Just Gettin' Cozy!

I know, you thought Mom fell off the bandwagon, didn't you?! Don't you worry, I told her I would give her my best silent treatment if she ever stopped! 

So I need to be honest, back when Mom and Dad were bed shopping for me, I told them that I didn't need a Tempurpedic bed. I told them I enjoyed my bed and to spend the money on my baby brother. Well they look me literally and now I'm regretting it! 

While the Tempurpedic would have adjusted to my body structure, I am having to spend my evenings fluffing up my bed!

Layer by layer I slowly create my own Tempurpedic bed! 

You would think with my Arthritis they'd help a lady like me out! 

But Mom and Dad know me too well, I'm very particular! 

I like the corner flap folded down just right for when I lay my head down. It ensures my head is inline with my neck! I don't do well with headaches ;)

And there you have it, head inline with neck!

A great night of sleep calls for a great next day! :) 

PS- Tomorrow is Be Nice to Everyone Day! ;) 

SMILES 

-E

  

Special day for everything!

Mom missed the memo that yesterday was "National Dog Day". But I don't blame her, it's that everyday in our house!  ;) 

Speaking of National Dog Day. I swear there is a "special" day for everything... 

National Donut Day!

Mom is a big fan of this one! I'm watching my figure so I ate a rice cake instead. 

National Coffee Day!

There's a "latte" say about this day!! ;) 

And finally National Sibling Day!

Yep, that's right! That's me running with my little brother!! 5K here we come!!

It's like we need to have a "special day" to give us a reason to eat a donut, have coffee, or recognize our siblings. Why can't we do that any day?! Well maybe not the donut and coffee!! :)

So since we need to dedicate a day to do something "out of the ordinary" I dedicate today, tomorrow, and the next 363 days to be National Be Nice to Everyone Day! 

It's so easy to be nice when I'm dealing with this cute little fella! 

Now go make someone smile today! 

SMILE 

-E

Love Never Ends!

As you know, Mom and Dad adopted me 5 years ago...can you believe it's been 5 years already?! Well as I mention in my bio, my prior family loved me just as much as my Mom and Dad do! My prior family just knew that I needed to touch more hearts and "go rescue" another family. 

Well when Mom and Dad adopted me, my prior family left a note telling my new family all about me and asked if it was possible to have an open adoption. Of course Mom and Dad said yes!! Over the last 5 years, Mom and my prior mom, that's funny to say, have continued to share emails and they all read my blog! We even received Christmas presents from them!! :)

To the exciting part...this May when we went back to IA for the week, my prior family came over and my two families finally got to meet each other!! 

It was so good to see them! Unfortunately Dad was stuck in MN studying. And Kellen...well he wanted to make sure this was my day!! Riiiight, that was his excuse to go run! 

It was so much fun to reminisce about my younger days!! All the times I came home muddy, my cat friends, and all the adventures I went on! I know what you're thinking, pretty Princess Esther got her paws dirty?! Oh yes, if you only knew! ;) 

I won't lie though, it was a bittersweet day. There were some tears shed by all. But I look at it as, I brought two families together that share the same love, and that love just happens to be for me! :)

I am probably the luckiest dog in the world to have 2 of the most amazing families! I will always cherish the time I spent with this family! They showed me what love was like and made sure I did my part to share that with others. 

And just so they know, that love will never end! Thank YOU for allowing me to rescue Mom and Dad! :)

SMILES 

-E

Just a Simple Walk!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! The weather here up North has been gorgeous! And when I say gorgeous, picture the perfect day for a pumpkin spice latte, mulled cider candle burning, and peanut-candy corn mix!! Yes- it feels like fall and I'm loving it! (Pardon the pumpkin spice latte-Mom won't stop talking about how excited she is for them!) 

So about this simple walk....

Living in an apartment I have learned that going potty isn't just a quick 2 minute job! 

Oh no, the entire family has to come! Tractor and all! I'm going to herd the horses next time one of them go potty and have them see what it feels like to have everyone staring at them when they go potty!! Awkward!!

So we finally get outside and Kellen doesn't understand the concept of "sticking together"! 

Does he not understand I have to PEE?!?

We finally get Kellen to follow along, when Mom comes up with the brilliant idea to take a picture!

