Princess for a day

What little girl wouldn't love to have her class photos taken in a princess costume? Well, Katy's dream came true a few weeks ago. I am firmly convinced that, for the brief few minutes that she was in front of that camera, she totally believed she was a princess!

...and I loved the results!

Things that make me smile

Things that I am loving right now:

1. Katy on the cusp of literacy. "Mom, want to see? I drew my ABCs and 123s."

(...and she did!)

2. the coveted purple leotard. She's been in it all weekend, including bedtime. Yuck!

3. Backyard patio, completed. I love that the patio has increased our "living space" so much and seems to blur that line between outside and inside in the side yard. Our sweet neighbor, who grew up in this house, gave me a bunch of monkey grass and hostas (and some other plants!) this weekend, as she thinned her gardens. It made the dogwood in the patio look like it's been there for a long time!

4. Randy, just hanging in the backyard. As most of you probably know, she's a 12 year-old retired military working dog that I took care of several years ago while I was in Korea. She travelled half-way across the world to come live with us just about 6 weeks ago. She's loving life as a house pet, and she's completely spoiled rotten already. In fact, she's curled up next to me on the couch right now. Did I accuse Bryan of being the softie in my last post? (*raising hand*) Well, I'm guilty as well.

5. Bryan, who is incapable of letting an entire weekend go without starting a new project, despite my pleas to just relax a bit. He started (and nearly completed) a footbridge over the tree that blocks an easy path from the backyard to the side yard. I think he's enjoying having a creative project to play with, and I think it will be cute when it's completed.

6. Lying under the huge river maple in the side yard, watching the helicopters float to the ground, on a nice cool early fall day. I love that tree, and I love this time of year in Maryland. It's the perfect way to end a nice lazy weekend day!

Have a happy Sunday!!

Completely spoiled

I think the photos speak for themselves.

(Note that poor Tess makes due with her spot on the floor, while Randy enjoys the sofa.) Bryan is such a push-over.

More on patio and Randy

I know I keep talking about this patio that we did. It was, quite literally, the project from hell, but it's now completed and I couldn't be happier.

I've posted a couple of photos of the patio, as well as one of Randy. I got the nicest thank-you card from the MWD handlers in Korea, which just made my day. She is doing great, and we are delighted to have her.