Balloon Fun with Cabo

Cabo is the most playful dog! And, yes, he did pop all of the balloons.

Another Visit to the ER

After my last day as a working mom, I picked up the kids and took Alaina shopping (more on that later). Then, we had a great Enrichment Night at the church and did an awesome murder mystery dinner and skit. I had left the kids at home eating dinner, with strict instructions to clean up, and the garbage taker-outer was supposed to take out the garbage. Upon returning from Enrichment Night I found that all was not well. The bag of moldy, rotten cheese that was supposed to have been put in the outside garbage can was missing. And the taker-outer fessed up and said he hadn't done the job. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a piece of shredded Zip-Loc baggie by the back of the couch, where Cabo always takes the things he's not supposed to eat but does anyway. It's a good thing we love him so much.
I called the ER vet and they said to bring him in. Given that last year after he ate a bag of valentine chocoates he spent 3 days in the doggie ER and it cost us $6,000, I thought I'd prevent a major emergency by taking him in right away. He was the happiest patient they've ever had! The vet made him vomit (apparantly he hadn't even chewed the cheese) and he was good as new within 45 minutes. And it only cost us $160! What a bargain.

Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day after I put the kids to bed, I realize we didn't really talk about the reason we celebrate it. They just know they get a three-weekend and get to see dad a little more. So this year I was very determined to do something special.

We started with a bike ride to Civic Park and attended the Memorial Day Celebration where the Lt. Governor spoke, the veterans were all recognized, and a band played American music.



We walked across the street to see them lay wreaths for our two Walnut Creek fallen soldiers and it was very moving. It was sad, but good, having the kids see the families left behind, so they could realize the ultimate sacrifices that had been made. It is so hard to help them understand how blessed we are and why we have the freedom that we enjoy.

The guys all got hair cuts and I rode with the girls to Safeway, where we had a picnic lunch in front of the store at some little tables. Then of course, since we were so close, we had to ride our bikes to Gelato Naia for dessert.

This is seriously as good as the gelato we had all over Italy!

They have the BEST, REAL ITALIAN, gelato! We rode our bikes home, then of course we had to take advantage of the Memorial Day sales, so we took Alaina's friend with us to the mall. And then, of course we had to hurry home to get Cabo so he could come with us to our next stop of the day...a fun Heather Farms picnic with friends.

(if anyone can show me how to keep my pictures from deleting, I'd be most grateful...there were a lot more people at the picnic than these three darling kids!)

Cabo loved being the center of attention, aside from a little friend trying to "ride the horse". And, of course, at the end of the day, we had to take him to the dog park. I am glad it was such a beautiful day and so grateful that we finally celebrated it right.

I am proud to be an American!