A Perfect Fit ~ Miss Macie

Miss Macie. Macie May. Wittle Wittle. Whatever name she may be called, I absolutely completely love this little girl. The whole family loves her and she loves us back. She is sweet, beautiful and a bit sassy to boot.


Macie has been a part of our family since the end of April. She is a 3 year old Min Pin that already has a forever place in my heart. Can you believe we found her on craigslist for mere pocket change? The saying that one's person junk is another's treasure, certainly applies here. We are at least her 3rd family and I wouldn't give her up for anything. I fell in love with her instantly. I shamelessly carry her everywhere, I wrap her in blankets, giving her her own chair next to mine when I am on the computer and do the annoying baby talk (along with massive amounts of kisses). She is my babygirl.


Yet, I am not the only one in this house she has wrapped around her tiny paws... John, the guy who doesn't really like dogs (after all he is terribly allergic to most), may even be more smitten than I. To see a 6' 5" guy do baby talk and make sure she has her share of  blanket during naptime, is quite a sight. Something I never thought I would ever see. 


So, meet our precious girl. You will be seeing a lot of her in the future. 

I linked up with Photo Friday's Challenge: Dog

Pug Faces ~ Thursday Photo Challenge

Poor Dexter. No matter what this pug is doing, he always has a "face". He either looks grumpy, sad or just plain goofy. He makes our family laugh on a daily basis. He also snores as loud as a full grown man and would sell his pug soul for a hot dog. I've tried to claim him as my dog but John says I have to share. 


I linked up with Spun with Tears, Thursday Photo Challenge: Silly.

Mini Egg Nests ~ Kid's Snack

Hello friends! Sorry I haven't blogged in so long. It it Spencer's Spring Break this week and I have been enjoying the extra time we have together. 


I made these for Spencer's class before the break. I am such a sucker for cuteness. Plus these are fun and easy to make. While not the healthiest of snacks, they aren't packed with tons of sugar either. The kids can help too!


Ingredients:
1 10 oz. package of marshmallows (I used strawberry flavored)
1/4 cup of butter
8-9 cups of Crispix cereal
1 package of mini eggs (I used Whopper eggs)


Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add marshmallows, stirring as you add them. Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted and creamy. Remove from heat. Add cereal and immediately stir to coat completely.


Line standard size muffin tin with cupcake liners. Scoop marshmallow mixture into each cup and mold cereal to the sides, leaving an indentation in the middle. Place 3 mini eggs in the middle of each cup (while the centers are still warm). As the mixture cools, the eggs will stick to them to stay in place.


Store in tightly sealed container at room temperature.

Edible Koi Ponds ~ Fun Snack for Kids

Good morning! Spencer's special needs class had a Chinese New Year's lunch at school this year. For the life of me, I couldn't come up with an idea on what to send and I had to send something. His teachers always do such fun things to interact the kids and anytime I can be a part of that, I am. Being that they are special needs kids of all ages, I wanted something visually fun for them, plus somewhat healthy. I can be so cheesy at times and this is one of those times. I mean come on, rice cakes, Chinese New Year? 


Spencer's teacher said the class loved them and there were no leftovers. Yay!


Super easy and the kids can make their own too.


Ingredients:
4 rice cakes (your choice of flavor)
1/4 cup whipped cream cheese (I used strawberry flavored)
blue food coloring
Goldfish


Put whipped cream cheese into a small bowl and add the blue food coloring a little at a time until you get the desired color for your water. Mix well after each addition before adding more.


Spread 1 TBLS. of cream cheese on each rice cake.


Top with goldfish. 


I think these are so cute!

Photo Friday ~ Unwind

Nothing makes me happier than when I see Spencer enjoying life. When he can take time to slow down and be content. His brain is often so busy; he is so easily overwhelmed. Days like this where I see him taking in his surroundings, or just enjoying the beauty God gave us, are days dear to my heart. 

