So how is the new puppy on the block doing? Let's see he is 1/8th the size of my smallest other dog and the kids love to be around him. He has turned out to be very laid back and accepting of being picked up, pulled around, riding on scooter toys with a small child holding on to him, playing with the big dawgs, running through the snow (there is no sight equivalent to a wiener dog running/surfing through 8 inches of snow), and just all around excellent family dog.

Gracie with her toy (she is about 65 lbs)

or is it Junior with his toy? (he is about 8 lbs)

A boy and his puppy or a puppy and his boy?

Hanging with the cool kid

Burnout and play time. Two things that happen after Christmas. The kids are back in school but apparently bedtime is still skewed. I am hoping by the end of this week that they will be much more accepting of what I call a decent bedtime for school nights.

Nathan is involved in Leapster action (what we have that passes for video games at our house) but Sarita seems less involved.

Callista has found a way to enjoy Nathan's new toy. They both seem to get an inordinate amount of pleasure from pushing each other as fast as they can into the couch and walls.

Happy Birthday Callista! 12 years old. 3 kids down one to go. Callista scored big on the chinese dvd and cd front. I believe she spent the next 3 days and nights watching "smiling pasta" volumes one and two. I did hear music as well but I think I now have to admit that having her birthday during Christmas break might not be so bad.

However, we did discuss doing something two weeks prior or so next year. She discovered that most all of her friends were busy (meaning parents are burned out) just two days after christmas.

Football? Spongebob? Who knows - they are just so cute together.