We're back!

Well our vacation is officially over! We're back from mom and dad's and had GREAT time. It was so relaxing, in fact most of the time was spent lounging and playing in the pool. Cam and Papa had a boys day and hit the movies. The girls were NOT invited. They saw Night at the Museum 2 and loved it. The bucket of popcorn and huge soda was a bonus. Mom and I made a few trips to the casino - let's just say I was not able to submit a letter of resignation upon my return. But we had so much fun with our "girl" time. Cam did some skating at one of the best skate parks we've been to and had fun. It was nice to kind of get away and take our mind off the sad days we had last week. Bryan managed while we were gone, imagine that, and got quite a few things done around the house. He said it was kind of weird around here without the dog, which I found to be true once we came home. You expect her to be over here while you're doing this, and over there when you do that. She always had a "spot" in whatever it was we were doing around the house. And coming into the house, she was always right there at the door, sooooo excited to see you. Bryan and Cam were swimming tonight and it was definitely odd not to hear her barking - same with the doorbell. It sort of just echoed throughout the house, without the barking accompanying it. I think Hayden was a bit down also - probably didn't help that Cam and I left him for a week. I'd probably be depressed if I were him too - being left with Bryan. But he also seems to be better, maybe it's because we've "rescued" him. And ... believe it or not, I did not take ONE picture while we were there. I had my camera, with me most of the time, but it just never came out. However, we did get one picture: Air Force One. Obama was flying into Vegas about an hour or so before we were flying out. So ... on our way to the airport, he flew over. It was pretty cool. You can see the plane right above the Mercedes.

Cam and I worked on the project below for his teacher, and he gave it to her on the last day. I had heard about it and we thought we'd try it ... ... it's actually a glass vase with pencils attached to it. So of course, we filled it up for her. Thought it turned out pretty cute and she LOVED it!

Well I didn't get much done last week with all the drama going on, so needless to say I've been absolutely slammed with work. I was in the office yesterday, so Bryan and Cam had fun hanging out together. He was home today and will be tomorrow also, but skate camp starts next week, so that's a good thing - for all of us! Below are some pictures of Shelby, as promised. :) They brought back some good memories, and it felt good to actually talk about it without tears. Something we're working really hard on! Cam has been doing much better, so just giving it some time seems to be the answer!

Looking through our pictures, it was amazing to find how close she is to Cam in most of them. She certainly was never far from him when he was little, that's for sure. (And her ball was never far from her either ... :)

Cam playing with Shelby and her ball

Shelby watching Cam to make sure he didn't try and get through the gate we had in our old house. It kept him out of the kitchen, mostly because of the dog's food and water bowls. It didn't stop her though - she hurdled that gate like it was nothing.

Cam is almost 8 months old here - and fully protected!

This one was taken about a week after Cam was born. You comment on people and how "young" they look in pictures, I suppose you forget animals also looked young. She was just a pup!

"Daddy ... can you see my ball under there?"

We'll Miss You!

Yesterday was a very sad day for the Peterson's. We had to put Shelby to sleep. The past few days (and probably month or so now that we look back on it) she had been behaving very oddly. To make a long Monday and Tuesday short, she tore up the drywall in the laundry room in an attempt to get out. Both times we were away when she did this. Wednesday she continued to act strangely and Bryan took her to the vet where he said she was showing signs of dementia, and that it would just get worse. She was 14 years old, had a difficult time seeing with her cataracts, and her safety was also a concern with our stairs, the pool, etc. The vet was afraid that she might also turn her aggression towards us or someone else. Obviously a risk we couldn't take. Cameron had a really rough night - we all did, actually - but it is so heartbreaking to watch a child grieve the loss of a pet. Bryan and I tried to "get it all out" while we could before Cam came home from school, but we all still have our moments. She was a fabulous dog, so energetic and full of life. She definitely deserves to be in a place where she can have that again. She was Cameron's guard dog and took extra special care to let us know when she thought he was "in trouble." We have to constantly remind ourselves that we KNOW she is in a better place and not suffering in any way. Cam and I are leaving tonight for Vegas, so I don't have time to post pictures at the moment. But I will be certain to post some of our favorites soon.

