Speaking of Spelling Bees, Dresses and Sick Dogs

Duncan was in the school spelling bee today! He did okay-he made it through the third round, which was disappointing to him, but I was very proud. The kids fell quickly too- there were 20 kids to start with, and by the fourth round, they were down to 5. And he brought his own brand of Duncan-ness to it too. Every time he got a word right, he would look at me and give me a big thumbs up, or a bravo sign, hands together and waving them in the air. I was just proud of him to be up there, giving it a go. And he really is a good speller. They have sections in spelling that you can work your way through, kind of at your own speed, and he has already completed all the sections he was supposed to work on all year. Guess he takes after Alisa, who won the school spelling bee in 4th grade. She complains I don't mention her enough, so there is her shout out for the day.

Speaking of Alisa, we just got back from dress shopping for the winter dance that is coming up next week. We wound up bringing home TWO dresses, because she couldn't decide which one she wanted, and she was going to be late for work. Then, after we got home, she couldn't find her shoe, and she stomped off to work, late and mad and wearing uncomfy shoes. Maggie Dog cannot resist a shoe kicking around the floor without a foot in it, and always ALWAYS carries them off. She doesn't chew on them, just drops them in unlikely places, and leaves us constantly one shoe short.

Speaking of Maggie, she is one sick puppy. Not to be indelicate, but she is barfing all over the place. She had to spend most of the day in the backyard, and can I just say that dog is a pro at looking pitiful. She insists on sitting in the one spot on the back patio where the melting snow dripping off the roof will hit her on the head, and where, when you look out the kitchen window, her big brown eyes will meet yours with her head cocked at just the right angle for looking most forlorn. Then, when we brought her in this afternoon, Mitch found a big old lump on her front leg. That can't be good. Poor old dog.