London eats everything!

 We knew when we got London, it was going to be a lot of work. And some days are much harder than others.  Last week, while I was staining the playground. London was outside with him tied to a tree.  We didn't think there was anything he could get into.  Well he got into our rock garden.  I knew he had something in his mouth.  When I got closer to him, he swallowed it.  It could have been a rock, sticks, chalk, leaves, who knows.  But it was big.  He vomited afterwards and ate grass like crazy.  We also induced vomiting to try and get it back up.  I never saw a large object.  

That week, London had diarrhea and kept me up a lot at night going to the bathroom.  Luckily he is potty trained and doesn't go in the the house (unless Brian is too slow finding his shoes then he does).  Towards the end of the week, London had a fever and was lethargic.  I took him to the vet on Saturday.  He was given antibiotics and probiotics.  The same prescription a few weeks ago.  Sure enough, it cleared it up.  He started feeling better.  

Also this week, London ate Austin's math homework.  Austin was devastated.  He completely freaked out and thought there was no way he could go back to school the next day.  Finally Austin realized there are much bigger problems in the world than London eating his math homework.   Homework is not allowed to be let on the floor.  Sydney was playing with London when it happened but London got away quickly.  

School and sports have kept the kids very busy!  They have about an hour of homework each night.  Especially Austin, it takes him longer to get his stuff done.  It doesn't help he doesn't stay focused most of the time.  This lack of focus developed since COVID.  He was much better focused in the spring.  

Austin has done amazing with cross country.  He loves it!  And he's fast.  He is running 7:10 mile splits.  I can't run that fast.  I am so glad he tried cross county this year.  

Sydney has been busy with cheer and soccer.  She now likes soccer better than cheer.  She has sports most nights during the week.  That is overwhelming her a little bit.  She is going to try out for a travel basketball team this winter.  There are not enough girls to do basketball at her school.  We will see what happens.  

Getting back into the school routine

 Austin and Sydney have been back to school for three weeks now.  It has been a little bit of an adjustment.  We are very fortune that our school offers in person five days a week.  We feel the kids really need to get back to school. We did okay in the spring with online learning but they do best in the classroom.  

Austin is back to getting up extra early (including on the weekends when he could be sleeping in).  He also likes it when I bring London up to his room to get him up.  London sleeps in his pen so he's not allowed in the bedrooms at night.  The kids like packing up their stuff for school in the morning.  I find it a lot annoying and rushed but it seems to work for them.  They each have a chromebook that needs charged daily.  

The homework is real.  It's back to real school with real work.  I was kind of thinking we would be eased into it but it's back to a lot of work.  I am not complaining.  I think it's great.  It's just we went from 0-60 very fast!  

Austin is loving cross county.  He practices three nights a week.  He had his first meet last weekend.  He did great!  He had to run 1.5 miles.  I was super proud of him.  I know I can't run that much so fast.  

Sydney has been cheering at football games.  She will also start soccer games this weekend.  She loves both of them.  She's is very busy but loving it.  She continues to do piano.  

Brian celebrated a big birthday this week.   With everything going on with school, we didn't get to celebrate much.  Austin made him a slideshow and Sydney made him a card.  We had cupcakes after practice.  And his gift was solar panel delivery.  Brian is excited to put solar panals on our roof.  I am not nearly as excited as I know how much work it will be.  But I was happy to see him excited for his delivery.  

London is almost 4 months old and weighs 27 pounds.  He's going to be a big dog.  Overall he's not too bad.  He still needs a lot of work though.  He likes to jump up especially to get stuff on the table.  He ware working on his walking around the block.  And he still likes to bit the kids when playing.  He continues to go to puppy class once a week.  

First Day of School

 Well here we are are.  The first day of school after being out for almost 6 months.  Yes in the spring we did virtual school but it was not the same.  Austin and Sydney were so excited to go to school.  They were ready.  

Sydney set her alarm clock to get herself up.  Austin got woke up by me placing London in his bed.  They had their normal breakfast. Austin had oatmeal with a hot chocolate and Sydney had bread with chocolate.  They got ready fairly quickly.  Then it was time for first day of school pictures.  The kids said it's the least favorite part of their day.  However this year it went well because London got to be in the pictures.  