I linked up with Photo Friday Challenge ~ Unwind

Photo Challenge ~ Love

My sweet Spencer wearing his Valentine headband he made in school. The two upside down hearts in the middle, yep, that's my boy!


I linked up with Spun With Tears, Thursday Photo Challenge: Love.

Photo Friday ~ Handsome Pug

Dexter ~ a.k.a., Al Pugcino~ 

One of the rare moments that Dexter is sitting still.

I linked up with Photo Friday's challenge, Handsome.

And Then There Were Five ~ Meet Remington

It's no secret that I am a dog lover. Some of my best friends in life have been dogs. To me, a dog is not just a pet, they are a part of my family, a companion and a loyal friend. My very first puppy as a young adult, a Rottweiler named Thor, has long since gone to doggy heaven, yet I still think of him fondly and miss him often. 

In mid December, I walked into work and saw this face, this sweet adorable face. I don't know if it was the beautiful big brown eyes, the oversized floppy ears or the massive amount of "polka dots" that got me. I still don't know but what I do know is that I was smitten immediately. A local shelter had set up for the day with loads of puppies and kitties. A pen of the cutest Australian Shepherd puppies had the place already filled with admirers but I saw none of them, just this boy...

"Zach" is a 7 month old Coonhound. He was much larger than the other dogs and wasn't getting much attention. Isn't it funny how we all have our preferences and ideals so different from one another? 

I walked past him into work and as the morning went on, I visited him and asked questions wondering what the heck I was thinking? I called John, sent him pictures from my phone, dragged my co-workers out to meet him and asked the shelter what I needed to do to take him home. I could barely concentrate! Then they told me that Zach had others interested in adopting him. Was I serious about him, did I want to start the paperwork (they could obviously see how taken I was with him)? After some minor begging, John gave in and said if I really wanted him, we could bring him home. But. He was my dog. 

So, meet Remington. We renamed him and call him Remy. He is so sweet and so very naughty. The naughtiest dog I have ever known. He is young though and is learning quickly and I adore him so much. He is wonderful with Spencer and Dexter and him play and fight over food. 


I am not only happy to have a new friend, but also feel wonderful adopting him. I couldn't imagine him one more night in that shelter with no forever home. He needed a family, our family. 


So, say hello to my polka dotted puppy, who is eating all of my house and thinks he is a lap dog. He fits right in with our crazy life!

I linked up with Spun with Tears photo challenge "Toys". 

Pug Expressions

 If you have ever known a pug, they have the cutest, funniest facial expressions ever. Dexter is a continual source of comic relief for us. For such a tiny dude (under 10 lbs.), his appetite is pretty fierce. He spends his days sleeping (and snoring) and waiting for food. Ah, what a life!

Did someone say bacon?

I'll be the best pug ever? Bacon?

I don't think they have any bacon...

Happy Thanksgiving, My Friends!

Hello! I have been staying away from the recipes this week as I think many of us are focusing on our Thanksgiving meals and the last thing we need to look at is another recipe for pumpkin. I will be posting them in full force at the end of the week again with Christmas in mind too. 

Wishing all of you who celebrate, a wonderful Thanksgiving full of laughter and great food! I leave you with Dexter. I think he has been getting into the leftover Halloween candy. He is such a spaz. His lip is malfunctioning and are those crumbs on his whiskers? He will gladly come help clean up any leftovers. 

Be safe and have fun!

The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor. ~Margo Kaufman

Happy Halloween

 We love Halloween at our house. We usually decorate the whole house with spooky fun decorations and I make themed food as often as I can get away with it. 


I don't dwell on what some people belief's of what Halloween in the philosophical sense may mean and it's impact on religion. For me it is about the fun, the dressing up and the spookiness behind it. The way communities come together to help our children have a fun filled, safe night to dress up as their favorite characters and eat as much candy as they want! I don't let all the other nonsense affect me or take the fun out of it.  While I do respect people who don't participate in Halloween, I don't understand their stance in holding on to long ago dissipated, mostly forgotten evils.  


