Happy 1st Birthday Sarge

 

 

So, we did a thing in March - we got a rescue puppy!  And today he turns 1.  We just love him.  Happy Birthday Sarge!

Stevie Dawg Tribute

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that our beloved rescue dog, Stevie (affectionately referred to as Stevie Dawg here) passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24th at home.  He was so loved and the house has felt so empty without him.  I'm so thankful for the 9 1/2 years we had with him and all the memories.

Stevie Dawg Obstacle Challenge {2 Levels}

Stevie Dawg Getting Ready For His Obstacle Challenge

Have you seen the videos of various pets attempting obstacle challenges?  The kids and I have watched a few and we thought it would be fun to put Stevie Dawg to the test.  Watch Stevie in action below.  Did he perform like you thought?

Happy National Pet Day

Happy National Pet Day!  We love our Stevie.  Enjoy these photos of him relaxing in our yard.

On a patio chair...

Soaking up the sun...

Our Sea Monkeys

Sea Monkeys

C and D are both taking a Marine Biology course this year in coop, Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day.  At the end of January, they both brought home a sea monkey kit.  We set them up and it has been fun to watch them hatch and grow.

We started our kits with bottled water.  You can also use distilled water but you should try to avoid tap water.

Our kits came with the water purifier.  We added it to the bottled water and waited 24 hours.

24 hours later our tank had numerous bubbles on it

Next, we added the sea monkey pouch to the water.

This made the water a brown, yellow color.

C and D observed their tanks everyday.  They also stirred their tanks everyday to ensure aeration and that the sea monkeys would have enough oxygen in their water.  It took about 2 days for the sea monkeys to hatch and they were super tiny.  It's nice that the tanks have a few magnifying bubbles on them for viewing the sea monkeys as they grow.  Our kits also came with a tiny spoon and food.  Five days after the eggs were hatched the kids began feeding the sea monkeys every few days.  If the water became cloudy they waited an extra day to feed them.  This was a fun experience and the kids are really enjoying them.  I'm not sure how long they will live but we shall see.

In the short video above you will see our sea monkeys ~ 10 days ago.  We have since added water.  As the water evaporates, you need to add water to the water fill line in the tank.

 Here are our sea monkeys now, about 1 month from starting the tank.  You can see a large sea monkey in the bottom magnifying bubble.

 Both kids have a thriving sea monkey colony.  You can see in the photo above 9 sea monkeys from this view.

 

And here is the photo without all the red circles!

Have you ever had sea monkeys?  I'd love to hear your experience if so.

Happy Holidays 2018

The kids in their new PJs Christmas Eve!

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas break.  Our family is looking forward to staying up late tonight playing games and possibly watching a few movies!  I am really looking forward to 2019 and a better year!  All in all 2018 was a pretty rough year for me personally but I am grateful to be here and excited that 2019 is fast approaching.  Cheers to you and be safe tonight!  Enjoy a few pictures from our recent break.

Meet Twilight - the newest addition

B got a hamster for Christmas.  David and I wrapped up a cage, water bottle, bowl, and a few fun toys for her to open.  She went the next day to pick her out.  She picked out a female, black bear hamster and named her Twilight.  She is super sweet and likes to be around people and noise - yay!

F in his new penguin costume.

Jesus' Birthday Cake this year!

Celebrating Stevie & $25 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway

Stevie

As most of you know, we have a dog named Stevie!  He is a shepherd mix that we rescued a few years ago now.  He is so fabulous with kids.  We got him when F was only a few months old and of course we have had Baby G and Stevie is as happy as can be.  He is also a mess!  But honestly, so am I most of the time.  The reason I say he is a mess is because he loves "people food" and he is constantly finding ways to get into it.  However, he is super smart so I am optimistic that he can be trained to stay away.

When A and I finally returned to Austin after our extended time in San Antonio last year I remember Stevie was such a source of joy.  A had/still has lots of late nights with various therapies and treatments and Stevie was and is right there by her side to cheer her up when needed.  He always seems to be available in that way - a true gift. 

 Kid Train with Stevie

I remember shortly after we adopted Stevie one day the kids were making a pretend train with boxes and laundry baskets in the living room.  I looked over and there was Stevie, a part of the happy train.  I knew then that he was truly ours.

You may remember me mentioning it before but there are just a few more days until A Dog's Purpose is out nationwide - January 27th to be exact.  I saw an advanced screening of it a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it.

Check out the trailer below and let me know what you think.



And now for the giveaway!  One of you will win a $25 Fandango Gift Card.  Just enter below and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I received my own Fandango gift card for this post; however, opinions are 100% my own.