SOFIA DISCOVERS SNOW

Snow Bunny . . .
Blowing up the snow tube . . .

Getting ready to brave the cold . . .

Heading into the wilderness . . .

Happiness . . .

Play . . .

A wonderful, happy day!

CHRISTMAS 2008

I've got the order of the following pictures a bit out of sequence, but it all happened during this lovely Christmas time.

Meredith, Clyde and Sofia opened their house to our Christmas Eve ravioli dinner tradition this year, and it was lovely. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera and have no pictures of how pretty it was, but if you access Meredith & Clyde's blog, you can see it there.

Christmas morning, Santa had visited Sofia at her house with wonderful toys and merriment. Later in the day, the young Quicks and Mom & Dad came up to our house for our family gift exchange and dinner.

This was a particularly cute moment. Sofia was opening presents and was told that this one was from Great Grandma & Great Grandpa. So she got up and took it to them. They are explaining to her here, that the present is for her:

Sofia got a toy that plays her all-time favorite top 40 hit "A-B-C-D-E-F-G". It was a show-stopper as we heard many encores.

Sofia's Mummy and Daddy gave her her first car, complete with cell phone. A BIG hit!

You can see by the cute feet showing under the car, that this car is environmentally safe, as it runs on foot power.

Dylan's cousins, Jeeves and Barclay, gave Dylan a racoon and some edible goodies, none of which he was willing to share . . .

The day after Christmas, Clyde, Meredith and Sofia invited us on a trip to the snow and then to their house for dinner and to play with Clyde's new WII toy. Great fun and a yummy meal.

Taking rubber bands out the hair to get ready for bed.

Good night Sof, and thank you for the wonderful holiday!

COLDS

Our whole family has been passing a cold around. At least we get some snuggle time out of it.

TODAY

We have a cardinal rule around here to "let sleeping children lie". However, Sofia is still adjusting to jet lag and her sleep schedule is a bit off. She went down for a nap at 1:30 today and at 4:10 we actually went in the room and woke her from a sound sleep. We were afraid her Mummy & Daddy wouldn't get her to sleep until way into the night if we didn't break our rule and get her up. The outcome was a sweet, cuddly time watching Sesame Street together.

One of Sofia's most requested activities with us is "burkas" -- which translates to "may we go see family pictures on the computer"?

Sofia has discovered her pockets. She put puzzle pieces and her little lamb in and out of her pockets all day. She walked with her hands in her pockets as well.

They just don't come any cuter than this!

SANTA SONG

A little something Sofia learned from her "Wiki" cousins.

SOFIA'S HOME

Sofia (and her Mummy and Daddy) are home from New Zealand where Sofia got to meet and spend a grand time with her kiwi family.

We carry a little heaviness of heart that such a big ocean divides you. Thank goodness for safe air travel and your ability to take advantage of it.

We missed you, Sof. It's so much fun to see you again. And, just as beautiful and sweet as ever.

Welcome home Meredith, Clyde and Sofia. Your critters missed you and so did we.

WINTER SCOOTERING

How much do you think Clyde loves riding his scooter? It takes almost as long to suit-up for his ride to school in the morning as it does to ride there. And it's COLD!

I always remind Clyde to ride carefully - and he does. I just can't ask him not to do something he loves so much.

VENTURING OUT

Jeeves has finally ventured out . . .
. . . now the fur will surely begin to fly!

WHAT'S NEW AT THE ZOO

Jeeves and Barclay are here with us, while Meredith, Clyde and Sofia are in New Zealand. So, here's an update for them.

Jeeves has enjoyed tuna treats on three different days . . .
. . . and enjoyed it so much, he couldn't stop licking his "lips".

He likes his scratching post and Sofia's crib, but still won't come out of his room.

Since establishing territory in the back bathroom on the very first day, Barclay has been a perfect gentleman.

Quite often, I have both dogs settled in at my feet while I read. Dylan has accepted Barclay as a fact of his life and has been considerably calmer than he is when Barclay spends his daytime-only visits with us.

Although we think there is an element of "stay out of my turf" during play periods, Barclay's tail and Dylan's rump are wagging during these times. And though there has been some growling and baring of teeth, no blood has yet been drawn.

Barclay could use some attitude adjustment when meeting other dogs on the trail, but he otherwise enjoys walks with us on the lovely sunny days we're having.

So, all is well here at the zoo. Hope you are having as good a time as your critters are.