400 Bouncing Babies

Praying Mantis Egg Sack

We're having babies. Praying mantis babies. They are waiting to hatch (within the month) in a terrarium on our front balcony. I like praying mantis insects. I encountered them often in Asia. They seem intelligent. We will set (the entire lot of) them free in our rose garden when they hatch.

Pip really wanted her own pet. We cannot get a cat because Pablo would probably try and kill it. Also, I don't believe in having a caged pet, so that limits most pets. But not insects!

Pip with Fernando(pug) and Pablo (Old Boston Bulldog) 

 I am working with Pablo to try to control all of his latent aggressive tendencies. It is work.  He is an Old Boston Bulldog. They were used around the turn of last century for dog fighting in and around, you guessed it, Boston USA. I adopted him because I love bulldogs and did not want to adopt the current popular bulldogs such as the English and French Bulldogs. I adore those breeds but they have been carelessly bred for giant heads above all else which, has made them very sickly breeds with short life spans. So, I went for a much healthier bull dog, hence dearest Pablo. I knew of their fighting dog genetics but also that they are super intelligent, loyal and athletic. My darling Pablo is all of that. He is so intelligent, alert to every sound and smell. He can open all of the doors in our home. He uses his paw like a hand to work the door handles until the door pops open. And truly,  the only aggressive tendencies he has are towards other dogs on our property and when he is on leash. He is super submissive to humans and he loves children.

Survived a busy weekend: major gardening, 2 soccer games, and a music concert at the Arts Centre.

 Hauled rocks from a recent dynamite on a close mountain. We filled the back of the vehicle 3 times to procure enough boulders for our front garden. I actually love hauling rocks. It is fun for me. We find a secluded place on the mountain with an abundance of loose rocks and haul away. Perhaps I missed my true calling--a Fred Flintstone like career at a rock quarry. But I wouldn't want to sit in a machine all day moving rocks. I like lifting the ones small enough for me to carry in my arms.

Tabs sang in her year-end music concert yesterday. The concert took nearly 3 h! Pip fell asleep during a most beautiful and relaxing violin solo. There was something magical about the young man's playing. He played seven dances in a row. One of the songs made me so relaxed that I nearly fell asleep, Peter nodded off momentarily and Pip was out like a light for the rest of the concert! Mist mentioned her love of the violinist's music too. Tabs' youth choir was beautiful too. Loved their voices and songs.Tabs sings with such happiness and passion. Will post pics of the concert at a later time. 

Pup Loves Pip

 "I know what Pablo is thinking when he looks at me. He's thinking, I'm going to marry that girl when I grow up," said Pip.

He Ain't Heavy. He's My Brother.

Pablo and Fernando.

This is how my boys sleep during the day--piled on top of one another on the leather sofa back. It's always Pablo on top--Big bro Fernando doesn't seem to mind. Although, Pablo (Old Boston Bull Dog) is already taller than our pug Fernando and will be heavier soon too.

I had to post these pics as the love these boys have for one another makes my heart sing. Fernando was  a lonely only-dog for the first three years of his life and I feel so blessed that he now has regular dog company.

Danced perhaps my most gruelling line up ever last night. Realized at the end of it that I hadn't included any slow, easier type songs--all of them were hard core cardio. I was so pooped, could barely touch my supper once home at 8 pm.
This was followed by an odd night in bed full of tossing and turning. I ached all over and was itchy too. I had a diet coke to get me pumped after my kids Zumba class and before I arrived at the Uni for my next class. It always makes my skin crawl but it is such a great pick-me-up that can't say no to it (when I need a boost).
Tonight I start my first class across the lake at World gym. Excited because it's my first official time teaching at a "gym." Taking it easy today to rest up my aching limbs for tonight. Today I'll write, walk the dogs, make supper and take my gals to piano lessons.

This weekend was a turning point for me as a mom. I realized that my two oldest daughters are now at ages that make coordinating family sports day difficult. Skiing was a bust and then skating too. I had a wee melt down in the vehicle after all my plans fell apart.
What I'll do in the future is plan family sport days for just the Pip (kindergarten daughter) and I. Tabs, Mist and Peter can then join us if they wish. If I try to get the rest of them ready to go and pumped for the activity--I burn myself out in negative criticisms from the big gals and their dad. So, it's Pip and I from here on out that I plan for--the rest are free to come or not.

Baby's Ear Braces

OK, I am a self-admitting blogging addict. And as such, I had sworn of blogging for a few days. But I could not resist just one quick post of my darling pup Pablo in his ear braces. He has long ears that stand straight up and then the tips flop backwards. To help the little guy's ears stand up while he grows I researched how to make ear braces. Here's my effort. So far so good. Must research how long he must wear these for. Forgive me for the post but he looks so ridiculous and fruity-tuity I could not resist :)

Winter Walk with the Gypsy Boys

This weekend has been one of mostly work and not much play. Peter finished the hardwood stairs! They are beautiful. I taught my first Mom and Me Zumba class Friday night. It was fun. Pippi and Tabi attended class with me. I teach 5 classes tomorrow. I bring almonds and oranges with me so between classes I can refuel a little. Also, I always put a splash of apple juice in my water bottle to give me extra energy. I am discovering the human body has limited energy stores. Once they are depleted, that's it folks. Because I am dancing so many hours a day now, I realize that's it--that's my life. All I have energy to do is teach dance, come home cook a little, break bread with my family and sleep. I'll be a little bit boring this month I think.

Mist took Tabs out to a late show for her Birthday present. Tabs chose Breaking Dawn and loved it. I was surprised as Tabs hates anything scary or gory. Pippi asked if she and I could have girls' night since everyone else was out for the evening. She and I had a movie and sundaes in bed and then she slept with me until her dad arrived home at midnight with her big sisters. Pip loved our night and has suggested we have girls' night every Monday and Tuesday :)

The first snow of the New Year has graced the Okanagan Valley. Some snow inspired events from our lives: Mist down hill skied all day yesterday with a friend, blizzard on our mountain last evening--snow bound at home for the night, Pippi cut her bottom lip wide open tobogganing today.

The first snow of the New Year and the first outside walk for Pablo. Below are pictures from Pablo's first ever walk on a lead like a big-boy dog ;)

 Pablo ( we decided) looked a little like an old gypsy woman. We called him the Gypsy Granny Boy. He looks like he might try selling apples around the neighborhood.

Wild boy Fernando is one strong pug and Pippi one determined Alpha girl.

Fernando was determined to lead the pack but Pablo had other ideas.

Tabs, Pablo, Pippi and Fernando finally have the alpha leader thing figured out.

I took a turn sorting out the wee ego maniac boys.

Just when we thought all was well...Pablo was off like a shot.

Tabs caught up to the little devil. He just wanted a little privacy.

Tabs and Pablo wearing a dog sweater knit by my mom for my very first pug Weldy (19 years ago!).

Alpha Pippi thinks she can handle both wild boys at once.

Pablo has her on the run! 

Fernando has Tabs on the run!

Our feisty boys: Pablo the Old Boston Bull Dog puppy (2 months old) and Fernando the Pug (3 years old).

Me and Pablo my little apple-selling gypsy boy.