update on the the biting incident.

On Tuesday, July 7th, the infamous biting incident occurred when Hayden bit his friend at school (http://melner.blogspot.com/2009/07/incident-report-hayden-biter.html).

I thought I would provide everyone with a little update to the situation… and I have to say that so far, there has not been a reoccurrence! YAY!

In addition, if you remember, I had asked you whether or not I should write a note to the “victim’s family”… the vast majority of you said “no” (only one person said that they would write a note or something)… well I have to say, that I went against the majority and wrote a note. (In addition, I had Hayden draw a little picture for the victim which I enclosed in the envelope that I put the letter in.)

Here is exactly what I wrote (so you can see what a dork I truly am):

"I realize that this little letter & drawing is extremely unnecessary; however, I feel bad about the biting incident and writing this little note of apology and having Hayden draw a picture for “Sam” makes me feel better about the whole thing. Plus, I think it’s teaching Hayden a small lesson in apologizing – making him realize that biting is not okay ad when he does it there are consequences.

Anyways, I’m sure there are no hard feelings – at least I am fairly confident in that. Well, I hope all is well and that you have a fabulous day. Hopefully it won’t happen again – although I can’t guarantee it (unfortunately).
- Melissa (and Hayden)"

And here is the picture that Hayden drew: So, I put the letter in the child’s cubby Thursday (the 9th), and I didn’t see his mom again until the past Tuesday (the 14th). The first thing she said to me when we saw each other was, “thank you for the little note. it was very sweet of you.” I explained to her how I had asked people whether or not I should have written the note and that most people had said not to… she said that indeed it wasn’t necessary, but it was still a sweet gesture.

So… I am glad I didn’t make a complete fool of myself and that the mom doesn’t think that I am a complete loon. I am even happier that Hayden hasn’t bit again since.

i made dinner!

Monday night, Jamie and Ryan came over for dinner. We have been doing this for a few months now: making it a point to get together, scheduling date nights. It has been great. They come over here and we eat dinner, chat, and play with Hayden (well, really we are entertained by Hayden).
In the past, we have ordered pizza, cooked oven-meals, and once Jamie even made manicotti (I LOVE her manicotti – it is AMAZING). Well, this was our last gathering before Baby Parker arrives (Jamie is die August 1st), so I wanted to make this meal special (after the baby arrives we plan on visiting them for awhile and then who knows how our date nights will be "re-worked").

Anywho, so to make this meal special I made something. I readily admit that I am not a cook. I do not do it. I eat bars, uncrustable sandwiches, rice, ready-made-meals, etc.. (I know Grandma – this is not a good quality!)…

But regardless of this little flaw of mine, I made something and it was GOOD!...

It was a pasta: something easy that I could do. I got the recipe from a magazine that my sister had given me (thanks Mary!).

There were only 5 ingredients and it was seriously easy (here is a link to the website with the ingredients, instructions, and even nutrition information: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/spinach-pasta-toss-112862.aspx).

Oh, and here is a picture (from the website). Mine looked pretty similar though…

On the side, we also had bread and salad (which I did not make – I mean, a put the bread in the oven (and took it out when it was ready) and Randy tossed the salad – after taking the salad items from the bag).

Nevertheless… the meal was delicious and I am proud of myself. I will be making this pasta again!

one of my favorite performances on So You Think You Can Dance so far this season

One of my favorite dances so far this season was on last Wednesday's episode.

It featured Kayla and Kupono performing a contemporary piece choreographed by Mia Michaels. It was about addiction. Kupono is the addiction and Kayla is the addict. It is amazing. Check it out:

happy birthday mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! I am sure she won't be reading this anytime soon (she isn't very good at checking my blog, plus she is the chaplain this week at Ferncliff - a Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center near Little Rock, Arkansas).

But I still wanted to give her a "shout out"... I LOVE you mom!!! And don't worry, I'm not going to share how old you are turning!

And here are some pictures:

Mom with Hayden... This picture is from about a year ago at my parents' Lakehouse... I think it is a precious picture

This is a recent picture of my mom and dad from my sister's wedding a few weeks ago (I know that she really liked this picture of the two of them - and I have to agree... it is a keeper!)

And here is my mom and I (that might not be gramatically correct, so I apologize if it is wrong)... This picture is from a few months ago (my mom likes my hair straight so I think she would appreciate this particular photo)

smucker's uncrustables peanut butter & strawberry jam sandwich

I am not a cook. I eat a lot of things I probably shouldn't... oh well. So far, so good. I eat a lot of bars... as many people know and tease me about (especially Mary and Clark). One quick, easy thing that I love that is NOT a bar are these 'Uncrustables'...
They are SO freaking yummy! And SO easy!!! Two things that go far in my book...

Anywho, these sandwiches really are super yummy! And all you do to "make" them is take the sandwich out of the freezer and thaw it (which takes about 45 minutes to an hour). Then, once it is thawed you eat it. Pretty freaking simple!... And again, SO YUMMY!!!

horsing around... popi and hayden.

At the lakehouse, Hayden found Popi to be an excellent "horse" and proceeded to tell him to "giddy up" and "go faster"... here they are horsing around:

And he's been bucked!...

my "obese" dog.

Alfie had his yearly check-up earlier this week with the vet and everything is great, except that he is obese... seriously... I am not kidding.

Last year the doctor said he was too big and overweight, and again when I took him in for some issue this past December he once again mentioned that Alfie needed to lose some weight... and he hasn't. He weighs 14 lbs. Not bad right? But considering that he should weigh about 10 lbs, that 4 lb. difference means that he weighs 40% above his ideal weight (which is significant: a dog is considered obese when it weighs 20% or more above its ideal weight).

The doctor recommended a "weight loss program" utilizing the drug 'slentrol' which will decrease his appetite. His weight will be monitored and he will take some liquid medicine every day which will hopefully help him shed some pounds.

I'm still debating whether or not to do this, but I'm leaning towards 'yes'. Obesity is an issue, even in dogs. The doctor said that once the weight is on there like this, there really isn't much that you can do to lose the weight (without the assistance of medication). Exercise and a decrease in food usually doesn't allow for the weight loss that is needed in his situation... so my poor "little" chunky puppy may be going on a serious diet... wish him luck!