In Loving Memory of Puppy

It's not clear when Dora (AKA Puppy) was made, but she came into our lives when Katie was born. She was a gift from our friend, Anja, who lives in Germany. Looking back, the little stuffed animal became "Puppy" when Katie was about 18 months old. We began to notice that Katie relied on Puppy, especially at night-night time and nap time or when Katie was upset, scared, or hurt. Puppy (and blankie) were her constant companions.

Puppy was named "Dora" after Grandma's dog, Dora, a King Charles Cavalier, who was also white with black and brown spots. But, Dora was known to all that loved her simply as "Puppy". Puppy's gender was undetermined for some time, but it eventually became a 'she' and Katie was insistent that we all referred to her properly, correcting anyone who accidentally called her "him" or "he". Puppy also went through a transformation over the years in terms of looks due to the many years of loving abuse -- basically, by the end, she was filthy and had no nose, giving her an 'old man' quality. Puppy was dearly loved by Katie... she has drawn pictures of her and Puppy and blankie to share with her friends at school and when asked what she was most thankful for, she said, "... for Puppy and to Grandma for making my blankie."

Last week, Puppy disappeared. We don't know where Puppy has gone, but we suspect she's in heaven with Wally, keeping him company (or she could be in the grocery store parking lot or with a homeless person somewhere, we're not certain). To be sure, we have looked high and low for Puppy (including the grocery store parking lot and lost and found box!), but she's no where to be found. Despite our best efforts to keep Puppy in view at all times, she's gone.

Ella has been a gem about the loss and has even offered her puppy, Abby, as a substitute for Puppy. (Anja also gave the girls a second puppy, which became Ella's after Katie claimed Puppy. Ella named her puppy, Abby, after Grandma's other dog, Abby, who also happened to be the same white-ish color.) This morning Katie told Daddy and Ella that she had a surprise for them and as she hurried off to get it, Ella said to Daddy, "I hope it's Puppy."

All in all, Katie is taking the loss quite well. She "... really misses Puppy!" and has decided she's going to ask Santa for another puppy... or maybe a kitty cat... a pink one... and maybe a blue one for Ella too. So, I guess things will be okay, although Puppy will be sorely missed by all... well, at least by Katie.

Katie at about 3 months old with Puppy. Who knew puppy would become Puppy?

Ella with Gwagy (the name of her blankie) and Brown Baby (so named because of how filthy she is - she's no longer white!) and Katie with Puppy and her blankies (she has two!). They were about 20 months in this photo, having a snack and watching TV. This is one of the earliest photos we have of the girls and their "lovies".

Katie showing off Puppy to the camera.

Katie, at Disneyland, letting Fairy Godmother hold Puppy. She looks a little uncertain about it...

The picture Katie drew of her and Puppy and Blankie (the blue rectangle). She took this to school to share on "Student Spotlight" day so that the other kids could see her favorite things.

Pumpkin Painting

It's that time of year again... time to decorate pumpkins for Halloween. The girls decided to paint their pumpkins this year.... thank goodness, because with daddy out of town this week, I had no desire to carve them!

A very serious Katie working on her pumpkin

Ella also taking her pumpkin painting very seriously. She is showing me "...how the REAL painters do it, Momma", with two paint brushes.

Our Second Lake Barcroft Halloween Parade

Our neighborhood Halloween Parade was last weekend. Our friends, Ms. Margo, Hunter, Royce, and Ben, joined us for the parade.

Here we are getting ready for the parade to start, watching the band and all the other kids in their costumes. Katie is dressed as Sleeping Beauty -- she has a brand new Belle costume, but said it was too itchy. Ella was going to be Ariel, the Mermaid, but she started the "it's too itchy" business too and decided to go without a costume. Do you see her outfit though? Pink (and various colored) stripes on the top and blue and purple stripes on the pants -- this is what I'm dealing with here! She has her own very unique sense of fashion... who am I to argue???

Margo, Hunter, and Royce with a national celebrity...

Ms Sarah Palin!

Ben was too pooped to walk home, so he hitched a ride in Katie & Ella's stroller.

