Saying Goodbye to Caleb

Caleb came over to play one last time before they move to Dallas, Georgia.  We're sad to see them go!  Will and Caleb always played well together and Monica brought a little of the South for me to enjoy (they're from Tennessee).  Oh well, I guess now we have a reason to visit Georgia!  : )

Napoleon is Recovering Nicely

While we were in Covington yesterday, Napoleon had his follow-up appointment with Dr. Campbell for his bladder stone removal surgery.  He got his stitches removed, which he was very happy about.  I was glad too because now he isn't growling at his back side anymore! 

Based on the analysis of the stone, we learned that it was composed of calcium oxalate.  This indicates that the cause is likely genetic and a special diet would be helpful in preventing a recurrence.  It also means no more milk, cheese or dairy products as snacks.  Poor Napoleon - no more finishing Daddy's cereal at night.  : (

We have one high-maintenance little dog.  We were reviewing the problems he's had so far and here's his list...

• A baby tooth had to be pulled since his adult tooth came in behind it
• He had an undescended testicle, complicating his neuter procedure
• He had an umbilical hernia
• He had an anal gland rupture
• He is allergic to sodium laureth sulphate in shampoo and soap, which took years for me to figure out
• He almost died before having emergency exploratory surgery to find and remove a piece of corn cob from his small intestine
• He had a bladder stone removed and now requires prescription dog food

 All of this and he is only ten years old!!  I can only hope he will be less problematic in his older years!

But just look how cute he is!!  Who couldn't love this little
face, problems and all?!

We decided to ride to Martinsburg today to pick strawberries and to try out the Traditions Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant.  We had a great time picking berries.  It was VERY hot, but the berries were beautiful and delicious.  I think I'll go back for more this week!  The restaurant was very good too.  : )

I forgot to take any pictures in the field, but Will helped pick too.
Though I'm pretty sure he ate more than he put in his bucket!

We drove through a horrible thunderstorm on the way home.  It was raining so hard
that we could hardly see the road.  Fields everywhere were flooded.
This section of Route 26 was barely passable.

Oh, I Like'm

Just as a bit of history so you will appreciate the story you should know that Will's new thing is watching for vehicles while we're driving.  When he sees one of interest he calls out "Ooooh, I like him" but he runs all the words together so it sounds like "oo-I-like-m."  This phrase is sprinkled throughout our conversations in the car.  "Mommy, today Napoleon was "oo-I-like-m" barking and "oo-I-like-m" chasing his "oo-I-like-m" butt!"

Will and I drove to Covington yesterday to take Grandad back home.  On the way back home today, Will fell asleep while he still had a couple bites of his yogurt parfait left.  I didn't have any way to keep it cold while he slept so I threw it away, not wanting him to eat old yogurt when he woke up. 

Well, first thing upon waking from his nap he asked where his yogurt parfait was.  I told him it got old and I had to throw it out.  That ticked him off and he started crying one of those forced, loud, whiny cries.  I just ignored him but as I listened, I noticed the crying went something like this...

WWWWWAAAAAAA"oo-I-like-m"AAAAAAAAAAAAA"oo-I-like-m"AAAAAAAAAAAA"oo-I-like-m"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.  WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAA"oo-I-like-m" AAAAA"oo-I-like-m""oo-I-like-m"AAAAAA.

My child was punctuating his crying with "oo-I-like-m."  Obviously that was some very insincere crying!!

Will FINALLY Caught Some Fish!!

Today was the last chance we had for Will to catch some fish while Grandad was up here and we got lucky!  We went to the Aitch Recreation Area on Raystown Lake and started catching Perch right away.  Will and I even hooked a huge carp once but luckily he just bent the hook and got off! 

Will had fun reeling in the fish and enjoyed holding them too.  We kept several so we could bring them home for dinner since that's what Will talks about all the time - catching a fish and bringing it home for me to cook for dinner.  After Grandad cleaned all six of our fish we might have enough for all of us to have a bite of fish with our hamburgers tonight!

I was so glad that we caught something today but it was really surprising that even when Will wasn't catching any fish he was still having fun.  He must have inherited a love of fishing from Grandad!  I'm so thankful Grandad came and showed him such a good time this week. 

A guy from the Army Corps of Engineers came by while we were fishing and just
after Will had spotted a snake.  He asked Will to hold his hat for him
while he checked out the snake (which looked like a copperhead
but turned out to be a water snake, thankfully!)

More Fishing

Will woke up this morning and looked for Grandad first thing because he was ready to go fishing again.  I was glad he was still excited about going even though we didn't catch anything yesterday.  After Jerry and Grandad got back from the lake we took Will to Portstown Park to fish a little before nap time. 

Today Will was distracted a snail and a slug!

