April 2010

After Easter, the rest of April passed fairly uneventfully. Lovely started basic training class on Friday the 9th, for eight weeks. It’s not that intensive – I think the training is as much for the owners as the dogs. I looked into a variety of training classes and operations and decided to go with the local PetSmart class, mostly because they were kid-friendly. A few of the other places wouldn’t allow children under 8 to take part, which would cut Button our. But here, we all go into the classroom and we all take turns working with Lovely. The instructor is obviously aware that the kids need to learn how to handle her as much as anyone.

The Sunday after Easter we again had a crowd, but this time I didn’t cook up a storm, mostly just thawed things from the freezer. It was still great! What was most fun was that there were eight kids and just six grown-ups, so all but the two littlest kids got to sit at their own table to eat. After lunch we again traipsed through the woods and by the pond. It’s practically a Sunday tradition!

The kids started swimming lessons mid-month. Button’s in Level 3 and Mustang in Level 4. They haven’t had lessons since the end of summer last year, but they seem to be enjoying it and doing well. I’m so glad Mustang has lost her fear of the deep end and is now quite happy to head off there for diving and jumping fun.

We had two arts excursions in April – saw a children’s theatre show and a kids’ concert, both very fun. Friend Chuckles and I also took in a play one evening, while friend L babysat the kids.

Nanny’s birthday was near the end of the month. The kids and I baked a cake and decorated it all up for her (seeing as she would be with us for supper). Their present for her was a Webkinz ferret – since she has a real ferret for a pet! – and we made her a card.