Rambles

I always say to myself on Friday "sweet...I will have time to write this weekend" and it never happens. Life gets in the way, and it is perfect that way.

We spent all of Saturday going here and there, getting things done and playing outside in the cool Minnesota Spring weather. We are working to retrain Koda on some things, and took our first walk as a family since last fall. It was glorious.

Today was another day, only we actually did some house stuff.

Have I mentioned before that I DETEST wallpaper? I am FINALLY getting to pealing the wallpaper in the kitchen (it gives me nightmares...seriously) and it feels so good to get it done. I am still up in the air on colors for the room, but we found at least an accent color (I think). I am going back to Home Depot tomorrow...so who knows what I will come out with in the end.

I am listening for Boo tonight. She has been getting some headaches and they are waking her up in the middle of the night. The poor girl can't catch a break it seems. Hopefully it is just something she is going through because Mama needs a break!

And that concludes the most boring post ever...man...my brain is shutting off and ready for bed.

Night all!!

What I Learned This Week

Today is a good day, I woke up and have gotten a ton done. All that is left is taking out the trash and going to work. Today is also Koda's birthday! He is 1!!

Did you know there are websites just for Dog Birthday Cakes? Who knew! We are not doing that, but I am going to get him a special treat at some point today.

Making a shelf out of a skateboard is SO MUCH easier than I thought it would be, and I did it myself! That is a HUGE accomplishment if I do say so. Plus, it looks REALLY cool.

When a certain 13 year old forgets to bring his glasses he will show me that he can bowl just fine, even though he will complain when he misses a shot. Drives me nuts.

Spending an afternoon going from one thrift store to another is my idea of heaven, the kids...not so much. But we found what we needed, including 6 9x9 cake pans! Woohoo!!!

Spring has sprung, and one of my Lilies is already starting to come in. No tulips yet though...

I have two weeks until I fly out to Philly/New Jersey, and my nerves are in over drive. I must find my Dramamine... The nerves probably have NOTHING to do with the fact that I will be meeting three bloggers in Philly...nope nothing at all.

For more What I Learned This Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Why does my dog hate the camera?

Koda has a love hate relationship with my camera...he hates sitting still to have his picture taken and would LOVE to eat it straight out of my hand.

No clue what it is, but I even went as far as to turn of the little green light thinking that had something to do with it.

Nope, he jumps for the camera, or lunges depending on who you ask.

Today he was being a...brat for lack of a better (appropriate) word. I took him outside and brought my camera (mistake #1). I watched him play, but then he saw the camera (mistake #2). He came running over, but sat nicely for me (yeah!).

Then...I tried to take his picture so that I can send the breeder a "Look whose 1!!!" photo slide show because his birthday is on Tuesday (mistake #3).

He jumped, and while I got the camera out of the way (woohoo!), my lip did not. I know have a fat lip...

And the dog is being super well behaved.

Why does he hate the camera...I just don't get it.

What I Learned This Week

Oh man...the weekend FLEW by. We had so much going on, so many exciting things, that I didn't hardly sit in front of my computer all weekend.

It was heavenly.

I learned simple things this weekend. The joy's that we experienced are so special, so monumental. We had the weekend of family, friends and the BEST weather since last fall.

My nephew spent the night on Saturday for the first time since he was about 4 months old. We had a blast. EC and "Bobby" (his "bear") were the hit of my niece's birthday party. He snuggled up with Boo after to watch Monster's Inc, and I realized how much I have missed the belly laugh of a little one.

So much.

I also realized how much I loved watching said little ones fall asleep. The almost asleep look and then the eyes popping back open - FABULOUS. I could have snuggled him all night long. He was such a good boy, as always...right SIL??? lol

Friday night was spent putting together the invites for Lia's wedding. I can't wait for her to be married, and having any sort of part of it makes me giddy each day. Her bridal shower is creeping up, I really need to get on that...really.