Brian and I took them to school.  We walked them towards the school.  They were happy and ready to go.  We picked them up after school.  They played for a little bit with their friends.  We stopped at the library for Austin to get a book.  Sydney wasn't too happy about that.  Then we came home.  Sydney had piano and cheer that evening.  

It was a good first week of school but the kids were tired.  They are still not going to bed as early as they should.  Plus getting back into the routine is hard.  Sports are keeping them busy too.  

We know that covid is still out there but it's nice to have a little sense of normal.  We are all okay with wearing masks.  Austin even said it's not that bad to have to wear one all day at school.  Kids are amazing!  

Sydney's 8th birthday

 

With COVID, Sydney couldn't have a normal birthday party.   We decided she could invite 2 friends over to swim for her birthday.  We had Chick Fil A and Costco rainbow cake.  The girls had a great time.  

We ended up celebrating her birthday with several people thoughout the week.  On Monday, we went to down to Meewaw's and had cupcakes with her.  

On Tuesday, we kayaked the Cuyahoga River as a family.  We all liked kayaking better than tubing the river.  

Wednesday was Sydney's birthday.  We got yard signs that said Happy Birthday.  Sydney requested that since it's become really popular with covid.  She was excited to see that.  

I made pancakes for breakfast.  Sydney ate outside with the neighbors.   The neighbors got her a gift.  We were going to do the bounce house and pool however the weather didn't cooperate.  They just played outside.  That evening Sydney went to cheer on her birthday.  She loves it that much!  I brought Popsicles afterwards for the girls to enjoy.  

On Friday evening we ended her birthday celebration with our close friends.  They came over and the kids played and we celebrated Sydney's 8th birthday.  Even though it wasn't a normal birthday, it was fun for her to celebrate throughout the week.  

August Summer Fun

 

It's already August.  Where has the summer gone?!  London has kept us all busy.  Honestly it's a nice distraction from all the covid news.  We have been working on potty training and puppy manners.  He would have a accident once every few days.  All and all he did a pretty good job with potty training.  He had is pen attached to his crate where he sleeps and stays while we are away.  He does a good job with that too.  

Sydney had her first communion in August.  It was a a few months delayed due to covid but at least she got to do it with her best friend, Dana.  It was a beautiful day and Brian got some great pictures.  Afterwards my mom came up and had Chick Fil A with us.  That is what Sydney wanted.  

Sydney also started cheerleading.  She practices twice a week for 2 hours each practice.  She loves it.  She enjoys doing tumbling and learning the cheers.  

Austin started cross county.  He is also loving it.  The first practice he ran 3 miles and then next day he ran 4 miles.  He did a great job.  He was a little sore the next day.  Brian got him a music player with ear pods.  He enjoys running listening to music.  

The school class lists came out.   Unfortunately Austin wasn't in class with his best friend.  However Sydney was.  Sydney didn't get the same teacher as Austin.  That was a shock to us.  We liked Austin's teacher last year. And every year until now she always had the same teacher.  Sydney got a new teacher to the school.    We are hoping for a good school year.  We have decided to send them to school full time instead of virtual.  We believe they need their friends and teachers.  We are hoping for a good year.  The must wear masks all the time.  They don't seem to mind.  

Sydney went to the doctor for her yearly check up.  She was in the 50th percentile for height and weight.  The flu shot was also available.  She decided she wanted to get it then because she didn't want to get it with Austin.  Austin doesn't handle the flu shot while.  Sydney doesn't cry or anything.  

London and Auntie Melissa Visit

We went and picked up London on July 18th.  The kids were so excited to get him.  Melissa, Camden and Graham went with us to pick him up.  I was so nervous.  I was imaging worst case scenario.  We were going to get a sick dog.  The dog wouldn't really be there.  All crazy things.  Plus I was wondering what in the world were Brian and I thinking to agree to a dog. That morning I couldn't wait to get him and hoped everything would be okay. 

When we got there another family were getting their dog.  We waited in the car until they were finished.  We wanted to follow all the social distancing rules.  We got to meet the mom dog while we waited.  We rubbed her fur with a blanket we brought. 

