Resolutions...

Even though I declare one every year about this time...I've never been a big fan of "New Years Resolutions."  Most of the time, I feel as if I'm purposely setting myself up to fail.  Last year's resolution was to run my first 5k.  I am proud to say, I actually accomplished this resolution.  Well, kind-of-sorta.  I ran my first 5k...on my treadmill...in the safety of my own home..sparing the public from having to see my body, it all it's glory, running.  I didn't "officially" run in a 5k with an "official" time or get one of those "official" 5k t-shirts you get when you've finished a race.  But, I did run non-stop for 3.1 miles.  Which is something I hadn't done in a LONG time!  So, even though I maybe setting myself up for a little disappointment by year's end, here are a few things I would like to "complete" or, at least, "attempt to complete" before the end of 2012!

1. Run a 10k
2. Clean and organize the garage
3. Clean and organize the guest bedroom closet
4. Learn how to knit
5. Lower my blood pressure by 10 points (hopefully training for number 1 will help me with this!)
6. Read at least one book a month
7. Use only organic and natural ingredients in my cooking (something I'm so close to doing!)
8. Blog more consistently! 

So, there you go.  We will see how good I am at achieving these goals.  I'm hoping since I've declared them for all the public to see, I might be a little more motivated! 

It's A Doggie Dog Life..

So, for as long as Evan has been able to crawl, one of his favorite things to do is crawl into Max and Paddy's crates.  I use to stop him in the beginning.  But, these days I know better and I realize I have to pick my battles.  So, as long as the crates are clean (I'm pretty obsessive about that...) and the dogs don't mind, I don't mind.  This is Evan at about 8 months - the very first time he crawled into Paddy's crate.  He was absolutely beyond excited and proud of himself.

And, these days "dog" is one of the few words in Evan's limited, but always expanding vocabulary.  It sounds more like, "Doe" but Jimmy and I know what he is saying.  It's usually repeatedly said ("doe! doe! doe!") by a very excited Evan while chasing Max and/or Paddy around the house.  He carries around the dog's empty food bowls.  I usually have to go on a hunt for them when it's dinner time.  And, for his birthday, Evan received a cute little puppy dog toy from his Paw Paw and Grandmother (Jimmy's mom and dad) that he has recently become obsessed with.

So, needless to say dogs are a big part of Evan's life at the moment.

I didn't realize exactly how much he had been obseving the dogs and their behaviors.  I just figured he liked to play in their crates and enjoyed chasing them around the house.  But, then a few days ago Jimmy and I found this...

He had put his puppy dog toy in Paddy's cage!  And even shut the door so he wouldn't escape!  It amazes me that he was able to recognize his puppy is a dog like Max and Paddy and that it needed to go to bed like Max and Paddy!  One of the greatest joys I have as being Evan's mom is watching him grow - physically and mentally.  I absolutely love it!

So, now Paddy has a roommate most days!