At the Movies

Riley very patiently waited to fill up that penny jar, but he finally filled it with pennies representing good choices! We anxiously awaited this day (all 3 of us) so that we could go see Toy Story 3 at the movie theater. This would be Riley's first trip...we thought his attention span might finally make it through a movie at the theater. We did it up right with popcorn, peanut M&M's, and Reese's Pieces!
We all loved the movie, of course, we knew we would. What a great "first!" Now to fill up that happy jar again!!

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

We've had a challenging summer with our precious little 4 year old. He's still the same little cutie, but with a stubborn streak (wonder who he gets THAT from)? I took the "marble jar" idea and incorporated it into a reward system at home. We have 2 glasses and a handful of pennies. One is the "happy jar" and one is the "sad jar." Riley gets pennies in the jar based on the type of choices he makes. We worked hard to follow directions, listen, and say nice words to earn pennies in our happy jar for making good choices. Saying bad words ("stupid") earned a penny in the sad jar. Riley finally got all of the pennies in the happy jar and was rewarded with at treat of his choosing.

He had to call his grandmothers to tell them the GREAT news! He was so proud of himself--and so were we. We can't wait to take him to his first movie at the movie theater!!

best. dog. ever.

We said goodbye to our sweet puppy tonight. Doak went to play with his friends in Heaven. We knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. We miss him already...

I'll miss your slobbery shaking self slobbering all over the walls. Thank you Magic Eraser!

I'll miss your soft, fuzzy ears and your black, velvety nose.

I'll miss the way you HAD to lay on someone's feet, the way you had to be where we were, better yet RIGHT under us.

I'll miss your pretty singing voice.

I'll miss Russ snapping to make you stop licking.

I'll miss you prancing around in your puppy boots.

I'll miss putting water on your food so you could lick up the gravy first.

I'll miss you laying on any blanket that just might be hanging off of the couch or the bed...you especially liked to lay on the comfortor when we changed the sheets.

I'll miss you barking when we are having conversations that don't involve you.

I'll miss you running to the door every time the doorbell rings AND when anyone says, "Who is it?"

I'll miss hearing you snore...and watching your legs run as you dream about chasing those cats!

*Photo Credit: Tina Russell (shotofwhimsyphotog.com)