funny and kind of good."

"I do like how it feels, very interesting."

 "Hey, wait a minute where did it go?  It was just in my hand a second ago!"

"Oh I'll just get some more.  Man look at my socks, and now my pants, this stuff is getting everywhere."

"I wonder how it tastes?  My Mom keeps telling me not to eat it so it must be really good.  I'll sneak a taste when she's not looking."

"Hmmmm, kind of crunchy, gritty...  Oh brother, now it's really all over my pants."

"Okay I'll try a little more when she's not looking.  'Hey Mom, look it's Dylan over there in the back ground.'"

"What? What you looking at?  Moi?  Come on I didn't do anything, just here playing with my blue shovel."

"Honest Mom, just me and my blue shovel here, nothing else to look at."

"Oh this black stuff streaming out of my mouth, oh that nothing (spit spit spit)."

"'Oh come on Mom, can't a girl have some fun.' Oh boy this stuff tastes horrible (more spit) don't tell my Mom!'

And you can only imagine what her diaper looked like later on!  But the girl was having fun and believe me we all needed a little fun!

Asa's Ear Ache

Poor little peanut, just not feeling so good.  You can totally tell as there usually is a big ol' smile where that little frown is.  Poor thing has a bad ear infection!

Dylan's Rainbow Carrots

Another year of Dylan's glorious rainbow carrots!  And please notice how nicely they have been styled as I was told "Mom you be the photo girl and I'll do what you do and make them look really good."

Saying Goodbye

I can barely see the screen through the tears in my eyes. Today we said goodbye to our dearest friend, Maggie. Oh the tears, laughs, and love that has been shared here at the Clark house. Saying goodbye is sooo hard to do and even more so, trying to explain to your child what happens when someone or something dies.

Maggie lived a good long life - she was almost 15 years old.  Over the last year we saw her slow down quite a bit.  She hung on to the end to make sure that we would all be okay.  Yesterday the girls and I walked up to the bakery and bought Maggie a loaf of bread (that dog loved her bread!).  Last night we had a beautiful family picnic at one of her favorite parks.  We all knew it in our hearts that it was the end.  We had been preparing Dylan as much as we could - as much as anyone could be prepared, heck I still wasn't prepared!  It was a long night and I think on some level the girls both knew as at 3am everyone was up!  Maggie died shortly after that on her own surrounded by lots and lots of love.  She was the best friend we could all have and she will be greatly missed!

The next morning when Dylan saw Maggie she said "I think Maggie might need some more bread."  Oh that girl - even in our saddest moment can still crack us all up!

Here's to Maggie - the best dog EVER!  We love you and may your days be filled with lots and lots of bread!  Take care old friend, you will always be in our hearts!

First Day Of Pre-K

Someone was soooo excited to be heading off to Pre-K today!!!!!  Who do you ask?  Why D-ray!  Dylan asked me the other day "Mom, after Pre-K I go to college right?  I want to go to college with Amy and Hannah (two good friends of ours)."  When asked if she will attend college in state or out she told me she was 'undecided'. 

Asa So Proud

I walked in to get Asa up from her nap to find her sitting up soooooo proud of herself!

Stylist In Training

Just helping Dylan get ready for her 'styling' career.  Next the Easy Bake Oven.