I apartment hunted with one of my best friends this weekend. After 8 years of living south of us, she is moving back to "the cities". I am so excited for this, and can't wait. She found the apartment that she wanted, but has to wait a bit longer to move in...so she is moving in here. Before I met hubby we had talked about moving in together, and now it is happening in a sort of way...I can't wait.

I did realize that while looking at apartments with her that I love my house, love having space and love having somewhere that I can call my own. I wouldn't want to go back...at all.

Oh, and letting the dog run through the mud and gunk yesterday was fabulous...until we realized that we had to give him a bath because the groomers was closed. Not fun, but a little funny. We were all in shorts or swim suits and the bathroom was FLOODED by the time we were done. Koda...not so much a fan.

See, some simple yet big lessons. At least to me.

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week

I have been MIA from WILTW for a few weeks. There have been some interesting things going on in our house, and things that I just couldn't/didn't want to share. But, here we go once again with the lessons of the week!

- I have said it once, and I will say it, Child Life Specialists are the BEST ever.

- It takes less time to get a child in for a sleep study than an adult!

- Stress can cause all SORTS of issues. Thankfully it will all work its way out.

- Words from a child can hurt you more than anyone ever told you, and they leave a scar.

- A dog will tear buttons off a remote (like the mute button) but you will adapt instead of getting a new one.

- Snowmobiling is not my idea of a good time, I go for my kids and my husband.

- Random on my ipod is still my favorite. I go from Needtobreathe to Britney to Metallica to Sawyer Brown...it is wonderful!

- Opening up is a very VERY hard thing to do, but once you do it will all be better.

- Boo still snores, but now whistles too...that's a little annoying.

- Spending time with a teacher will change how you feel about them a little, and I do mean little.

- Waiting is the worst thing in the world.

- People that question my blogging drive me nuts.

- Trying to figure out how I will kill time in the hospital while Boo does her sleep study just might drive me nuts...especially with no laptop.

- I really want a laptop...

For more What I Learned This Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week

I am a day behind on this, but still wanted to link up with Musings of a Housewife's What I Learned This Week party. So, let's begin shall we!

- Know what's worse than a sleep walking Boo...a SASSY ATTITUDE filled sleep walking Boo. I laughed, because it is sort of funny.

- Trying to clean your house, while you husband is framing in your bathroom, the kids are "helping" and the dog is running around like a crazy person doesn't really work.

- The grocery store is REALLY quiet at 1 am on a Saturday.

- If you beg enough, you just might get your name "drawn" for your child's field trip. Just maybe.

- Having the chance to see the play you were in as a child WITH your child, will make you bed, plead and borrow. Just saying...

- A total of 40+ leaf bags is what it took to clean our yard.

- It is not fun having to explain your self over and over and over again.

That's it, it wasn't that big of a week.

Head on over to Musings of a Housewife for more What I Learned This Week posts.

A Boy, I mean a Girl and her Dog

When we brought Koda home, we were sure he would bond instantly with Hunter. A Boy and his Dog is a friendship that can last a lifetime.

But man were we wrong!

Koda did bond with one of the kids, but it was Boo not Hunter. This surprised us, but not completely. She has such a kind way with everything, we knew they would be good together. We just didn't expect the devotion from Koda.

When Boo is getting up in the morning, the second that Koda hears her stirring in her room he is outside her door. He sits there and waits for the "loving" that he knows will come. She talks to him, "Hiiiiiiii Buddy, did you miss me? Did you have good sleep? Who's my good boy?". It is such a wonderful moment, that I watch it every morning.

When Boo gets on the bus, Koda is right there watching. He won't go inside until the bus is out of sight. He watches, just making sure HIS little girl is safe.

When she comes home, he hears the bus before any of us do. He is waiting at the door, jumping around so excited that she is FINALLY home. When she steps off the bus, her smile lights us. Not from seeing us, but from seeing Koda waiting for her. He wouldn't miss it. The talk and play for a long time before she even gets in the house.

