My Girls

My girls never really liked dolls. Well, Peyton did for maybe two years. Hailey never. They are all about animals. They talk about and know facts about animals that I've never even heard exist. It's a wonder they have so many stuffed animals in their rooms, on their beds, in their closets, etc. 

So it was no surprise when both Peyton and Hailey put National Geographic Kids on their Xmas lists. Well, I thought we didn't need both so when Hailey was lucky enough to get a subscription from her Godmother for Xmas, I suggested they share. That didn't exactly go over great at first but once they agreed that Hailey could look at it first when it came in the mail, then their sharing got much better. 

The first issue came in the mail just after the new year and they were so excited to receive it and each scour through the details learning more about their favorite living creatures. In fact, the other day, I couldn't find Hailey and walked into the office to find her quietly reading her National Geographic Magazine. My little animal lover(s)!

Passing the Time

What to do when you have no sports and nothing is open. Go to Michigan of course! We've been there a lot lately. There's not much to do there either since it's shut down too but it's a change of venue nevertheless!

Lately, we've been exposing the kids to a variety of college campuses. We have time, it's outside so why not? So two weekends ago when we were in Michigan we took a little trip to Notre Dame (about an hour from our house in Michigan). I had been there when I was just a little younger than Austen but hadn't really been back since. I was quite impressed. Well, Notre Dame is certainly an impressive institution but the campus felt very east coast (which I like). But it also was smaller than I remembered too. I thought Notre Dame had a much larger student body but when I looked it up they had just over 8,000 students. What a difference from where Tom and I went to school. Still very impressive and their campus downtown was pretty much all new and very nice. Still Austen wasn't that impressed. He said it was okay but he wanted a Big 10 school. (I feel like we are biasing him a little bit given the two of us are Big 10 alums!).  I think he's visited 7 college campuses now at age 14 and his favorite is Michigan (if he can get in there) and then Indiana (love it!) but of course much of this depends on what he plans to major in. He's interested in engineering and of course Indiana does not offer engineering. You have to go to Purdue for that and I said that's the only college I won't allow him to attend (just kidding)! He still thinks he wants to play soccer in college too so we'll see how that plays out over the next couple of years. He's a smart kid so I'm happy with him just going to college for college.

Round Barn Winery Walk

Now that we've visited many college campuses close to Michigan, we had to think of some other outdoor activities. So we repeated a favorite from last year, pre-COVID - tubing! It only took us 2 hours after waiting in line to get on the hill but it was worth it and a lot of fun too! Hailey's feet were cold so she had to take a break (Dad packed the wrong boots) but otherwise we tubed for a good two hours. Hoping to get more skiing in too this season but the crowds are crazy since skiing is one of the only things people can do during winter and COVID has certainly made it more popular. Rentals run out early and the lines are insane. 

We also went to Round Barn Winery which has trails you can walk all year long and bring your dog. The trails travel through the woods and their vineyards and take you to another winery on a scenic 3-5 mile roundtrip walk. We got our hiking boots and some hot mulled wine for Tom and me (hot cocoa for the kids) and added this to our weekend activities. Sadie had just had surgery so she couldn't venture far (we put her back in the car after her short period of exercise) but it was nice to know that when she recovers we can bring her back here. Yet another thing to do in Pure Michigan!

Since more restaurants and facilities just opened now in both Illinois and Michigan, we're hoping we'll have more to do in the winter when we head up there. Sports have also started back again so it's safe to safe our trips up there will be a lot fewer too. But we are sure glad we've had Michigan to escape to during this long year. 

Notre Dame Famous Grotto

Notre Dame!

Tubing and the Magic Carpet!

Hailey's Toasty Toes

Sadie Undergoes Stem Cell Treatment

It's been almost two weeks now since Sadie underwent her stem cell surgery. They completely put her out to be able to harvest her good cells and clean them then reinject them into her body. She had this done in one day at a vet in the city. I dropped her off in the morning and picked her up in the evening. This is about the third time she's been under anesthesia so I've seen her in this state before but this time she was a little more doped up and couldn't even walk. It took 3 vet techs to put her in the back of my car. When I got her home, Tom and I slid a blanket underneath her to carry her up the stairs and into our house. Keep in mind she weighs 105 lbs. She's not small. Coming out of the anesthesia was a little rough for her as she cried some that night. I slept downstairs with her as we couldn't bring her up another flight of stairs and it would be easier to get her outside if she had to go to the bathroom. Day 2 she started to slowly come out of it and then we saw a miracle happen. Just kidding. There was no miracle. But she started leaking blood and fluid from her stitches a few days later so I had to bring her back in so they could treat her to prevent any type of infection. That lasted a few days and I think we're over the hump now. Stitches come out this weekend. 

As for the surgery, we found out a few things. One she does not have arthritis which is good news (she had an xray of her hips prior to surgery and they said her hips looked great). She was misdiagnosed at the ER vet we went to in the city 1.5 years ago. But she has been suffering from knee tears for 1.5 years. So the stem cell is going toward treating her knee tears and then we banked some stell cells for future treatments if needed including for her Wobblers if we want to use it for that later. About two weeks post surgery, her knees are healing. You can tell she's actually putting weight on them now where before she would definitely toe tap and not want to put them down especially after sitting for a long while. Now she gets off the couch herself and bounds over to her food bowl. I'd say the improvement is about a 2 or 3 on a 10-point scale. She will need another injection in one month and we've been told that 90 percent of patients treated with stem cell do before they see any really good signs of improvement. She's doing well though and on her way to being a healthier dog in 2021.

