A Little Bit of Christmas

We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house with Murphy and Meredith and her family. After lots of food goodies we settled down to unwrap gifts. Uncle Murphy won the award for the best presents this year. He gave Adrian a V-tech toy that looks a lot like a smart phone and does all kinds of interesting things - really cool. And he gave Andrew a neat book that also has these buttons on the side that make noises to correspond to the stories within. Also cool. And in minutes, toys had changed hands and Andrew was making off with Adrian's new V-tech! After a quick lesson in sharing, Adrian took control of his impulses and allowed Andrew time to play with his toy. What a good brother!

He is more concerned with all the neat sounds coming out of the toy than actually trying to make it work. That's going to take the efforts of a four year old!

Andrew's book has just enough interest to give Adrian the impetus to be a sharing older brother. He has another similar one at home. And of course, by Sunday, the newness had worn off just enough that both boys were content to take turns with each toy.

Savannah was genuinely happy that she had no one with whom to share her new toy. By bedtime the squeaky had been dismantled! She was very happy that Santa remembered her this year.

A Merry Westie Christmas!

From all appearances, this Westie looks like she's sleeping off a wild and wacky Christmas morning! The truth is, she's just resigned herself to letting her Mama take her picture with a crazy Santa hat!

Such love... Such dedication!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Merry Christmas, Savannah.

Christmas Eve on the Wild Side

Despite a veiled forecast of snow for Christmas in San Antonio, Saturday morning brought about only cold rain that lasted pretty much the whole day. Feeling in a Christmas mood, and just a little sad for the critters in the backyard who weren't having a Christmas meal, I set up an umbrella on the garden cart by the pool and put some wild bird seed in a large pottery dish for the birds. What happened after that can only be described as "A Walk on the Wild Side."

The cast of characters:

Momma Red Bird, who bravely entered the shelter for food.

Cowardly Poppa Red Bird, who let Momma check out the "trap."

The Stealthy Squirrel, undaunted by the presence of Momma Bird, but determined to remove said squatter from the premises.

In a matter of minutes the drama began, as Momma ate her fill and Poppa watched from afar, Brave (and Rascally) little Squirrel began making his move. From the top of the bench he quickly ran down to the pool pavement ....

 and frightened away both Momma and Poppa Red Bird.

With determination in each step, Squirrel makes his way toward a cache of coveted birdseed.

Success! I guess he figured if the trap didn't swallow Momma Bird, all would be safe for him to come and partake of his own Christmas dinner.

And because it was cold and rainy, Savannah was content - well maybe not content, but certainly intent on watching the show from her warm and dry perch atop the sofa in the TV room. Ah, winter!

First Blast of Winter

Our forecast on the news last night was for "below freezing" temps so we diligently covered the lemon tree and brought in the cactus bush. All the pipes have been wrapped and the pool pump was turned on for the night. So it was no surprise this morning to find ice in the bird bath! Poor birdies! I think the official temperature was 27 degrees, but as of 10:00 this morning it is already above freezing.

One member of our family was not too happy about the cold! Savannah, who usually shoots out the door like a rock in a slingshot, actually waited for me to put her warm fleece jacket on before venturing outside. She checked the squirrel feeder before "taking care of business" and heading right back inside. I hear about Westies who love rolling in the snow and getting "snow cone noses" and I wonder what would happen if Savannah ever stepped out into some snow!