I do belief in the creepy, scary and whole ghoulishness behind it though. When I am searching for ideas for a costume I have to laugh at all the nasty tacky costumes out there for woman. I can't imagine dressing up as a Hooter's server or a vampire in a tight mini with sparkles. That's not Halloween, that's vanity and lack of imagination. Face paint is a favorite of mine and my sister and I have come up with some really fantastic "faces" over the years. One year we dressed as witches, think The Wizard of Oz, to hand out candy and no one recognized us! That's Halloween to me.

Spencer's pumpkin this year. Didn't he do great? I love it!

Spencer brought this home from school. Haven't heard this one before. Kind of gross!

Here are a couple of Spencer's past costumes. A ninja and a pirate. I haven't gotten him a costume the last few years as he doesn't understand it at all and it is stressful for him. I can't see forcing him to do something that I want even if he is as cute as can be! This is one of the few times that I wish his special needs allowed him more comprehension. I honestly don't want to change him but I would love to have him willingly participate and have fun with it. It would be so wonderful to have him excited to pick out a costume and want to go trick or treating. Oh well, guess I'll have to dress the pug up instead. He'll do anything for a hotdog!

Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, share some of your traditions or stories with me. I would love to hear them.


Happy Halloween from our house to yours!

Wordless Wednesday ~ I Sure Do Love This Boy

My Spencer. So innocent yet at the age of 9. His smiles and laughter make my world a much brighter place with them in it. He has taught me so much. Made me a better person; continues to help me see the things in life through his eyes I would certainly have missed had he not shown me.

He also likes to run around naked, steal my pens and randomly call people on my phone. Notorious stealer of toothbrushes too.

His hugs make any bad day instantly better. Yep, being his mommy is the greatest feeling in the world.

By the way, John is our photographer today. I added some Lightroom 3 actions but he did the hard part. Didn't he do a great job?!


I linked up with Wordless Wednesday.

Making Memories - Spencer's Way

I think I have the most adorable boy in the world. I hope all parents feel the same way about their children. I could take pictures of Spencer all day, every day. Spencer however has different ideas on the matter. Having a special needs child has challenged me, in a good way. I had to learn to be creative and relax my high standards on getting the "perfect" photo. I do admit a small tinge of envy here and there when my friends share photos of their kids and they have actual cooperated! It's a small tinge and it fades quickly.

You see, when I ask Spencer to stay where he is or I get out my camera because he is being his adorable self, I immediately get attitude, this attitude.

Isn't he cute all disgruntled like that?

He doesn't understand what a camera means, only that whenever I have it out, it requires something of him possibly. He is not sure what that is, so his reaction is one he has for anything he doesn't understand, slight panic. This post is not so any of you reading feel badly for either of us. It's to help, possibly, to open up your minds a bit to the reality of who your/our children are. That while taking pictures of a special needs child might require more imagination and patience, it is well worth it and in my case SO MUCH FUN. Life should be fun for our children! Don't give up and leave your camera on the shelf. Capture your child's precious memories, have fun doing it and let them be who they are. Special needs or not. 

Here are Spencer's perfect poses. Perfect for him, perfect for us. 

My nephew, Colin used to make this face too!

This is what Spencer says he thinks about "perfect" pictures. Ha! Love this boy.

Got Cute?

I do! Who can have a bad start to the day with these guys around?

Spencer only keeps me around to cut the crust off of his bread but I'm ok with that.

Pistachio or Heavy P to his tank-mates.

Hasta manana!

Samson and Delilah

Adorable...

Ban Me...Now!

I need our local pet store to issue a "NO SHERI" policy ASAP. I usually need to stop by there every week and a half to get crickets for my frogs and toads. I honestly, despise crickets (OK, I'll be honest, they are creepy and scare me!), but it is the main diet of my babies, so I suck it up and deal with it.

My baby frog I wrote about a few weeks ago, died after only a week. I think he wasn't it good health when I got him though. It really bummed me out and was quite sad to watch.

