Joey's Wish List

Like any child who has figured out that birthdays mean cake, presents, parties, and people singing a song with your name in it, Joey has begun to talk about what is going to happen when he turns four.  He tells complete strangers that they can come to his "birf-day party," asks me if his party is today or next week, and reminds us that he is not going to be three anymore after his birthday.  I also think that Joey sees four years old as a big milestone.  And with good reason.  He knows that he will go to school when he is four.  He also knows that when he is four he (supposedly) won't sleep with his binkie anymore.  (After 3 unsuccessful attempts to ditch the damn thing this year, I've kind of given up hope....)

So along with the discussion of actually turning four, Joey has also started talking about what kind of present he wants for his birthday.  He is taking soccer lessons right now, so I said, "Do you want a soccer ball for your birthday?" His response, "No.  I already have a soccer ball."  He actually just has a little squishy-type soccer ball from the dollar store, but I guess that's good enough for him.  Then I thought about a bike.  Maybe at four he'll be ready for a bike this summer.  After leaving a playdate where Joey was very interested in his friend Will's bike, I said, "Do you want a bike for your birthday?"  Similar to his response about the soccer ball Joey said, "No.  I already have a bike in my house."  He actually has a little Radio Flyer scooter-type bike that he got for his first birthday.  But again, I was surprised and inspired by his simplistic way of thinking.

We live in a society where everyone always seems to want more of everything.  One of anything is just not enough.  We need bigger, more elaborate, more expensive, newer, more megabytes, whatever.  Everything is always on the "upgrade" list it seems.  I'm just as guilty of it as the next person, and in no way do I consider myself a minimalist.  However, I will cherish those sweet moments when my little boy tells me that one is enough.  If only I could keep him in this bubble and preserve that way of thinking forever.  Not likely, I know.  At least I'll remember that he wasn't always on the "bigger, better, more wagon" like the rest of America when he's asking me for a cell phone in the 3rd grade. 

Goodbye Daisy

Well, it's the end of the road for me as a dog owner.  For now.  Sadly, Daisy had become nothing but a nuisance or an afterthought who spent too much of her time in a kennel or secluded room when the kids were around.  On top of that, 22-month old Katelyn was determined to have her face chewed off by the poor dog.  Provoking her constantly, grabbing at her, and laying on top of her, I feel seriously lucky that Daisy didn't go over the edge, leaving me without a choice or decision to be made.  Not that it hadn't gotten close (too close, for my comfort) -Kate did get a hand warning when she grabbed Daisy while she was sleeping last month.  While trying to decide what to do, I spent 3 weeks separating and shielding the dog from my relentless toddler.

I feel fortunate to have found a couple that wanted to adopt my Daisy-doodle.  They have been wanting a Cockapoo for some time, and they seem to have the time and energy to really devote to the dog.  I've talked about this day for a long time, and a part of me did feel like I was giving up on my pup, but deep down I know that this is what is best for Daisy, Katelyn, and the rest of us.

Daisy is a little nervous-nelly, who barks incessantly, and is scared of her own shadow.  A house with 3 rambunctious children without an ounce of self-control is definitely not the place for her.  It wouldn't be fair to keep her simply because I couldn't deal with the emotions that come with giving her up.  So off she went.  Her nice new parents came to get her a few weeks ago, (along with a novel that I wrote them about all of her quirky traits), and they will (hopefully) live happily ever after.  In fact, we received a very sweet thank you note from them telling us that they had fallen in love with Daisy, and she was exactly what they were looking for.  Knowing that Daisy is getting the love and attention that she deserves really made all of my anxiety and sadness about the situation worth it.  It sounds so cliche, but I'm just happy she's happy.

Goodbye Daisy-doo.

Belated Winner Announcement

Well, better late than never I suppose... I just realized that I never completed this giveaway and selected a winner for the Kix Prize Pack.  Ugh.  I'm like the worst blogger ever these days.

Congratulations to comment #80, Gloria ("kngmckellar") who said, "follow network blogs-gloria m.#2." Thanks for following Gloria!  I've sent you an email, please get me your shipping info ASAP so you can get your long-awaited prize.