Then it was time to get London (formally Scout).  London was happy and walking all around.  He even let the kids that previously owned him hold him in sitting up postition.  It was cute.  Austin and Sydney both wanted to hold him on the way home. We let Austin hold him first.  He was so happy.  However during the car ride home, London puked a little bit.  We stopped for a bathroom break.  London even went outside.  Then Sydney held him the rest of the way home.  London also puked on Sydney.  We hope he usually doesn't get car sick. 

When we got home, we stayed outside with London in the front year.  We wanted to slowly introduce him to everything.  With Scarlett at our house and 4 kids, a lot was going on.  While Brian and Austin were outside, Melissa and I put the playpen together to his crate.  Finally we let London in the house.  We took him right to his playpen and crate area.  He adjusted much better than I expected. 

We hung out all day at home with him.  He slept a lot. I didn't realize how much puppies slept.  The kids played with London.  They also played with each on iPads and in the pool. 

During the visit with Melissa, Camden, and Graham we went to several parks.  We rafted down the Cuyahoga River.  We went to waterfall area in Solon.  Melissa took the kids Geocaching a lot.  She also got them donuts.  We hung out a lot at home adjusting to life of having a dog. 

So far, we are all happy we got London.  He has had a few accidents.  However having his crate and playpen has been very helpful.  Brian stays up until 1:30am with him each night.  London sleeps but goes outside before he goes to bed.  Then I go downstairs at 1:30am to sleep on the couch.  London gets up between 5-6am.  Our system is working. 

Austin and Sydney have been doing a lot for London. Austin likes to fed him. Sydney likes to hold him.  London stays with us in the yard so far. Brian is looking into fencing options.

Sydney is finishing up softball.  She has really enjoyed it. London likes coming to the games too!

Dog?!

Austin read the book Henry Huggins.  In the book, the boy gets a dog. When we were in Myrtle Beach, Melissa had just gotten a dog.  Austin enjoyed playing with him.  That got us thinking a bit about a dog.  Brian has always grown up with dogs. He fondly remembers his childhood with a dog.  Brian and I enjoyed having Sam together. 

Before covid, we were not home much.  We enjoyed traveling.  A dog never really crossed our minds. However since we have been home since March, getting a dog doesn't seem like that bad of an idea.  So if we are going to get a dog, now would be the time. We are not going to get a dog two years from now.  I normally work from home.  So even when things pick up, I will still be home with the dog all day.  When we have sports in the evening, it won't be so bad leaving the dog. 

Austin convinced Sydney about the dog.  Sydney just wanted a pet.  I think she feels bad at school, when she doesn't have a pet and most other kids do. Now with Sydney on his side, he had to convince us to get him a dog.  I was fine either way.  Part of me wanted a dog and the other part knew we were crazy.  Brian the practical one was more difficult to convince.  But since he had dogs as a child, it knew what the important bond it was.

I started reaching out to rescue agencies about certain dogs.  I realized it's not that easy to get a dog.  I understand but I do believe we would take very good care of a dog.  But we don't have a fenced in yard.  We are not established pet owners.  And we have children.  So no one would looked at us to get a dog.  Next I went looking for a breeder. Brian and I decided we either wanted a labador retreiver or a golden retriever. The more I thought about it the more I realized I wanted a golden retreiver.  I found a local breeder that had a dog coming available in a few weeks.

We decided to go and look at the dogs. We wanted to see if this would really work for us.  Before we did that though I did my homework.  I found kennels and doggie daycare for when we are away.  I looked into pet training options.  I found a vet. Brian and I discussed the time and cost factor of having a dog.  We decided we thought it was worth it for the kids. 

When we picked out the dog, we got the dog that was the most interactive with us.  The kids want a dog to play with.  We are an active family.  And this dog was just the cutest little thing ever!  On the car ride home, we all decided to get the dog. Austin and Sydney were so excited. They were singing a song and everything.  We called Auntie Melissa who was also so excited. 

Before we picked out the dog, Austin came up with the perfect name, London.  It fits with our travel themed names for kids.  We are all very excited about London!