A picture a year (chronologically arranged).

Princess, then barely a couple of months old, came to our family as Natasha’s fourth birthday gift and was a constant companion of the kids throughout the years. We bade adieu to her this weekend.

Since he gets to sleep in our beds , it is only fair that we get to try his bed!! Jay Jay is not exactly amused though!

Our first dog, Princess was never allowed to get up on chairs or sofas or any other furniture. She got trained very quickly to not climb up any of those stuff. For thirteen years, we have had no challenges whatsoever.

Now we get a new puppy Jay Jay and guess what happens? Not only is he being allowed to climb up chairs and sofas, evidently he is sleeping in our beds too! With full encouragement from the family members!!! Princess can’t believe what she is seeing!!!

Some of you may remember my handwritten notes for the girls that I had put up on the fridge before I left for India. The ones with sharper memory might even recollect that one of my instructions was to keep the shoes in the shoe closet and leave the floor for the purpose of walking. Well, that has been a struggle for a long time.

At home I am the one who likes keeping everything back in their proper places and the girls like to just infuriate me. By not putting everything back in their proper places. Especially shoes. Given that we live in the forest, we do get some occasional bugs here and there in our house. No problem!!! There is at least a couple of shoes within spitting distance regardless of where you find the bug.

At one point, I got even some elaborate shelves built in our garage with a lot of space for every family member to entice them to keep shoes back in their places. Want to guess which shelves have more shoes out and around them than inside?

Then again, sometimes, problems have a way of sorting themselves out.

On that note, please meet our new family member – Jay Jay – a mix of cocker spaniel and a terrier. He is the one closer to you in the picture. The other one is Princess – our thirteen year old Maltese. You will be amazed how a three month old puppy’s unyielding energy to chew anything and everything in its eyesight can quickly bring shoe discipline at your home.

Evidently, all these days, I was simply “barking” up the wrong tree!

Enough said!!

Taking advantage of 70 degree temperatures and abundant sunlight, Nikita tried her hand at chalk paintings all over the driveway. Here is her chalk rendition of our dog Princess. Few minutes after taking this picture, Princess actually came by. She does not look like she was amused 🙂

Sunday morning trail walk with Nikita and Princess. Today’s math lessons were percentages!!