Molly

I made a terribly hard decision today and had our dog Molly put down. It was something I had been considering for a long time, but I finally reached a point where it seemed kinder to put her to sleep than to watch what her future held. She was having some bladder/bowel issues and I just couldn't deal with the messes any more. The vet wanted to medicate her, but he admitted it would only work for a while and then it would get much worse. Basically the decision was mine to make, and Brent said he would support my choice. I already am making small adjustments in my daily routine just because she's not around. It feels very foreign to go to bed without putting her outside to take care of her business first. There was no dog to eat the scraps from our dinner plates tonight. Gracie said she misses Molly because she loved the sound her collar made when her tags would jingle against it. Ella was with me at the vet's office today and she saw me crying. She said, "What happen?" I told her that Molly had to go to sleep and I was sad. Her response was, "Don't be sad, Mommy." Molly was with us over 11 years which is pretty good for a dog who was dumped as a pup. She was our "child" for many years, but then she was replaced by the real deals. She was fiercely protective of us and I will miss the safety that brought, especially when Brent was gone.

(I have much nicer pictures of Molly, but this was the last one I took of her. It was Gracie's birthday and she had just woken up and was hugging Molly. They both look kind of sad which feels appropriate for this post.)

Feeling Perkier

It's day two of Ella's broken arm and she is doing great. We went to church today like normal and she had no problems at all. She slept through the night and took a normal nap today. Yea!!! The biggest problem is finding clothes that will fit over her cast, so she is having fashion issues at the moment. We don't always match too well!

Big sis has been very compassionate and helpful with Ella!

Ella's Broken Arm

Gracie is a Girl Scout, and now that her cookies are here, we have been very busy delivering them. We went to Moberly today to deliver to family members that had ordered. We were at my cousin Dawn's house and Ella headed down the stairs. She stopped a few stairs from the bottom and turned around and looked up the stairs. When she turned back around she just started walking like she was at the bottom already. Well, it was a nasty tumble but after I helped her up she said, "Kiss it," so I kissed the arm she held up and we went on with our business. Ella hadn't had a nap yet and it was well past her naptime, so when she was extra fussy we assumed it was just from a lack of sleep. She fell asleep in the van shortly after the incident and woke up hours later at home. She was fussy, clingy, wouldn't eat and didn't want me to mess with her arm. I finally forced her to let me take her long sleeved shirt off and I saw the bow in her arm for the first time. Brent was on the phone at the time so I started shooting him looks like, "Something is really wrong here." He finally got off the phone, took one look at her arm and announced that we needed to get to the ER. Everyone was very kind and tried to be as patient as possible with the uncooperative 2 year old. The x-ray was the hardest part of the evening since I had to put her down on the table and hold her arm down by kind of pinning her. After we determined she definitely broke the arm, the doctor put a temporary cast on until we could see an orthopedic doctor.
Ella is a little doped up in this picture so she wasn't exactly happy, but she also wasn't clinging to me anymore, so that was a good sign.

Back in the groove - Ella wanted to color on the easel immediately after we got home. Maybe she will turn into a leftie like Gracie.

Attempting to eat her supper one handed was a challenge, but Ella was hungry enough to give it her best try.

That face is so pitiful! We felt like terrible parents since we waited so long to consider the fact that her arm could be broken. I imagine we won't be so quick to dismiss the cries of our children in the future.

An EarlyMorning Tea Party

The girls woke up early this morning and wanted to have a pajama tea party. They spread a blanket and got to work setting up Ella's toy tea set. Gracie broke out her best manners and was asking Ella things like, "Would you please pass the sugar, Dear."

Since it's Ella's tea set she really likes to be in charge of pouring the tea. Frequently a cup will tip over and she always says, "Oops. I made a mess." Keep in mind that they have no real tea...it's all pretend play.

These moments when they play together so nicely are wonderful. They also feel kind of rare some days. It's definitely time for spring to get here so that we can start playing outside again.

A Missing Tooth

Today Gracie lost her first tooth. She was at home when it happened, which I was grateful for. I wasn't sure if she would panic at all, but Brent said she did great.

She immediately got her tooth fairy book out and put her tooth in the pillow that came with the book. In the book, the tooth fairy brings a gold coin and puts it under the child's pillow. It's a funny coincidence, but the tooth fairy brought Gracie a gold dollar.

Happy 6th Birthday, Gracie

Today is Gracie's birthday party with her friends. We played a few games to get them warmed up to each other since some of the girls were from school, some were from church and one was from our neighborhood. This picture shows the finished result of one teams Pin-the-face-on-the-smiley-face?!
The second team did a pretty good job too, considering they were 4-6 year olds who were blindfolded!

Gracie wanted balloon cupcakes like what Ella had last weekend.

Gracie covered her mouth and nose while we were singing because she accidentally laughed and her candles went out!

There was a lot of girliness in this room!!!

Laycee, Gentry and Paige

The 11 pretty princesses!

Mati, Gracie, Madison and Savannah

Megan and Sarah

Shelby and Mati

I failed to get a group picture before 2 of the princesses had to leave, but this shows 9 of the girls. They were so cute! Our house may never be the same again, but they had a really fun time.

Gracie's Valentine's Day Party At School

Gracie and I have been working diligently on her Valentine Box for her school party today. She was very excited to take her "fish tank" to school for everyone to see.

The saran wrap on the sides didn't hold up all day at school with the kids touching it and being curious, but it looked good this morning when she first left the house.

I was in charge of organizing the party, but lots of moms helped. Gracie was excited to have her Mommy there, and it was her day to wear the birthday crown since her birthday is tomorrow.

One of Gracie's friends was using the fish net to try and lower her Valentine into the box.

After Gracie got home from school and was showing me all of her goodies I noticed a small heart shaped box of chocolates. She was quick to tell me that Matthew from her class had given it to her and she was the only one to get a box of chocolates. A few minutes later I saw a bag of candy that one of the clubs was selling as a fundraiser. I asked her who sent it to her and she said Matthew did. He had to pay money to send her a bag of candy and also bought her a box of chocolates. I'm pretty sure Brent still has Matthew in detention!!!