Charter Fishing Trip

Grandad and Jerry went out on Raystown Lake this morning on a charter fishing trip with Angry Musky Outfitters.  They fished from 6 - 10 a.m. and caught 8 fish total.  Two big ones got away - the typical "big fish" story! Hahaha!  It was rainy most of the time but they had fun anyway since they were reeling in the fish! 

Apparently I almost got Jerry in trouble this morning.  I packed him a banana for a snack and apparently that's taboo on the boat.  The captain said bringing bananas on board always results in poor fishing.  I guess they were lucky - or maybe they missed the REALLY big one because of the banana!  : )

Grandad is already planning his next trip out!  Maybe I'll have to go along next time.  It sounds like I missed all the fun!

Grandad reeling in a big one!

He had to get the big net! 
They said the captain was very nice and took good care of them.  : )

Grandad's Lake Trout
28" long and 8 lbs.

The catch of the day.

Here's dinner! 
The captain filleted the fish for them.  That saved Grandad some
work because I know Jerry wouldn't do it - and I'll cook'em but
I'm not gonna clean'em!

Gone Fishing...

Mom brought Grandad up to spend some time with us this week.  Will has been asking me almost daily when he can go fishing with Grandad so he was SO excited that today was finally the day!  We packed a few things this morning and tried several fishing spots around the area.  At the first spot we saw one huge fish jump when we first arrived but we never got any bites.  We didn't have any luck all day, but we had enough fun to make up for it!

Will got his line tangled up.  Thankfully Grandad had everything
he needed to take the reel apart and fix it.  Grandad is
definitely a prepared fisherman!

After quite a bit of unsuccessful fishing Will got distracted by the tadpoles.

The next distraction was dancing in the mud.

We thought for sure we could catch a spot or perch at Whipple Dam.  Grandad found
a fish nesting near the bank and thought we could try for it.  He dangled
the bait in the fish's nest but the fish just picked up the worm and moved it out
of the nest!  I think we should have just used the net!

Will always wanted to fish right beside his Grandad (well actually great grandad!)

Playing Hookey

There was no reason we could not have gone to church this morning, except that it was just way too nice outside to be inside.  We opted for a family bike ride and picnic on the Rails to Trails path outside of Alexandria.

We got to try out Will's new "trail-a-bike."  He pedaled some, but mostly
he just enjoyed the ride and let Jerry do all the work!

We came across this guy crossing the path.  We saw a much bigger black
snake later.  Jerry thought this one was poisonous but after checking out the pictures
when we got home, I determined that he was non-venomous since he had round
pupils.  Grandad said he could be a blowing viper based on his markings.

To alleviate my conscience somewhat about skipping church, we took along
Will's book of Bible stories to read and have a lesson during our picnic lunch.
He really enjoyed it and participated well so maybe he learned something today! 

 

Playing with Daddy

Before Jerry left for Germany he asked Will what he wanted as a souvenir.  Will said he wanted a boat!  Of course, Jerry couldn't find a boat while in Germany but he didn't want to disappoint Will so he stopped at Walmart at bought him a remote controlled boat.  We went to the park to let Will play with it today.

Visiting Grandad's House

Will discovered that he likes tasting the nectar from purple clover flowers.

Then he had fun chasing a green grasshopper.

Uncle Jerry helped Will ride Grandad's new tractor.

Will concentrated very hard on steering.

I think he could have spent the whole day working on a
snowblower with Uncle Jerry.  He talked about it
all the way home after we left!

After leaving Grandad's we picked up the dogs from the vet and drove home.  Both dogs had their teeth cleaned and Napoleon had to have a bladder stone removed.  Jerry was supposed to be home by 6 p.m. but his flight was delayed.  He ended up traveling through Iceland and didn't arrive home until 11:30.  He was sooo exhausted!  But it was nice to be back home together!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tomorrow is my birthday and tonight I was surprised with a wonderful evening with my family!  Mom cooked a delicious dinner and dessert, Tyler and his girlfriend Kristyn came over and brought me cards and flowers, and Kristen decorated and planned "Kelly-themed" games for us to play!  We had such a fun time!

They put so many candles on my brownie cake that they couldn't even get them all lit
before the first ones were melting down to the cake top! 
I'm ageing, but I'm not THAT old yet!!!!
Just wait for the payback!!

Helping Craig

Will helped Craig work on his TV when we went to visit.  I don't know
what Craig would have done without Will there!  : )

Swinging Bridge and Lake Moomaw

Today we visited the jiggly bridge (Swinging Bridge) and Lake Moomaw.  It was a little rainy, but we enjoyed ourselves anyway!  It was actually rainy and cool the whole time we were in Covington.  I packed way too many shorts and not nearly enough long pants!

Swinging Bridge in Covington

Will brought me some Mother's Day flowers.

There were so many beautiful little mushrooms and flowers in bloom.

Lake Moomaw

This is where Jerry proposed to me!  Eleven years ago I would have never
believed I would be back here with my own son!