But my favorite, and the most difficult to get on film, is when Boo goes downstairs.

I don't know what he is thinking, whether it is that she is missing, gone or just wants to make sure she is coming back, but he sits and waits for her. Watches down the stairs, from a couple different angles, and the minute she is back in sight he is his happy self again.

The bond Boo and Koda has is wonderful, after only 5 months. He loves her to distraction and I think the feeling is mutual.

(Every time I have tried to get a picture of it, he moves. I distract him or something and he moves away. But always, he goes back. This shot is the only one I have, and could it have been more blurry!).

What I Learned this Week - The Boo and Me edition

This weekend was a blur, but so fun. Boo and I learned a lot, about each other and life in general.

Did you know that dogs like tomatoes? Well, Koda likes anything, but this weekend he ate an onion, tomato and tried to eat a Habanero pepper ( I got it out of his mouth before he bit down on it)...it was interesting. There were tomato seeds everywhere, I guess he hasn't learned the proper way to eat a tomato yet.

We also figured out that bowling is a dying sport. League started this past Saturday, and there are only 7 lanes of kids, not the normal 12. It is such a great sport, as my old dance teacher called it "very Zen". It takes skill, balance, concentration and athleticism. It is something I hope my kids do for a long time.

Oh, and I CAN make my own tomato sauce. It was great. Well, not great but decent. It needed more spices ( I worried about over seasoning it) and more onion and garlic. But, it did get the nod of approval from Hubby last night.

Having a sore throat and ONLY a sore throat is strange. I have no headache, cough, fever, ear pain, cold symptoms or sinus pressure. Only a sore throat. But is bad enough that today is the first day I have been able to really eat since Sunday. I lost 6 pounds.

Having two days off when you have nothing to do is not really a good thing. I am bored...and my DVR is my best friend. Just saying.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Weekend madness

The end is in sight! Boo's room is almost done, thank goodness! I am tired of painting it. lol

This weekend was a stressful one, but relaxing at the same time (does that even make sense?). Hubby was off fishing up north, so Boo and I had the time to ourselves. We picked tomatoes, had the first week of bowling, and helped a friend buy her wedding dress. It was wonderful.

I love having the one on one time with Boo, especially with the way I have been working on my relationship with her lately. It was great to sit back and see just how much she has changed since the last time Hubby went out of town.

While I love this time alone with her, I am ready to have Hubby come home (ready a couple hours ago if I am being honest). The stress of it being me and Boo is one thing, but throwing Koda into the mix was new.

The last time Hubby was gone it was me and Boo. Now it is me, Boo and Koda. This threw some kinks into the mix, but we made it work. Having to be home for at least 3/4 of the day is not how we normally work a Daddy-Free weekend, but it has been nice being home too.

Today, we made tomato sauce.

From scratch!

I never would have even tried it if we hadn't been home bound and BORED. It made me take the time to let Boo help me, even though I wanted to correct everything she did (but I didn't!). She was here to see me make the biggest mistake, and laugh with me about it.

It was a great weekend, now off to relax a bit with my little girl.

Big Man

I did not run away, though some days I wish I had. We have been insanely busy. So busy that I have a list two miles long of everything I needed to get done this weekend...I got one thing done.

Shoot.

I do find that when I am crazy busy, my brain works well for blogging. I have a ton of things in my head to write about, but need to form them a bit more. Hopefully this week will be a bit more calm so I can do that.

But, I have to leave you with this picture, because he is such a handsome boy...

Can you believe how big he is! Remember how small he was, at a big 17 pounds!

After only two months Koda has more than doubled his weight! Such a big guy, and still going at almost 5 pounds a week.

Here, There, Everywhere!

We are back...sort of. I have two more days off work, so I don't know how much I will actually be here. The weather is GORGEOUS, so we have been outside.

