Peanut butter jelly time

My parents are saving money to buy me a yard, so every morning, my dad wakes up early to make my mom the most delicious sandwich to take to work for lunch. 

Peanut butter and strawberry preserves. 

Every.  Single.  Day. 

I am so jealous!  I usually stand next to him, drool hanging down past my shoulder in my statuesque pose.  I learned a few months ago that my best "please, please, please" whine just got me banished to the stairs, where I didn't even have a chance of smelling the deliciousness (or catching any nibbles if he was messy and dropped a few crumbs).

But this morning... THIS morning... oh, it was glorious. 

My dad stepped outside to load a large box of supplies into the car for my mom.  I only had a few moments, seconds really, but I tore through that sandwich baggie and swallowed half of that sandwich faster than you can say "Bob's your uncle."  Ahhh... totally worth my dad's stern words when he caught me trying to swallow the second half of the sandwich pelican-style.  No big deal, dad.  I left the baggie.  If you make mom another sandwich, she will never know the difference.  Well, she might wonder about the large hole in the side of the bag, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Time for flipflops, not hats

Hey mom, it's seventy degrees outside. 

It's time to finally pack up your winter hat and break out those flip flops. 

And you know what flip-flops mean... almost time for summer.  Ah, how I love summer.  Watch out pool, here I come!

Blame my mom

It is all my mom's fault.  

 She got a new job and has been a real slacker.  All she does is get up, go to work, come home, take me to the park, come home to make dinner, feed me, and then go to bed.  I mean, come on!  A little help on the computer would be very much appreciated.

 And when my mom finally has time to let me use the computer, well... 

There are so many fun things to see and do outside.

V-Day Present for Me!

It's Valentine's Day!  It's Valentine's Day!  

I can't wait for my Valentine to get home. 

 

 I waited by the front window for hours and hours.  He was really late.  But when he got home, he had a surprise for me. 

 Hey Mom, are you jealous?  I got FLOWERS!?!?!

 Dad, you are the BEST Valentine EVER!

Wait, what do you mean these flowers aren't for me?

Kisses for my Great-Grandmom

I love visiting Grandmom Bonnie's house!  Lots of family, friends, and great food.  One particularly lovely lady is my great-grandmom Cover.  She is so sweet, and we don't get to see her (or my other great-grandparents) often enough.  

I love you, great-grandmom!

My great-grandmom gives me lots of cuddles and always steals yummy food for me (chicken, sweet potatoes, salad, deviled eggs, apple pie, and cheesecake!) when my mom isn't looking.  I have to be careful not to be overly wiggly around her, but I love her very, very much.  It's hard to resist jumping on her lap and covering her face with kisses.

Too chilly for swimming?

It's definitely too cold for swimming in Maryland right now, but back in November, I didn't think so.  In fact, I jumped down a little cliff to get to the water.  Twice.

It was chilly, but so worth it.

Patience has its limits

I am a patient girl.  

When my mom puts my dinner or some veggies (I love lettuce and asparagus!) in my bowl, I wait patiently until she gives me the "ok, go ahead" signal.  

But sometimes she forgets to give me the signal.  Sometimes she leaves the room and forgets about me and my bowl full of deliciousness. Cruel, mom.  That's just cruel.

Today, she put some pieces of fresh asparagus in my bowl and went upstairs to do something.  A million and a half hours later, she came looking for me, but it was too late...

I had already flooded the kitchen.

Ultimate frisbee-flying fun

A few weeks ago, we took a trip up to Westminster for a hike and stopped in a field for the ultimate game of frisbee!

My dad is the best frisbee-thrower in the world.  Did you see the air I got on the first jump?

But my name is on it. . .

I spent a wonderful few days at my grandpa Steve and Michele's house up in Westminster while my mom and dad worked all weekend.  I got to play with my bunny and raccoon, ate peanut butter and krunchies out of my kong, tunneled under the covers in the middle of the night and kicked Michele out of bed, stole Poppy's toys, slept in Poppy's bed, and genuinely had a grand ol' time.  

When my mom and dad left for work this morning, they made a fatal mistake. They left my "overnight bag" out on the counter.  Yup, the bag with all of my goodies -- my toys, my food container, my empty kong, my stuffies, my leash and collar, and more importantly . . .

 the peanut butter jar for my kong. 

 Well, don't look at me.  The goose did it.  I swear.

 I'm sorry Mom, I really am.  But how was I supposed to know that I shouldn't eat it.  It was pretty clear that the jar was meant for me. 

