Mama's gotta take pictures!

Ooh - bad fur-mama. They have been doing some very cute and funny things lately but I keep forgetting to get the camera!

The boy and Maggie had a talk fest the other night that was absolutely hysterical. Conor would say something and Maggie would intently answer. This went on for a good 10 minutes until we were laughing so hard we could not breath.

Gosh that felt good - thanks Maggie!

Maggie had lost a lot of weight recently and we were worried but a trip to the vet, steroids and antibiotics seemed to do the trick. She is now back to her talkative self, even if we don't know what caused this.

Next post, pictures, I promise!

Husband Guidance

Feeling rather hormonal today...thought I would help out the husband.

 

 

Blah

Life has so many twists and turns and while this blog will stay dedicated to our animals, we have had some very unexpected news. Conor has been diagnosed with CMT1A (well they suspect A but it won't be confirmed for several more weeks), which is a form of muscular dystrophy. Blah. There are some tranistions that we will help him make since he has lost so much function in his hands but nothing we can't get through. Blah. He is handling this well and is mostly concerned with the loss of his hand fuction - I don't think he has really absorbed what is going on with his legs yet. Blah. He will be 14 in a couple of months. Yeah!

I have converted my other blog to private since I need a place to privately rant and to keep track of the research and Conor's progress. I so admire the people who can hang it out there - I am not one of them. So this will continue to be the animal adventure spot. Just don't be surprised if you see braces on the boy.

This is a different path of the same life. I love that kid so much and am thankful for the wonderful things we do have.

Did I say "Blah"?

Tails but no Black Tie

Kind of horsey related but focusing on my cousin's little boy. A is 19 months old and a happy, beautiful boy. Kind of like my little E - I wish I had pictures of them together. My cousin, as much as he tried to avoid it, has found himself a single father. A is with him all the time and I am so proud at how my cousin has stepped up to the plate. He adores that little boy. My cousin and I are more like brother and sister so I feel especially close to his son.

We took him to a fund raiser for City Park, Tails But No Black Tie, that a fun Grand Prix Competition. My aunt jumped but we missed it because her start time was after 8:30 pm.


Goofing around - should we leave the house today?



What ARE those big things? Dada says trust Cousin Dawnie but I am not sure.

 

Hmmm, I think I will just look right now.



Really? More pictures? I want to watch the horsies.

Look at them jump!

Yes, a good day. I love Dada!

Hug your kids, hug your horses, hug all the fur babies that make your day!

E in New Orleans

My cousin's precious, newly minted 3 year old! It is funny, my cousin is 10 years younger than me and her daughter is 10 years younger than my son. Things work out nicely.

 

The two cousins! Conor on the left, E in the center. 

 

Lunch happily sitting with Dad! The pigtails did not last long.

 

Beautiful Mom holding beautiful E.

 

What is that?  

 

Hello there!

 

Cousins (neither likes to pose - can you tell?)

 

Here I am!

 

Touched it :)

 

Ooooh! Now it is talking to me.  

 

My big bug!

 

Chillin' with the coy.

 

 

 

And that, my friends, was a lovely day. 

Bird in an airport!

We just got back from Colorado. Holy cow do I miss mountains! So what does bird in an airport have to do with that trip? Conor and I were waiting for our plane in the Denver airport and the cutest little sparrow suddenly swooped down and sat across from us. Conor and I watched it and it begged for food. It then calmly preened itself and looked happy. I realized that NO ONE was paying attention! Finally, a 3 year old saw it, squawked happily to him mother, who ignored him. It finally flew off and passed within a couple of feet of a man's head, who did not notice it.

It is kind of sad that in this busy world no one would enjoy a bird in an airport. Well, we did.

Picture time!

The three amigos. We have been friends for 40 years! I am in the middle, they were kind to crouch down a bit, I am 5'1", they are 5'11" and 6'. 

Here we are with our boys. Three are 13 years old and one is 11 years old.  

Photo bomb! 

 Conor in the snow! He is still in his air cast but managed well.  

More to come. I am off to see my cousin and her precious 3 year old! 

Moon Phases

Conor came up with a really cool idea for his science project on the phases on the moon. A 3D model where the moon spins around the earth and the sun really lights up. I wish my picture taking skills were better but here it is a dark room:

He took 2 battery operated push lights that we got at Walmart (they were on sale, $4 for 2 including the batteries!), spray painted them yellow, created a moving lever so the moon could circle the earth and put the moon phases below it. It looks so much better in person but I am proud of all the time he put into this. It was supposed to be geared for a 3rd grader that he is supposed to demo it for so this is simple and elegant. Total cost of the project: $12. Gotta love the boy!

How does this relate to animals? Try keeping 4 cats away from it! I had pieces of it drying in the oven, the pantry, etc. I am glad we decided to make it in pieces for transportation and hiding purposes.

Happy week-end everyone! And don't forget to hug your horse (imaginary or real)!