The 4th of July was wonderful, lots of time with family (is there such a thing as TO MUCH time though? I think maybe...). The weather at the cabin was perfect, we couldn't have asked for much better.

Today, we are running errands, getting to dr. appointments and getting Koda a much needed truck gate. The kids are right now outside playing basketball on our new hoop, watching the construction guys grate the road.

We will have a new road starting Wednesday!!! Next week our driveway will get done, but the road alone is exciting. The kids can ride their bikes again. I don't have to keep refusing because our driveway is to short.

Tomorrow...another dr. appointment and Hunter's first tutor session. After that...the day is open until we have our last puppy class. Koda graduates tomorrow...I am so proud. lol

What I Learned this Week - Puppy edition

It is time again for What I learned this Week hosted by Musings of a Housewife.


This week was full of learning, but ask me if I remember.


Of course not.


I did learn one important thing...


Triming a dogs nails is best done by two people, and one of them must be over the age of...12.


Blood all over my floor.


Koda jumped and it was like we hit a geyser.


Poor puppy.


I stayed calm, and asked Boo to get her Daddy.


He held while I applied the Kwik Stop.


It worked, and all is right with the world again.


Poor Puppy.


For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Saturday night I watched Marley & Me.

Now I pray to the Dog Powers That Be:

Dear Dog Powers That Be:

Please please PLEASE do not let Koda be a Marley.

I promise to love him with every ounce of my being, to treat him with the utmost respect and to never EVER let him know how much his chewing phase is driving me nuts.

I promise I will never again use the phrase "D*** Dog" or hold his past transgressions against him.

I will help him practise each and everyday, 30 Sits and 30 Downs and anything else we learn in Puppy School.

I promise to have a ready supply of chew toys available, with Wubzie's galore.

I promise to always have treats. To reward for just being there, and for good behavior.

I promise that soon I will let Koda stick his head out the window as I drive, once I am over my fear of him jumping out.

I promise to not cringe when Koda gets wet and then wants to be pet. Ode to Wet Dog will become my favorite smell.

I promise to never stop throwing the ball/frisbee/monkey/wubzie or any other toy he wants me to throw.

I promise to set up Doggy Play Dates, to allow Koda to run around like a crazy dog and be just plain silly with other dogs.

Please Dog Powers That Be...

I want a happy dog, but a dog that will obey commands. I want a dog that will play with my children, and hunt with my husband.

I want a dog that will be gentle yet protective. fierce but loving.

I want a dog that I can laugh at and with. I want a dog to grow up with my children.

I want a dog that understands when I need a pick-me-up or when he needs to just let me be.

I want a dog that will love. Love so openly that the entire family will know it's love.

On second thought, maybe Marley wasn't all that bad. He did all those things, and so much more.

Many thanks with an open heart.

The Fritzfacts Family

What I Learned this Week

It is time for What I Learned this Week hosted by Musings of a Housewife.

This week was busy, and the coming week just as much. I learned a lot, which is wonderful. We spent a lot of time at Menards this weekend, where I learned some as well.

- Koda is my alarm clock. Each morning, like clockwork he is up at 5:15. Each day that he is up saves me a battle with my alarm clock. I am still sleepy, but I get up and get him right outside. Talk about a wake-up when it is pouring rain!

- It is possible to fall asleep on the couch after previous mentioned early wake-up call.

- It is also possible to get ready in under 5 minutes when you startle awake after previous two. However, you will forget your ipod, ring, watch and cell phone and be miserable at work the entire day.

- Planting tomatoes is hard work, especially when your 7 year old flings dirt on you accidentally (or on purpose...I haven't decided yet).

- When I leave the TV off I am able to get more things put away, plugging my ipod into the docking station is the best thing ever. We are having people over this weekend...I need to focus on getting things unpacked.

- Boo really is interesting in playing fastpitch next spring. So much so that she keeps asking me to pull it up online so she can watch videos.

- Even with our own laundry room, no need for quarters and the fact that I can throw a load of clothes in at a moments notice...I still hate doing laundry and I do NOT time things well.

- Koda likes to attack the Swiffer. He FREAKS out, barks and follows me around the house.

- Ma and Big Sis are once again my saviors. Due to circumstances our start to summer is slightly screwy. They are helping out BIG TIME, along with my friend Malia.

- Hubby and I had a bet going to see how much Koda weighed at his 12 week appt. Hubby said 23.5 and I said 25.

Guess who won...

ME! 25.4 lbs! (this is totally thrown in for gloating sake.)

For more What I Learned this Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife

Boy Meets Dog

Not only was this weekend the time that Hunter was going to meet Koda for the first time, it was also the first time he was going to be inside the new house. He loved the house, all the space and his cool hockey themed room.

We led Hunter on a tour of the house, showing him everything that he would need to see. Then, I went into our bedroom and shut the door. Hubby led him in, and there was Koda sleeping on the floor.

Hunter wasn't sure what he was supposed to be looking at, but when he finally saw him the first words were "Who's dog is this little guy".

When we told him he was ours, a big grin spread across his face, and he fell to the floor. Koda of course climbed into his lap and got some post-nap lovin. Both were in hog heaven. (Yes, the teething puppy is gnawing on Hunter's hand in this picture...it is what he does)

The entire ride to the cabin Hunter repeated over and over again "I can't believe we got a dog...I can't believe we got a dog. I can't believe you kept it a secret (meaning me)". It made my week to make this kid happy.

The Day is HERE!!!

Today is the day.

The day the he:

Gets to meet him:

Hunter still has no clue, and I am very happy about that. I can't wait to see his face, and yes I will have the camera ready. I wouldn't miss this for the world.

(look at the puppy keys...every baby needs their first set of keys...even dogs.)

As they start to wind down

I just got back from a short walk with Koda, and by short I mean a block because the little guy can't handle much more than that.

It is gorgeous out today, as it was yesterday. Except it is going to be FREAKIN warm out today. We have the most dramatic weather-mood-swings. Saturday Boo was in jeans and a sweatshirt, today shorts and a tank top. It never ends.

With this warm weather comes the end of another school year. Only 11 days left for Boo, and 12 for Hunter. It seems like they just started, and now they are in the winding down stages already.

Yesterday, Boo spent the entire afternoon at the park. THE ENTIRE AFTERNOON.

Hunter, he had Track and Field Day on Monday and will have only a half day on Friday that he will spend fishing...with school.

I wish I could do that when the weather turned nice.

The weekend...for lack of a better title

We are all moved in, stacks of boxes have been handed off to a friend that is moving and the bubble wrap is in the car for another.

The garage is clean, organized and things in the right place.

Laundry is going in my very own washing machine. I don't have anyone pounding upstairs, or leaving their stuff all over the entry way. Well...my kids stuff but that doesn't count.

I have so many stories about this move, like how the street was pretty much shut down on Friday...

Koda is sleeping at my feet.

What?

You don't know who Koda is?

This is Koda!

Koda is an 8 week old Yellow/White Labrador. We got him on Friday night, after day one of moving. Yes, we are crazy to do it all in one weekend.

But who wouldn't love this face...

Koda is high energy, loving and full of puppiness. He loves everyone, even after we scold him. Being a puppy, he is teething like crazy so everything goes in the mouth. It is just like a baby, sort of.

Koda's name means "Friend" in Dakota Sioux, and is also the name of the little dog in Brother Bear. We thought it was fitting because he has a bear shaped head and he will be the kid's best friend. Plus, Boo loves running around going "Like Ko-DUH", a line from the movie.

Now, Hunter does not know about him, so no one tell him. He is having a hard enough time at school that we didn't want to add to the distraction.

The weekend is winding down, and I am about to curl up with Koda. Sleep is calling early, especially since Koda has been up at 6 each day so far.