Look, the lid clearly says:

"LAILA"

Snoozing, snoring

At the end of a long day (and especially after a long hike), I love napping with my dad on the sofa . . .

  in the "nook" of his arm . . .

and sandwiched between my dad and the back of the sofa.

Santa, You're Late!

Santa, you were late.  And I was upset.

While I waited, I "borrowed" Mr. Santa stuffie from my mom to cuddle for a little bit.  His beard tickled my nose so *might* have shaken him a little bit.  Sorry grandmom.  I was a little upset.

On New Year's Eve, we went to visit my grandpa Steve and Michele.

My new bed from grandpa Steve and Michele.

They gave me a awesome, smushy, fluffy bed.  Things were looking up!

Then, a few days ago, the UPS man *finally* delivered the rest of my Christmas present!

Hellooooo, Mr. Hooter!  Squeak!  Squeak!  Squeak!

Santa brought a Hooter-owl and a huge bag of Vanilla-flavored rawhides.

 I squeaked Mr. Hooter for about 15 minutes until I killed both of his squeakers, and then I moved on to my vanilla rawhides.  I do love vanilla rawhides.

Hey, Mr. Santa, do you think you could come early next year?  I will accept presents once a week starting on September 1st.

NOT Santa

Christmas morning started with the tradition of opening gifts.  As the youngest in the house, I went first.

I was super-excited to open my gift that came earlier this week.  I've been so good this year.

Hey Santa, did you forget something?  Something stuffie-like?  

So, I think I have the answer to my question.  No, Santa does not drive a UPS van because if he did, he would have brought ALL of the presents on my list.  You can't have Christmas without new stuffies.  Santa, why do you tease me?

Does Santa drive a UPS van?

I'm not sure, but I think Santa just came early.  The UPS guy just came and dropped off a package from White Dog Bone.  I jumped up and down and gave "Santa" loads of kisses and V-hugs.  He didn't look much like Santa, but he left a package that smelled a whole lot like the stuff on my "Dear Santa" list.  I started scratching at the box and trying to open it, so my mom put the box on top of the china cabinet.

I sure hope there are stuffies in there.  Only a few more hours until Christmas morning.  Then, you will be mine!

Racing with blinders on

 My friends and I found a new hiking trail last weekend.  We loved it so much that we went back again this past Saturday.  I think it's going to be a regular hiking trail for us.  

The trail winds through a forest and around really pretty waterways.

Khan, Colby and I had fun exploring the water and riverbanks, and the trail offered great opportunities to play chase games.

Colby (yellow collar) and Khan (red collar)

The boys ran around like mad men, and I raced through the woods the opposite way to cut them off.

I ran and ran and ran and ran. 

And then, I made the silly mistake of closing my eyes as I was leaping over a small patch of leaves.

BAM!!!!

And, I ran smack into my mom and her camera.  Ouch.

 After a day like today, the only reasonable thing for a girl to do is to wrap up in a blanket and lounge in her bed under the heating vent.  Ahh....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Brrr... so cold outside.  Yet, the weather forecast said rain?  

It's about time that we had some snow in Baltimore, even if I have to make my own. 

So I did.  Snow, soft fluffy snow.

* snow created while my mom washed the covers for the two decorative bedroom pillows *

'Tis the Season for Trees and Stuffies

'Tis the Season to be Jolly . . . 

Well, it's that time again.  My dad went digging in the shed and brought out five plastic tubs full of shiny red stuff that my mom started hanging up all over the house.  Christmas carols are playing on the radio, and classics like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman flash across the television.  My mom is baking cookies, making the house smell like cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.

Our neighbors got together for a "party" on Sunday afternoon to decorate the street.  They had a great idea to string colored lights between the houses this year.

I think it turned out great.  Very festive!

After the decorating party, my mom and dad put up a tree in the house and hung stockings by the fireplace.

I know.  A tree!  In the house!

They won't let me bring sticks into the house, yet they bring in an entire tree?  Hypocrites, I tell you.  Although, I will admit -- the twinkling lights, shiny balls, and special ornaments make the tree very pretty.

My mom also put some holiday stuffies up on a shelf that for some reason are "off-limits" to me.  I don't understand how a stuffie could sit on a shelf and not be loved. 

Dear Mr. Reindeer, sir, wouldn't you like to hop down off that shelf and play?

And Mr. and Mrs. Bear, stop that mushy stuff and come cuddle with me instead.

