Riley was a search and rescue subject today

My friend Randi is training her dog as a search and resuce dog. Ali'i is almost completely certified and is now working on 48 hour old trails. So she asked if the kids would like to help Ali'i train and they and they were both excited about it. So Saturday morning we met at a park withou Ali'i and basically walked all over the place and left a trail. Then we went back tonight and Riley and I waited at the designated spot. While Scott and Zachary went along to see Ali'i in action. Zachary got to hold the GPS device that Randi would use when they were out in the wilderness.

Riley and I just waited and watched. It really was amazing to see Ali'i following the same path that we took two days ago even though countless people had been through that park over the holiday weekend.

Then when Ali'i found Riley she got to reward him with his treats and the kids got to play with him for a while. Now Zachary wants to be the subject next time and Riley wants to go along while he tracks.

I'm so sleepy today

Scott and I were up until 11 last night watching the season finale of Lost. Then while watching the 11 o'clock news we had an earthquake. Not a big one, but it was 3.8 and centered right near our house. Then a few minutes later there was another one. So then I was so tense.... waiting..... waiting for the next one that I did not go to bed until after 1 am. I did manage to finish the book I was reading, but now I'm so sleepy today and I have a headache. I always end up with a headache when I don't get enough sleep. Oh and it did not help that both kids and both dogs were up at 6 am tromping through the house like a herd of elephants. LOL!

My boy is not quite as old as he was yesterday

It's so strange to see Zachary's struggles back and forth from... I'm too old to need you back to being the little boy I knew. Just yesterday we were struggling with his attitude and him shrugging away when I would put my arm around him, etc. Then he wakes up today and is telling me how much he loves me, that I'm a great mom and giving me tons of hugs. Even when we went out for a walk he came up and took my hand. It was such a nice moment that I dare not point it out for fear it would end. We walked that way for the longest time. He is growing up so fast and I'm already seeing how his friends are becoming more and more important and influential, but then there are those wonderful moments when my boy is back and I know that he still needs us.

We have an armadillo in our house

Every day Riley is a new animal. We have had a tiger climbing the sofa, a bunny hopping through the house, a kitty rubbing on our legs, a puppy bouncing through the house, you name it… she has been it. Today she is an armadillo. She popped about of bed this morning and said, “mama today I’m an armadillo, but I don’t know what to eat.” I told her that I did not know what armadillos eat and she said very seriously, “but mama how can I be an armadillo if I don’t know what to eat?” So we discussed what armadillos look like and where they live. She said that armadillos have long claws and like to dig so we came to the conclusion that they must eat bugs and worms as part of their diet. So she had bugs and worms for breakfast which was really waffles and blueberries. I tell you she has quite the imagination. So my little armadillo is off to school and tonight we will read the armadillo books that I checked out from the library and YES, they do eat worms and bugs among other things.

My best Mother's day present

Riley wrote a journal entry that her teacher typed up for me and Riley gave it to me for Mother's day. So here is what she wrote

My Mom by Riley Johnson

My mama is special because she brings me books from the library. She is kind of like me. She loves me a whole lot. She makes good food and buys me strawberries. Her hugs are warm and cozy. I love my mama!

Awww, I told Scott that I will be very sad when I no longer get things like this on Mother's day. Zachary is already way past that and I know those days are just around the corner for Riley. It makes me appreciate this all the more. Riley even made a home made banner that said "I love you" and taped it up before I got up, made streamers to decorate and gave me tons of hugs/kisses and I love you's all day long. I couldn't ask for more.

Laguna Beach

We spent our afternoon at Laguna beach. The kids had fun playing in the waves and I wish we had brought their suits. I figured the water would still be too cold for swimming, but it was actually very warm.

So Zachary and Riley just chased the waves and played in the sand instead. They both had a great time doing that and Scott and I loved watching them play together.

Then we visited the tide pools and looked for sea anenomies and hermit crabs. There are not nearly as many as I remember seeing when Scott and I were dating (almost 20 years ago). I think too many people visit the tide pools and do not follow the rules about not disturbing the sea life or taking anything away with you.

Here is one small tide pool and if you look closely you can make out the anenomies on the left side.

On our way home we stopped at the pacific marine mammal center. They rescue, rehabilitate and release sea lions, seals and elephant seals. We learned a lot from our very helpful volunteer. Zachary may even attend a summer camp there where he will learn to care for, feed and clean up after the animals. They have a website with a live webcam at http://www.pacificmmc.org/

GOAL!

I'm walking this Sunday in the March of Dimes walkamerica and I finally reached my fundraising goal of $3,500. I did not think I was going to make it since I received some pledges and did not receive the checks, but in the end other pledges came in at the last minute. WOO HOO! This is the most I have ever raised for MOD. I'm always relieved when the walk weekend finally arrives because I spend two solid months so focused on fundraising and I become more and more obsessed with it as the date approaches. So I can now hang up my fundraising belt till next year.