Once again, Kellen had other plans! Does he not know those rocks are stuck in the pavement...permanently?!? ;)

20 minutes later, 1 block away, we finally  make our way back home! 

But hey, I'd take family time anytime! Even if it takes 20 minutes to walk 1 block and even if every has watch me go potty! 

PS- Why does Kellen get stickers when he goes potty and all I get from Kellen is him saying "DONE!" ?? 

SMILES 

-E

Main Responsibilities as the Assistant

Like I said, I have a very important job when we go back to Grandma's....being her Assistant is not an easy task! 

Being Grandma's Assist requires that I "listen intently" while Kellen reads!

 I can officially read Mr. Dandelion in my sleep!! 

I am also required to be the safety patrol! I know, you'd think since Mom is back my work is done...oh no! 

I have to make sure they both wear their helmets! To be honest, it's not Kellen that I'm worried about poppin' wheelies! 

My last and probably more enjoyable responsibility is teaching Kellen life lessons...

Like drinking water from the pool like his big sister!! 

But the day isn't complete until Papa reads his favorite book, Stregenona! 

This is where I can finally relax...it's finally bedtime! 

SMILES 

-E

Family Time!

I know I said I'd be sharing my core responsibilities as Grandma's Assistant; but last night something reeaall sweet occurred! 

Every night, and I'm not one to exaggerate, when Mom and Dad tell Kellen it's time to go to bed, Kellen grabs his "nigh nigh" and he snuggles up to me. 

Well tonight we had an extra guest to our snugglefest! 

Dad joined!! Dad was pretty tired! Not only did he work a 12 at the hospital, but he also found out he got an A on his final paper!! (I'm so proud of him!!)

Anyways, Mom can be a bit sensitive, so she was feeling a little left out! But don't worry, we welcome anyone to our Snugglefest! 

I keep telling Mom she needs a selfie stick! It wouldn't make her eyes look so awkward! ;) 

I just love our Snugglefest...selfie stick or not!! 

SMILES 

-E

Minor Clarification

I believe I need to do some clarification. On Friday I made you believe that Grandma was just laying in bed when Kellen got into the pantry. 

Well that's not true, in fact Grandma is always running around that I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of her!! 

So instead, here's a picture of me, because Grandma makes ME smile! 

I love you Grandma! Thanks for all the snacks and love you give me!! 

SMILES 

-E

Grandma's Assistant

So like I said, this past week Kellen, Mom, and I have been back in IA. You'd think being back would be a bit of a vacation for me....but you're wrong!! 

You see, Grandma watches Kellen Tuesday-Friday while we're back. And lately Tucker has been here too, so to help Grandma out, I volunteered to help keep Kellen and Tucker out of trouble. 

But as you see, Tucker and Kellen did not have their listening ears on when I told them no!! And Kellen knew it too..I call this the "My mouth is full of animal crackers, but I promise I didn't eat any!"

So where was Grandma you ask?!?

I know, I'm speechless as well! I tell ya, it must be ruff!! ;) 

(Oh Grandma you know I'm only kidding!)

My biggest concern was that Grandma knew I didn't help this "animal cracker sneak attack" in anyway!! 

But Grandma knows better, I'm Esther of course...the best Assistant she could ever have! :)

Check back on Monday for other responsibilities I fulfilled while being Grandma's Assistant!! 

SMILES 

-E

Back in Iowa!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! 

Kellen, Mom, and I are back in Iowa this week! Though this is our 12th time doing this whole leave for a week every month for Mom's work, it's never easy to say bye to Dad! 

Dad ALWAYS waves to us until we're completely out the garage and he can't see us anymore. ;( (only 3 more sleeps!) 

Though I really miss Dad, I LOVE being able to roll around in the long green grass again!

There's just something with grass and ball!!!

Makes me smile everytime!! 

However, though I'm still quick as a pup, I get pretty warm fast! But do not worry... 

I have my water delivered to me!! And not just any water, it's Smart distilled water! ;)

You have to set your expectations high, especially at my age! 

We miss you Dad!! 

SMILES 

-E

Looong Week!

This week has been a little long. I woke up on Tuesday thinking it was Thursday!! Not good! 