On a bit of a happier note, Cameron has officially advanced to the 4th grade! He made the HONOR ROLL - AGAIN! and we are so proud of the year he had at this new school. Let the Summer Vacation begin! Wahoo! (Thank goodness I stocked up on my wine last week ....) :)

Tuesday's Tales

We didn't make it out to the lake last Saturday, but we did board the USS Enterprise for a bit. :) It was dinner and a movie night for the Peterson's. Let's just get this straight - we are NOT Trekkies by any means. Apparently I watched Star Trek growing up, at least according to mom, but still not sure if that's because it just happened to be on the TV or what. I do remember that when it was on, there was nothing else playing on any other channels, so maybe it was a last resort effort on my part. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I knew the characters, and the movie was fantastic. Honestly. Not a real sci-fi buff, and as stated before, definitely not trekkies, but this was a great movie. It was humorous, and had a great plot line. And it's a good thing Cameron was with us. At one point in the movie they mention Saturn and that they're headed for Titan. Cam leans over to me and whispers that Titan is Saturn's largest moon. I did not know that. And apparently he didn't think I would either. I highly recommend the movie. It is a bit long, and we didn't get out of the movie until almost 10:00, so we hit Denney's. It was open and EVERYBODY got what they wanted. :) Great time had by all. Sunday, well that original plan stuck: yard work. But after a few hours of planting, weeding, mowing, trimming and swimming and sunburning, we got the backyard done.

It's Tuesday, which means Cam has exactly a day and a half left of school. Thank god. Seriously. I'm ready to be done with making sure uniforms are clean and somewhat wrinkle free (We live in Arizona, do you have any idea when I used my iron last?), homework and projects, etc., etc. And, I'm thinking there must be a little bit of short-timers with his fellow third grade boys because the lunchtime and recess soccer games have gotten brutal. There's the usual name calling - "I'm better than you", "You suck", "I wasn't even trying and I'm still better", - and then the pushing, and "stealing" of the ball, etc. Then the teacher's aide steps in, the the teacher has to get in on it, and then the warning slips get sent home. Now, if Cam's instigating these little rumblings, and physically bullying, then yes, I'll whoop his little behind. But from the sounds of it, some of these kids just really need to shed the bubble wrap their mommies' dress them in before they leave the house, and grow some you-know-what's. Get over it. It's soccer, not checkers. Go swing or something if you don't like it, right? Anyway, that's almost over too. One more day. What could happen on the 2nd to the last day of school, right? RIGHT? He brought his "My 3rd Grade Stories" book home, short stories they write every Friday. It is quite the collection. I will be sure and share some of them soon. He also brought his yearbook home, and spent most of the evening pointing out all his friends, in every grade, and then of course, the "jerks" from the soccer games. And he didn't waste any time with his pen and doodling. He is right. Some of them actually do look better with mustaches.

Which brings us to Thursday. Rest and relaxation is just around the corner. Vegas. Cam deserves it. I deserve it. Bryan deserves it the most, but I'm pretty sure he'll find plenty of ways to take care of that while we're gone. :)

Out of the Mouth of ... Cameron

"Moooooommmmm ... my scab fell off in the pool. Third one today. Mom? Did you hear me?" Yes. I heard you. Excuse me while I go gag and check my suit for any scabs that may be stuck to it.

"I only have a couple of days left of school. How about I just skip today? We can play video games or something?" Nice try bub. I don't think so.

"Well I'll find out for sure on Thursday whether I passed 3rd grade or not. I'm pretty sure I did. You shouldn't worry about it."

I know. I suck.

5 days since the last post? What is that all about? Seriously. My deepest apologies for standing you all up. It's been quite a week. Nothing too drastic, the usual, with a few extra appointments mixed in. You know, life in general. Cameron officially has 3 1/2 days left of school and then he is finished with 3rd grade. Forever. Do you have any idea what this means? I am a mother to a soon-to-be 4th grader.

A 4TH GRADER!

Where does the time go? He's VERY excited to be done with school and start his summer, and we're not wasting any time. We leave Thursday night for mom and dad's for another visit. The last one was interrupted by dad's hospital stay, so we are REALLY looking forward to spending some time there. Good news from Portland: Uncle Dave is out of the hospital. Miracles/Prayers/Good thoughts do truly work in wondrous ways. He was taken off the ventilator a couple of weeks ago, and to be perfectly honest, the prognosis was not good. But he pulled through incredibly, and surprised everyone. He is very tired, but feeling good and so glad to be home. Last weekend we hit the lake for the first time. It was absolutely gorgeous. Water temp was about 79, and with the outside temp around 101, it felt great! Bryan did some wakeboarding, and Cam had some more lessons. He actually got up this time, the longest ever, and was so excited. Below are some pics from the lake ... from last weekend. I know, I need to get on the ball and post these in a more timely manner. Sorry. At any rate - enjoy your weekend! Think we're heading out on the boat again today, yardwork is on the agenda for tomorrow, and that about covers our weekend. Sounds pretty good if you ask me. Okay, maybe not the yardwork, but I'll take it. Any day without drama is a good one in my book!

When you are a mother ...

... you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.

~Sophia Loren

I saw this yesterday, and thought it was so appropriate. Just wanted to share!