SUMMER

Because yesterday was the first day of summer, I thought I'd share with you our Summer without end.  It's hard to believe this girl is nine years old already.  She is friendly and kind, loves chocolate, karate, doing handstands, and does not have a mean bone in her body.  Except towards her sister, at times.  Then she does.  Haha.  She will be ten in December.  

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

We are sticking close to home, mostly.  Gracie is very needy these days.  My sister will be here to care for her for a couple of days in August so we can enjoy a few days and nights at the beach.

We are making the most of our time with our old girl.  A vet visit a couple weeks ago about put us in the poor house with tests for her but results were good. An Xray showed her heart to be in good shape and blood work all came back good.  

She has some dementia and trouble seeing and hearing.  But we work with her.

During our walk, my daughter taking a pic of her daughter, Summer.

ON A BUNNY HUNT

Baby Bunny, why are you out of your nest?  You know you could have been run over by the lawn mower?  You're lucky we found you.

I'm scared and tired, just let me rest here a while.

You must go back to your nest or the big dog will be about looking to catch you and find your squeaker.  And...  well, it could get ugly.

Okay.  Thank you for saving me.

Baby Bunny, you are growing...  but still, be careful.  I have tied the big dog up but you don't want to go near her.  She may not play nicely.

It's okay.  I'll just wait right here with my mama.  She will protect me.

Mama Bunny, where is your little one?  And, is there anything at all I can do to make your stay more comfortable?  Can I bring you a carrot or a celery stock?

Mama, that girl that saved me said there's a big, bad dog that lives here and it will catch me and extract my squeaker.

Don't worry my little bunny.  You have become way too fast for that dog.  She thinks she can, she thinks she can.  But.  She can't.

Cootie Catcher and Innocent Dog

Summer has moved up in karate.  She took an intro course to the next level and she passed, moving her on.  The kids were given a list of 'integrity tasks' they had to accomplish and those who checked all off on their lists were invited to a board-breaking special event at kick masters.  There, our petite little Summer did indeed break some boards.

She had her picture taken then, with Master Rando, and made him a special wall hanging with their picture on one of the board's that she broke, with a message of thanks from Summer, and presented it to him.  He loved it!

We had some real nice days last week and were able to enjoy walks with Gracie.

But then the cold came back.  I'm glad it's not so cold that our trees are not blooming.  They are looking lovely.

I hope everyone is staying well and virus free!!!  Have you ever seen anything like this before!?  Kinda scary.

Summer says,  No worries.  She was successful in creating a very well-made cootie catcher and I think it might work for viruses as well.  Fingers crossed.

Remember the rabbits from earlier this month and the baby bunny that our sweet, innocent dog threw from the nest?  Well, all bunnies from the nest died.  Sadly.  It wasn't Gracie tho,  we had her tied so she could not get to them.  I'm thinking it might have gotten too cold.

"I didn't do it!"

Summer

Thought you might could use a good dose of Summer right about now... 

Hang in there...  spring is next month!  

RECAP and WHEELS FOR GRACIE

Summer sped by so quickly, I barely saw it coming or going.  Autumn is in full swing here, though the temps have been very summer-like.  Tomorrow is supposed to cool, thankfully!

Some summer highlights:

Our little Jasper-Pie learned to ride a bike!

Rissi now wears glasses.  Sometimes.  Not always.  But doesn't she look beautiful?

Summer, who has been taking karate classes for the last couple of years, was one of two lucky "Little Dragon's" who had their name chosen to attend a seminar by Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.  Don't know who that is?  I didn't either.  

Here's some "Superfoot" trivia:   GO HERE to read about his life as Elvis Presley's bodyguard and personal trainer!    He had many accomplishments including A Force of One with Chuck Norris.  GO HERE if you are interested in finding out more.  

The opportunity to attend was awesome.  Summer's face says it all.  

 

Jake is killing it on the soccer field!  The boy has the moves and he sure can run!

Meanwhile, in NJ these two cuties (Grey and Si)  bless us through FaceTime video and pictures.  

It's been a good summer for us, and reflecting on it brings a smile.

 Dear Diary,

 Not such a great summer for myself, tho things are looking up now.   I hurt my knee pre-summer.  Yea.  Bummers-ville.  Six weeks later, we worked it through and I was good as new, jumping and running and well... you get the picture.  Dad and Mom went on vacation and I stayed and took care of my aunt Angie.  Yea.  It was great tho.  She spoiled me just a little.  Well. Okay, a lot.  Upon Mom and Dad's return, I was pretty excited,  So - I said to Dad, let's play!  And we did.  And I hurt my knee again.  I've never quite come back from that and I walk with a limp a lot.  I was jumping for a while but now I find it easier to just let Mom and Dad pick me up for bed or to put me on the couch.  Oh, and another thing.  I can't walk like I used to. I get tired.  It's depressing, this getting old thing.  Yea.  I turned 15 last month.  

Mom and Dad surprised me with my own wheels so we will see how that all goes.  So far, so good... but we haven't left the house yet.   

Keep your nose a smellin' the great smells of fall y'all and I'll keep ya informed as to how my new ride pans out.  Bye for now.  Gracie.

Wordless Wednesday

Forky

Cool theaters with heaps of junk food is where you want to be on hot summer days (when you're not in the pool of course).

If you have been to see Toy Story 4 you will understand the pictures of Forky.  If you haven't been...  well then, you will look at Forky and wonder...

The kids were delighted to participate in making their very own Forky.

I found this sign on the bathroom stall wall. Good ol' Dr. Seuss always knows the right things to say!

Jake shows off his Forky.

Marissa says, "Meet Forky".

Summer's Forky and Rissi's Forky seem to be getting along just fine.

We had to keep an eye on them.  They were looking for the trash.  *wink, wink*  Yea, you know what I'm talking about you Toy Story 4 people out there.

These grands are wild, crazy, amazing, and bums.  Yea, you heard me right.  They bummed all of my quarters off of me to get surprise toys in the above kid-magnet machines.  It was a fun day and a great way to kick off the start of summer.

Dear Diary,

Mom said, "Stop scratching your chin, stop biting your feet, stop licking the bed all night.  Gracie, you're bored!  You need a play date with Ellie!"  And so the annoying amazing Ellie came down to play and irritate me  smell my butt.  She peed and pooped in my yard and ate my food and drank my water and even tried to play with my toys.  Mom said, "maybe you need a walk, Gracie.  Maybe that's why you are bored." I was like - yea - I think you hit the nail on the head Mom!  And so we did the neighborhood walk.  Halfway through she's like, "Gracie you're tired."  And then she began pulling me down through the yard to go home.  I resisted and said, No...  the whole walk please!!  But she claimed to know best.  It was my limping that gave it away.  "Not ready yet," she said. Drag me, I said.  Just don't take me home yet.   So.  I got a half-a-walk and a visit with Thunderbolt Ellie and I didn't scratch or bite or lick quite as much last night.  I slept.  But today is a new day.  And ----  I'm bored.

Gracie.