Then this morning, it was gloomy and rainy and the last thing I wanted to do was get up and go potty at 4:30AM!!  Yep that's right, when Dad has clinical he's up at 4AM and taking me potty...while Mom is passed out in bed with the sheets to her neck! It's something about helping Mom out in the morning! 

Well this morning once I fell back asleep, Mom thought it was time for me to get up at 6:30! 

I on the other hand was still tired. Someone was up at 4:30AM! 

But like the good girl I am, I got up. However it was after mom told me she'd bring me back a surprise... 

That's right...a puppy latte!! The "perks" of Mom having a free perk at Caribou! 

Oh man, it was so good and was exactly what I needed! I'm pretty sure I could have chased balls for hours after my latte! 

But instead I decided to spend my time being productive...getting my beauty sleep! :) 

Don't worry, I know I'm already beautiful! 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

SMILES 

-E

Story time!

Every night before Bubba, aka Kellen, goes to bed we read books! I absolutely love this time! 

Warning: Sappy Esther is about to come out!

It just melts my heart to see my little brother look through books. It won't be long before he's reading them to me! 

Kellen of course has his favorites, Thomas, his Body book (yes he knows where his heart, brain, and femur is) and my favorite... 

Love You Forever! This makes me choke up every time we read it!! It could also be Mom's singing...it's so beautiful! ;)

Now story time isn't a typical story time in our house! When Dad's studying (as you saw in the first picture)-guess what other books we read... 

You got it...Nurse Anesthesia Research Statistics! :) Did you know that univariate descriptive statistics has symmetry and modality that are independent of distribution? Yeah, neither did I - I knew I was missing some pertinent information for the day! ;) 

Back to normal talk...after every story time, Kellen grabs his "nigh nigh" and he snuggles up to me. Every night!! 

This little guy may get on my nerves, crawls under me, and have to share snacks with him, but when he snuggles up to me, I'm reminded to how lucky I am to be his big sister!! 

He loves me so much and I love him even more!! 

SMILES 

-E

It's Been a Year!

Sunday marked our 1st year of being Minnesotans, eh! I can't believe 365, well I guess 367 days now, have passed since we've left the hot and humid state of IA. Let me tell you what, if there's one thing I've learned from living in MN it's that the humidity is NOTHING compared to IA. I chuckle when I hear the meteorologist say it's a humid one out there!! Uhh, sir have you been to IA?! I can actually walk outside here in MN and not be hit with a brick wall of humidity! 

Ok, back to my story!! If you didn't know this already, Mom and Dad are pretty big ice cream lovers...Mom especially!! So in celebration of surviving our first year in MN, what did we do?!? 

Went and had ice cream, of course! I know what you're thinking, "Uh Esther that says donuts and coffee". You're right, but they also make homemade ice cream!! (Side note: the donuts are amazing too!) 

I was so excited to get my treat! 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Kellen and Dad were making sure Kellen's shoes were on the right feet...priorities people!! 

Finally after 30 seconds of waiting, Dad brought my ice cream cone to my mouth and said "just take a lick"...really?! 

I had that sucker gone before he could finish "lick"! (Yes my Dad is rocking some sweet 4th of July shades) 

As always, Mom and Dad always give me the final licks of their bowl or treat! 

Call me spoiled, it's ok! ;)

But let me tell you, nothing beats ice cream on a warm....not humid...MInnesota summer day!!

Enjoy that humidity my IA friends! ;) 

SMILES 

-E

Mom's Personal Trainer!

Welcome back! I'm proud of Mom, 3 days in a row!! We don't count weekends! ;)

Lately Mom has been working out over her lunch break. Lucky for her she has her very own cheerleader and personal trainer!

"Come on, Mom!! Give me 15 more sit ups! You want that beach bod right?!"

However, there are times when Mom just wants to stop for the day. So then the serious face needs to come out. 

"That 6 pack isn't going to come with you just laying there and taking pictures of me-now let's go!"

I'm about 50/50 for Mom actually listening to me!! Someday she'll thank me for pushing her!! 

I keep telling her, there is no VICTORY without T-R-Y!! 

There's my motivation pep talk for the day! :) 

SMILES 

-E