Granny Gowns

Here's a couple of snapshots of the girls in the new night gowns Grandma (my mom) made them. (Do you know how hard it is to find night gowns? And, when you do find them, they are expensive!) The girls LOVE nightgowns and these have quickly become their favorites -- they are so soft and snugly. I have to wash them first thing in the morning so they will be ready by bedtime. You can probably guess that Ella is in blue and Katie is in pink -- the ONLY color Katie will wear these days! Such a stinker!

Notice the princess shoes, or bedtime slippers, as they call them... Such girly girls!

A Little Too Quiet

I was on the computer and the girls were playing in the other room and all of a sudden I realized things seemed a little too quiet... to my amazement, this is what a found. They were up to "good" vs "no good"-- They had both picked out some books and were sitting down taking a little look-see. Just had to take a pix of that!!

I can't remember when I took these, but Katie is in her tights and church shoes and both have their hair fixed, so it must be after church. Ella is in the blue swimsuit (?).

Dilbert Meets Madame Butterfly

This is Dilbert.

Dilbert, meet Madame Butterfly. "How do you do, Dilbert?"

"Nice to meet you, Madame Butterfly."

Gone Fishin'

The girls decided they wanted to go fishing, so we took Mimi fishing while she was here visiting. It was perfect because Mimi doesn't mind touching worms... something Momma has a little problem with. (I think fishing lasted all of 3 minutes -- barely enough time to get the camera out -- before they were on to something else.) As it turned out, I think that was the last pretty day we've had. It's been cold, cold, cold here ever since!

Birthday Princesses

Katie and Ella's 4th Birthday -- Wow! Where does the time go? It seems like just the other day I was on bedrest at the hospital in Landstuhl waiting to hold them in my arms. Now, 4 years have passed and we're throwing a Princess and Knight party for our little girls. Lots to look through, but you get a feel of the fun the girls had with all their friends.

The party started with a craft project. The kids decorated their own princess hat or crown...

Princess Katie is in the pink dress with flowers, working on her pink princess hat.
Here's Princess Ella working on her blue princess hat.
All the princesses and knights working on their hats or crowns. The "big kids", Lady Megan and Lord Hunter, were the designated helpers.
Now the princesses and knights are collecting their swords and shields. You'll see King William in his royal robe, supervising.
Princesses Katie and Ella with their father, King William, preparing for the quest.
King William peeking his head out from behind the Princesses' shields.

King William telling all the Princesses and Knights the tasks at hand... First, they must survive the Bubble Storm!
Charge!
Notice the 'high tech' bubble maker in the background. Lords Hunter and Royce were in charge of making bubbles.

Uh-ooh... Katie's hurt...

hmmm... wonder if it has anything to do with Ella's sword?

Now it's time to hunt for the hidden treasure in the "golden meadow"...
that is, chocolate coins and mardi gras dabloons in the front yard.
Princess Ella (in blue) on the hunt. Princess Katie's in pink on the far left.

Now, King William begins the trek to find and SLAY the dragon!


Ah, ha! There's the dragon! Princesses and knights ATTACK!

The dragon is surrounded!!!
Princess Ella takes the first swing at the dragon.
Princess Katie in action...
aaaaahhhh HAAAAA!

Next, to enter the castle the princesses and knights had to pay the Greedy Troll (played by Lord Royce), who was the Keeper of the Castle Gates. One coin or piece of candy was the price of admission. (The only mask we could come up with that wouldn't scare the kids too badly was a Dilbert (from the cartoon) mask -- so we have a greedy Dilbert Troll guarding the castle. Not a good photo, but the parents thought it was funny and the kids believed him to be a real troll.)

And, here is the castle...
Princess Ella looking out of her castle window.
Princess Katie playing with the balloons.

Time for cake... Princess Katie first.

Taking a deeeeeep breath...
and, blooooowwwwing out the candles. Pleased with her effort, and happy to be 4!

Princess Ella's turn.
blooooowwing out the candles...

Not quite...

Taking a moment to size up the situation...
Here she goes again... And, she does it!
If I had to guess, I would say she's thinking... "All this for me?"
King William repairing the castle while under assault from Knight Ben and his dragons, but so happy to have such a fun day with his daughters.