Friday Flowers: Crocus

While Mom hasn't been posting it doesn't mean she hasn't been taking pictures. She captured these pics at the end of March and the beginning of April as the Crocus and these mini daffodils were coming out in the cold weather. The crocus actually were peaking out when we still had snow on the ground. We hunted these down and told Mom they were out.

Birthday Treats

Doggie bakery cookies have become a tradition in our house to celebrate special occasions. Annie is still getting used to the tradition. Katy knows that these cookies come on special days and will sit and wait for them to appear. Annie still has that wow what happened when they come out.

Annie has different tastes than the other two Shelties and we've struggled to find the right match in toys. She isn't much interested in balls or throwing toys. They seem to scare her a bit. Her favorite toy seems to be a trash bag or other bag being shaken out before being placed in a trash can. (Don't ask we have no idea why. She just enjoys attacking it.) We stumbled upon Nyla Bones as an option. However, Annie is particular about what kind. She loves the round ones, but won't even look at the ones shaped like bones. While looking for birthday toys I stumbled upon the teething rings and wondered how Annie would do with those. Let's just say one key is almost gone this morning. It clearly was a hit. Lucky for Annie, Katy has no interest in Nyla, so there is no competition for her toys. Katy will sniff them and then realizing they aren't "real" bones she wanders off.

Happy 3rd Birthday Annie

Katy here. Do to computer issues and Mom just not getting organized we've been away for a while. Mom is still working on getting all the new computer stuff worked out, but there was no way we weren't going to post a celebration of Annie's first birthday with us.

Annie's nickname is Little Bit as she is the smallest of all the three Shelties who have lived with Mom and Dad and she will answer to her name and her nick name. I prefer my Princess Katy title. I wasn't sure what having another girl in the house was going to be like, but Annie has grown on me. She's a great snuggler and she doesn't steal my toys. It has been helpful having someone else to watch over Mom and Dad. She can even tolerate sleepig in bed with them. That's something neither Bailey or I could ever do.

We have many more stories to share. Mom is still working out her challenges with loading pictures to the computer, but she's getting there.

Happy Birthday Annie. Don't be surprised if Mom goes over the top a bit. Birthdays are a big deal for her.

Merry Christmas

We wish all of our Blogvile friends a merry, happy, healthy, and safe Christmas. Hope Santa was good to all of you.

Christmas Card Wreath

Our first wreath is filled and our second wreath is filling up. We don't have a card count, but Mom and Dad have had a slight increase in cards this year. Clearly Blogville has them beat, but Mom is pleased her card count is up as well.

This is one of Mom's favorite Christmas decorations every year. It is familiar but different every year based on what people send. It also makes her smile as she looks at it during the season.

Santa, I'm Sorry

Ernie I really need your help. Mom says eating her snow boots has me on Santa's naughty list. I need a lawyer to get me off. Leather L.L. Bean boot tops/bully sticks it really is hard to tell the difference. We met Santa and he seems like such a nice guy. I just can't risk being on his bad list. I really need your help Ernie. I know you can win this case.

Annie and Thomas the Tank Engine

Katy here. Recently Annie had her first experience playing with Thomas the Tank Engine. I had to explain to her why small humans are so fascinated with these big wooden tracks and the little trains that travel on them. I also had to explain it is a banning offense to try to chew on the tracks and thankfully she didn't even attempt to use any of the tracks as chew toys or she'd have been banned from Thomas time for life.

After you've overcome not chewing on the wood, the next step is to realize your only job is the safety of your kid. The trains must fend for themselves. You are not to panic if Thomas and Percy have a crash up. This is not a Sheltie problem to resolve. They've survived far worse and likely will continue to pursue even more amazing crash ups in the future. While you may find this disturbing you should not attempt to stop this behavior. Percy and Thomas are built to handle this kind of behavior. Interference is also a banning offense.

Lastly you may be tempted to try using your nose to move the trains yourself. This is handled on a case by case basis. Sometimes little humans are cool with this. Other times this could result in a Sheltie time out.

While I am now a master of Thomas play, Annie did well on her first outing. She did not interfere with any play and showed appropriate interest in the boy's toys without any negative interactions. She will be welcomed back for another session of Thomas play.