Banana & Bread = Delicious

On Saturday, my grandpop Steve, Michele, Dan and Dawn visited us for a Turkey dinner.  We all had a great time.  There was turkey, homemade stuffing, gravy, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans, rolls, and apple pie.  Michele baked Banana Nut bread. 

Mmm... Banana Nut Bread

I love Michele.  And bananas.  And bread.

Drool....

Hey mom, can you please cut a piece for me?  Michele told me that she baked it just for me.  Oh, she didn't tell you? It must have been when you were upstairs doing something.  You can go into the other room and call her if you want, but uh... why don't you leave the banana bread with me while you call her.  Don't worry.  I'll keep it safe.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving?

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my mom's family down in Southern Maryland.  I always have a fantastic time and spend most of the day zooming from room to room to get pets and cuddles from my grandparents and human aunts and uncles.  Thanksgiving was even better than our usual visits -- it was a wonderful day full of delicious goodies, which my human grandparents were all too willing to share. 

The Turkey was a magnificent bird.

 Since all of my aunts and uncles made the trip, the turkey was about 25 pounds.  Nine people (plus me) are a lot of mouths to feed.

Smells yummy, grandmom!  When is the taste test?

 My grandmom did a great job basting the turkey all day.  I was her ever-vigilant helper.

But by far, the best dish of the day was...

Carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and cucumber, oh my!

The delicious vegetable tray.  

My favorite is probably cucumber.  No, broccoli.  Wait, carrots.  Umm... I changed my mind.  Cauliflower is my favorite.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I love them all!  

Veggie-lover Vizsla -- will perform tricks for vegetables

I sat under the vegetable tray for hours begging for a piece of broccoli or cucumber. 

At one point in the evening, someone left the kitchen trashcan with some turkey trimmings and vegetables unprotected in the middle of the kitchen.  My mom heard a rustling sound, and rushed to the kitchen to find my head in the trashcan up to my shoulders munching away.  Boy was she mad!  She pulled me away from the trashcan, pulled the food out of my mouth, started to scold me for eating out of the trash, but then started to laugh.  I wasn't eating turkey; I had a mouthful of sliced cucumber.  Yeah, I know the turkey was on top, but I really wanted that cucumber! 

Secret Kiss Attack: A "How To" Guide

Here we are on a beautiful fall day, and my dad is talking on his cell phone and ignoring me.

Yes, that's right.  Ignoring me.

Time to bring out my secret weapon:  the Secret Kiss Attack.

  The key is the element of surprise. First, you have to go up to your "victim" with the cutest "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, roo, roo, roo" that you can muster.  That will catch him off guard, and he will lean over to pet you.  It is at that moment that you strike and initiate the patented "Secret Kiss Attack" move. 

First you go for the nose, and then the chin, and then right in the mouth!  

Gotcha!  Super Secret Kiss Attack for the win!

Dad, why do you look like you just ate a lemon?  Don't you know that my kisses are super-sweet?

Squirrely College Park

My mom and dad had to pick up my dad's cap and gown and graduation announcements last week. 

Oh, did I tell you that he graduated from his Masters program in July/August??  Congratulations, Dad!  

So we took a detour to my mom and dad's alma mater after our hike last week to pick them up.  

I came along, which was really fun.  My mom and dad met in college, so I got to see where they went to school -- and my mom even took my picture in front of Testudo for good luck.  By the way, why do people leave trash for Mr. Testudo?  Do they think gum wrappers and empty coffee cups will really help them pass a test or get an "A" on a paper?

Anyway, the best part of the trip, in my opinion, can be summed up in one word:

SQUIRRELS!

There are literally squirrels everywhere.  

Grey ones,

and black ones.  

Who knew squirrels came in different flavors?  My mom had mentioned these legendary black squirrels, but I didn't think that they actually existed. 

 I watched them hop around looking for food, totally unsuspecting.  My mom said that the students feed the furry things.  Silly move.  A squirrel actually came up to my mom and begged for some food.  It wasn't scared of me at all.  Foolish squirrel.  If you lived near me, your days would be numbered. My puppy friends would nibble your fluffy tail for breakfast. 

Here, squirrely, squirrely....

I stood around very politely for a long time, but then something caught my eye.  Oh my gosh.  There are five squirrels right over there.  In one spot!  Mom, did you hear that?  Five. Five as in one-two-three-four-five!  Wow!

My mom gave me a little bit of slack so that I could walk around the grass and sniff around, and then . . .

Must. Get. Squirrel.

... my self-control was gone.   

What is the popular saying?  "Give an inch, take a mile"?