A forum I am a member of (of course this forum is for frog owners) frequently has pictures of members other pets. Cats, dogs, snakes, lizards, boyfriends, etc..and bearded dragons are quite popular. I learned they are gentle, easy to care for pets and are good for young children due to their calm nature and love of affection. Unlike my frogs which shouldn't be handled often, beardies love the attention and to be petted and held.

I had an empty 30 gallon tank already, sooooo, I came home with two baby bearded dragons tonight. Samson and Delilah. John loves them and already wants a colony. I think two is fine. They can reach 20 inches and I don't want to have to rent a storage unit, just to keep them. HA! They really are beautiful and very curious.

At times like this, I think of how much my nephew Colin would love to come over and play with my critters.

Samson

I am starting to feel like a backwards cat woman...lol!

Brrr...

Hello my friends! It has been lightly snowing here on and off for the last few days. Nothing that accumulates but just enough to remind me that very soon I will dread every morning and evening driving to and from work. I don't like snow EVER! I have my first cold of the season. It's seriously trying to kick my butt!

We have Spencer's first parent/teacher conference tomorrow night. I am very excited to go. Spencer is still loving school and I see so many good changes in him. He is maturing a little. He counts on his own up to ten quite clearly and recites the alphabet with very little prompting, again saying his letters nicely. He is learning how to draw straight lines, play with his peers and how to follow directions. He is understanding more what is being said/asked of him as well. I see things click for him more often. Yeah!

Of course I have to talk about frogs. I mean you would expect no less of me right? I have been keeping myself busy creating new environments for my babies. I also received the cutest early Christmas gift this weekend. He/she was shipped to me now instead of Christmas time due to the cold temperatures. See below for the cutest baby you have ever laid eyes on!

This is Little C. (until I know what sex he is). He is a baby Waxy Monkey Tree frog. He is the cutest little fella.


Instead of hopping, he prefers to walk.

The fire belly toads got a new home. They love water, so they got their own pool. If you look closely, you can see a couple of them over by the plants.

How are you all doing? I don't have much to blog, so I have been MIA lately. Would love to hear from you all!

Lily and The Gang

This is Lily. Lily is a fire-bellied toad. Lily is sitting in the tank right next to me taking a bath as I type this. Lily and her three posse members have been distracting me constantly since John surprised me with them a week ago. He knew I would have an empty tank after I put my White's Tree Frogs in their new home. He knew I would fret and research until I could no longer see, on my next frog. He couldn't have made a better choice. Even though they are toads, they are just as adorable as frogs! Fire-bellies are active all day and hop around onto everything, even themselves. I find them quite entertaining and adorable.
Here is to give you a size comparison. This is Lily last week just before I transferred her to her new home. Isn't she the tiniest cutest girl?! She and her tank mates are full grown! They were skinny when I got them. Nice and round now though!

I say that she is my only female out of four because of how much bigger she is than the other three. She is a round little lady.
Here are the three boys. They are smaller and more slender. They do croak but so quietly that I have to stop and listen carefully. They sound like a small dog barking a long ways away!
They are a community toad and love to be around each other. They are also semi-aquatic (that is why the water dish is so dirty). I am looking forward to making 60% of their tank water, like a small pond.
One of the males posing. They are also very friendly. They do give off toxins as most colorful toad/frogs do, but I wash my hands before and after handling them. They really only cause a reaction if you try to eat them, which I don't plan on doing for at least a few years, LOL!

Spencer and Daddy

While Spencer is by far my favorite subject to take photos of, it seems that when the camera comes out, he turns serious. Spencer is a bubbly, energetic, seriously happy little boy 99% of the time. Looking back at my posts with photos of him, I realize I capture very little of his sweet and goofy personality. John did get a few smiles this last Sunday while I was baking.

Normal camera cameo for Spencer.

Meet Bob, the snake. Spencer grabbed him at the store the other day. Bob is an easier name for him to say rather than snake, don't you think?