She looks very comfy

Incision Site

Austen Turns 14!

Yesterday, we celebrated Austen's 14th birthday. Hard to believe that next year at this time he'll be eligible to get his drivers permit. The years certainly go fast and I'm sure the next four years leading up to college will go even faster. 

Austen is definitely turning into a full-fledged teenager. Lots of eye-rolls, being mean to his sister (Peyton), hiding out in his room or playing video games with friends (which is happening only because he has lots of free time with no sports due to the pandemic). He definitely has strong opinions now about what he will and won't wear and how he wants to do his hair. He doesn't want to wear a coat to school because none of these kids wear coats and in freezing temps. It's just hoodies and sweatpants all day long. So it didn't surprise me when he was very specific about what he wanted for his birthday. 

It started with his request for french toast casserole for breakfast. Then he wanted his hot ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch. He wanted me to drive him to school so he didn't have to walk (wearing no coat) and pick him up. Then it was his favorite snack - nutella and banana wrapped in a tortilla and sliced just so. After he finished his homework, he wanted to go to Top Golf for dinner and some fun (that worked out well since it was one of the few places where we could be outside, enjoy dinner and have fun while still being warm due to their heated bays). 

He had a lot of fun at Top Golf. Probably only made better if his friends could come. But he got lots of presents from golf clothes, glove and balls to some more hoodies and a new baseball bat and glove to lots of gift cards and money from family. He said he had a great birthday made better by me allowing him to finally get Instagram and by his friends all posting Happy Birthday messages to him on Snap Chat. I told him when you get older, it's your friends who really make your birthday special too. He's lucky to have a group of 8 boys that he hangs out with who are all good friends. We'll see if that lasts when he turns 15 and they all head to high school. For now though, he's enjoying being a 14 year old boy amid the pandemic even though it has limited his sports and he had to miss the fall cross country season and likely his spring volleyball one for his middle school. Hoping we will be able to see him graduate from middle school in late spring/early summer as well as watch him play his multitude of sports this spring.

Peyton Turns 11!

We spent Peyton's 11th birthday in Michigan just like the previous three years. However, unlike the previous three years there wasn't much to do up there due to the pandemic and the weather. Movie theaters shut down, restaurants inside seating closed and many other indoor things to do like museums were just not open. Couple that with some not so great weather including rain and icy conditions and hikes and ski resorts were not even options. So we had to rethink our plans most of the week we were up there. 

We watched some movies, played a fun new board game called Catan (multiple times) as well as the Nintendo Switch Jack Box games (even more times) and the kids even built a snowman. The highlight of our day was getting outside for some exercise when Sadie needed a walk but even that was treacherous for all of us due to icy conditions so we knew Peyton's birthday plans needed a revamp. 

Skiing was what she really wanted to do but it was not an option on her birthday due to the rain so instead, two days before, Tom and I spent a good while on the phone trying to track down one of those domed outdoor dining tents to eat in to at least have something to do that day to make it special. Finally, I was able to secure a last minute cancellation on a place that had good reviews in Grand Rapids so at least we had something!

Do you want to build a snowman?

Peyton started off her morning with a breakfast ring that she requested complete with scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. Next she opened all her presents and cards. Then she requested some iPad time so she got some of that. We played a game and then got ready to make the 45-minute drive to Grand Rapids where we had time before our early dinner to walk Sadie at a nearby park. It had just snowed too so the trail we found (a bit north and out of the rain) was beautiful with snow still glistening on the tree branches. It was a bit cool so after a quick drive around town, we headed to our reservation (Sadie stayed in the car since no dogs allowed) where we were seated in a large, teepee-like tent outfitted with heaters. We thought it was going to be a dome igloo but this was a bit more spacious. The food was really good and it was nice to get out and do something special for Peyton. 

After dinner, we went home to enjoy the birthday cake Peyton picked out and we had ordered from Meijer. Tom had to draw Peyton an Australian Shepherd on the cake and he did a great job so she was happy. The night wasn't over yet as she requested we watch the movie "Eight Below" with Paul Walker. She had a great day despite the pandemic and was much loved by her friends (her best friend Face Timed her) and her family (thanks for all the messages and calls!). She felt very special and much loved. 

I'm going to sign off with my all time favorite cards to her from Austen and Peyton. Each written to her separately: 

Dear Peyton, 

You were the best sister ever. Some days are tough when you don't get something but look at the childs there poor. So think about them have nothing. Ok. Let's go. Your going to be the best sister ever. 

Love, Hailey

 

Dear Peyton,

Happy Birthday. I hope you get all the presents you asked for and the weather so we can all ski. You are very annoying sometimes but that's what makes a family and without you this family wouldn't be as funny. Happy Birthday Peyton and hope this day is the best day in 2020. 

Love, Austen

A new backpack!

More presents!

Peyton's favorite breakfast

Hailey's card to Petyon

Dining in the tent

Austen's card for Peyton