All Dogs Go to Heaven

It has been just over two weeks since our beloved Aggie went to heaven. It was an agonizing decision for everyone, and it is still hard to believe she is gone. Ryan and our friend Katie were there with Aggie until the end, and I am very thankful that they were both willing to take care of this last, difficult decision. It has been very hard, especially over the past year, to watch our Aggie decline. In the end, it was a decision of compassion and love, and a desire to not have her suffer.

In our house, trying to help the girls understand this death has been very difficult. Before Aggie was put down, we tried to explain it to the girls. We told them that Aggie was very, very old and sick and couldn't get any better. We told them that she was going to live with Jesus in Heaven and that she wouldn't live with us anymore. Faith said," Why? I love Aggie". We explained that in Heaven, Aggie's eyes and ears would work again and that her legs wouldn't hurt her and she could run and play. Grace sat quietly, not wanting to discuss it.

Since then, there has been significant talk in our house about death. Faith wants to know why Jesus needs her dog, and when will God bring Aggie home. Faith has asked why dogs have to get old and die. She asked about a week ago when Aggie was coming home and Grace sharply responded:"Aggie is DEAD and NEVER coming home!". Finally, Grace in a quiet moment while she was looking at Aggie's collar, asked,"If heaven is so happy, why am I so sad?"

Fairy Tale Day

Friday was a favorite in our home, because the girls were able to dress up as princesses. The only problem came when I realized we only had one functional crown, and it was Faith's. In any case, they both looked so pretty and Faith said "it is fun to wear dress-up to school".

Bible Character Day

Thursday was Bible Character Day and thanks to Mom for help with the costumes. We had to take a few liberties in getting the outfits together, but I think you can clearly tell that the end result is two Miriams. The original Miriam likely did not have a pink Superman bathrobe, or a pink penguin bathrobe, but you get the idea.

Crazy Hat Day

Wednesday is Crazy Hat Day...and the hats are ideally supposed to be tied to a literary source. Grace's is tied to Dr. Seuss because the hat reminds her of Dr. Seuss's hat, even if the colors are a little different. Faith's is not so much tied to a literary source as it is to Elton John, but its what she picked, and the Preschoolers are really only along for the ride in these theme days.

Crazy Sock Day

This photo is not a result of letting my children get ready for school without supervision, nor is it an attempt to drive their Auntie Heidi crazy with flashbacks to what Allison may have tried to wear to school in years past.

This is the second of the theme days for school this week. It is hard to find crazy socks in her size (with her super-narrow, non-Laverty foot). Faith has not-so-narrow feet, but still hard to find some really crazy socks. So, the result is ladies socks, which is why the heel of the sock is half-way up their calves. But, I think we achieved the "crazy" part, which was the goal.

National Lutheran Schools Week

This week is Nationak Lutheran Schools Week, and there are "theme days" all week. The first was yesterday with Western Day, and I think that these are two of the cutest cowgirls this side of the Mississippi. We found the hats and were very excited. Grace has this belt buckle, which is almost as big as her hand, and the vests (does anyone think Roy Rogers had a Winnie the Pooh vest?).

The problem came when we were getting ready yesterday morning and realized that Faith had boots to wear, and Grace did not, as a result of leaving them at a friends house over the weekend. If anyone knows Grace, shoe dilemmas are not fun. The solution: We leave early and drive to Payless. You will be glad to know that there was a pair of Hannah Montana cowboy boots with rhinestones on the sides that fit perfectly. As we were leaving, Grace said, "Don't you think it's fun to shop before school? In any case, it all worked out and we were informed at dinner that no one else had boots as fancy as hers.

Also, for those wondering, the first loose tooth came out on Leap Day! It came out at school which was thrilling because everyone gathered around as she pulled the tooth out, and she got a "treasure box" to keep the tooth in for safe-keeping. The Tooth Fairy was very generous, leaving her $4 dollar bills and 11 quarters. Plus, the Tooth Fairy knew she hadn't gotten to show everyone the tooth, so she left the tooth for Grace.

Look for more "theme day" photos this week.

Ouch! and a Milestone

It has been a busy few days in our house. First, over the weekend, we managed to get a picture of the girls together, where they both look sincerely happy. These are always my favorite pictures...no special occasion...no forced smiles...no crying.


Then, on Monday, Grace discovered her first loose tooth and it has been VERY EXCITING. It is hard to see in the picture, but if you look at the bottom left, you can see her pushing on the said tooth. In case you are wondering, Grace is hoping she might get $2 so that she can give Faith a quarter, save two quarters so she can buy Papa a soda when we go to DC, give two quarters for the child her class sponsors in India and put 3 quarters in her bank. She asked if I knew when the tooth would come out, and expressed her frustration when I couldn't give her an exact date, explaining that she really needs the money. Finally, she is hoping that it will come out at school, because if it does, you get to go see Mrs. Nipp, and she will give you a special box for your lost tooth. We will certainly keep you posted on the loose tooth.


On to Baby Faith. No, her face is not dirty in this picture. Those marks are all scrapes. When I got to school Monday, this is how I found her and it caused me to draw in a breath. Apparently on the way to art, Faith and Autumn tripped over each other and fell, with Faith using her face to break the fall. As described by Faith, here are more details: "Autumn and I bumped each other and I falled down on my face. Autumn's nose bleeded a lot and we both were crying. They said they would call my mama, but they gived me a wet paper towel and I was ok." I am thrilled that this comes right before we are having Easter pictures taken.