Zachary earn his Bear rank

On February 26th Zachary earned his Bear rank badge in Cub Scouts. We did some good work to accomplish this rank. A few things he had to included making a birdhouse, learning about folk tales, baking some cookies and learning what to do if our house catches on fire.



Zach really loves Cub Scouts. He likes earning badges, getting patches and doing the fun activities like pinewood derby and day camp. I really like scouts because it gives Zach and me a chance to do something together; it challenges him to go beyond just schoolwork to exercise his brain. We are currently working on finishing the World Conservation patch.

Buster turns two

Our cocker spaniel Buster turned two this week. He is black with just a bit of white on his chest. We got him when he was only eight weeks old and weighed five pounds. He was so small he could sit in Scott's hand. We'd always told the kids we wouldn't get a dog for quite a while because we had so many kids. But our military house was scheuduled for demolition and so training a dog to not chew or pee or dig up the yard would be easier in a house that didn't matter. And I think Scott really wanted our family to be complete with a dog.

Buster is really a very good dog. We have not had to throw out, refinish or fix any furniture due to his chewing. He doesn't shed. He only barks at strangers or loud noises. He doesn't pee in house. He is very good with our family and once he smells a person he is good with them too. He only doesn't like toddlers very much. But my relationship with Buster can be a love/ annoyance one. I love it that Buster follows be around the house and sits at my feet when I dry my hair. He can be so comforting when he sits next to me on the couch while I read. He can be so cute when he looks at me and cocks his head to the side wondering what I am saying to him. But there are days when I can't stand his constant going in and out, especially on rainy days. He still pulls on the leash when we walk. And his favorite place to sleep is curled up next to my back. We have to have a babysitter for him when we go on vacation and we can't be out too long or he might have an accident inthe house.

I told the kids I wouldn't cry if we had to give Buster away, but then I had a dream in which I cried and cried when we had to give Buster away. I guess I'm too afraid to admit I really am attached to him.