Just a Man and His Dog

This is a familiar scene.  Charlie boy loves his master.  He used to love me the most, but he started loving Mike more several years ago.  He considers him the alfa and takes any and all the love and affection he can get in return.

 He seeks Mike out and forces his way into whatever situation he can.  Mike doesn't love or need the attention and that's probably why Charlie tries even harder to please him.  It's a vicious cycle.  We all wish Charlie would attach himself to the kids instead, but he just doesn't.  

We all like to think of the irony of their relationship.  Charlie has imprinted on the one who wanted him the least.  Silly dog.

Grill Master?

 Nathan has been wanting to learn how to use the grill.  I guess he sees how much glory can come from standing out there for a few minutes.  Mom does all the work and the griller gets all the glory.  :)

Start to finish, he made some great hot dogs tonight!  Way to go Grill Boy!

A Teenager's Version of Pink Sparkly Shoes

 Allie has always liked shoes.  She has a mom that doesn't really care.  If I could, I'd wear the same pair of shoes for every occasion.

This year, she got these shoes for her birthday and was so excited.  It reminded me of when she was turning 3 and was thrilled to get a pair of pink sparkly shoes (from a fellow shoe lover of a neighbor).  She's had these shoes for a week now and it thrills me to see how happy she is about them.  I told her that it reminded me of the pink "flops" and as I told her, I realized that these shoes are her teenager version of the pink flops.  She just really likes shoes and it makes her really happy to have these ones.  :)