(Those little bumps are Mia, Molly, and Will!)

Running up the stairs? No problem. Climbing down? Barney says “no” (and makes a good argument).

Barney’s bed and crate cover arrived this week. We have been buying him toys here and there. It’s a huge crate, so there’s plenty of room to grow into it. He’s quite happy (and comfy).

It’s just a quick update today. The twins each lost a bottom front tooth today! They thought it was so cool to go through it together.

We went for our first outing with the puppy. He sat in the stroller whenever he got tired. It was adorable!

If you get a puppy, get a crate. You probably already know that, but it is a lifesaver. Barney lets us know when he needs to go outside. He doesn’t whimper anymore during crate time. Mia knows how to put on his leash and bring him out in the backyard, which is SO helpful if I am in the middle of something. I ordered a nice cover and a bed for the crate, using the dimensions. The playroom is rearranged to accommodate it, but he still has lots of time to run around upstairs. It’s a balancing act that I think we have figured out. It helps to have a super smart dog and enthusiastic kids who want to help.

Don’t laugh. This is the first praying mantis I have ever seen:

The kids went screaming mad. Molly actually knew what it was. I think we could turn this into a science lesson, but we’ll stick with my photos. I don’t want to seek that thing out again.

I ordered a bracelet from Bead Fancy to match my emerald ring, and it arrived today (thanks for the arm fuzz detail, macro lens).

Be sure to check out their Facebook page!

Barney continues to be awesome. He is learning things already. He even appears to be helping Snuggle with his hygiene. This is a very good thing.

One of Micah’s co-workers has an extra crate, and said we can have it! I have been reading about the importance of crate training. We are due for a trip to the library, so I am going to look for some good training books. I have to share one more photo of this lovely puppy face. He will be barreling down the hallway at 85 lbs. before we know it.

I will have some news to share in a few weeks, so check back soon!

Meet Barney. His story is… wait for it… legendary (in case you had any doubt about the inspiration behind his name).

We went for a drive after breakfast. I thought we had seen every inch of the county, until I took a sharp right turn in Onondaga. We spotted a huge park, so the kids played at the playground for a while. We were the only ones there! A few miles away, I had a feeling I knew where we were.

I once read a story about Cedarvale Road, also known as “13 Curves”. It is a long, winding road alongside a creek and dense woods. It stands out from most areas in Syracuse. The legend is that in the month of August, in the 1940s, a newly married couple was driving at night down Cedarvale Road. The groom lost control of the car and crashed, killing them both. Many websites boast tales of “ghost sightings” on the road, particularly on Halloween Night, when the bride can be seen wandering in her wedding gown.

We continued on for a few miles, and then Micah spotted a sign:

I don’t know what compelled me to turn around. Micah rang the doorbell, and they directed him to the back yard. I followed behind with the kids, not sure what to expect. There had been 9 puppies, and 3 were left. The puppies were half rottweiler and half black lab. Micah had a dog of the same mix when he was young, and she was awesome. That was the deciding factor. We picked up the last male, who was super cuddly, and decided to take him home!

It’s an interesting experience when you bring a dog into a large household. No one has the strong reaction you’d expect. Lily and Tinsel were apathetic. Snuggle just wanted to play. The twins were in shock, and Will went into a weird fit of jealousy. Still, it was unanimous: The puppy had found his forever home. He’s 7 weeks old, so it will be a while before he’s eager to play and fully house trained. He cries when I leave the room! I never thought I’d be a “dog person”, but Barney is special. We have bonded!

Micah has been on the phone all afternoon, getting training advice from his family. They are experts!

Barney: Kid tested, Snuggle approved: