Halloween Costume

So we were picking up some final parts of the girls costumes tonight, and came across this one!  I thought it was pretty cute and wouldn't bother Ro much because it fit very similar to a vest (a little more cumbersome but not too much). I'll add more pictures on Monday when the whole family is dressed up!

Random Photos

So this month has been pretty crazy at work.  We've had parent teacher conferences, grades due, some trainings and classes that we had to attend...so we've been pretty tired!  I have managed to take some pretty cute photos of Ro throughout the month and thought it would be fun to put them up.  Also, our school photo came back-but I left it at work...it's the first school photo I actually really like!  Until next week when I bring it home, here are ones I've taken around the house and while we are out and about.

 This is Ro showing how great she can balance objects on her head...hehe, yes we are silly!

This is the same day, we had finished leg stretches and Zander was playing blocks next to us. 

 Then she fell asleep on my lap...cute puppy...ok dog...:)

Ro love her Wubba toy...she guards it, even when sleeping.  I guess she really isn't guarding it though, because if you grab her toys she isn't aggressive just expects you to play with her!  So it's more like she's preparing for whomever comes along to play...

This is Ro at Carraba's with Zanes foot (for you mom-haha!)-sorry bit of a joke. 

 So when we went to Petco one day, Anya picked out this frisbee thing because she loves the color green and thought Ro would like it.  Ro LOVES this toy...I couldn't get a picture outside while she was running with it in her mouth covering her eyes (like below) but let me tell you-it's hilarious!!  She can't really see, but she refuses to put in down and grab it differently so she'll run with her head super high trying to see the ground.  When she jumps the rock part at our house she'll almost stop but then jump across really funny like guessing where she'll land. 

Well that's all for today!  I haven't decided if Ro is going to dress up for Halloween with the kids...I wanted to do like me and as grinch (cuz I've been kinda grumpy lately) and her as the dog Max with the antler on his head-but we are off school so I didn't have to dress up and was more occupied getting the girls costumes together.  We'll let you know Monday what we decide! ;)

October

So lots has happened since I last wrote, but it has been so crazy that I never sat down and wrote an entry.  On October 15th, Ro and I went to a fundraiser for Canine Partners of the Rockies called 'Bow Ties and Tails'. 

Even though we are still pretty new as partners and learning how to work together, I think that for the most part we do a pretty good job!  I have to say that I was very proud at how Ro behaved!  Yes, she had her moments of being super excited, but after we calmed down she was awesome!  She looked very nice in her bow tie as well. 

We talked to a few people and looked at all the great auction items!  We almost won some dog massages for Ro, but didn't get back in time to beat the last bidder.  We got to watch a cooking demo (I had never been to one before-though I LOVE watching food network shows).  I finally got to meet George (Barb's husband) and Ro enjoyed seeing them both again.  Here is a photo we had someone take before we left!  Don't we all look good in our bow ties? ;)

On the way home Ro was pretty tired, but I couldn't help but snap another photo of her in her bow tie!!

 While we were there we also got to see one of the puppies in training, it was so cute so I had to snap some photos.  I know that CaPR recently had another litter of puppies that look very similar to Ro when she was a puppy.  If you have a moment, go check out the blog and photos of them!!  http://quinsqrew.blogspot.com/
For now, here is the little guy that was at the event.

School Pictures

Today was picture day at school. I was excited that my two daughters would also be having their first school photo day, but  I always dread this day for myself...I am not a big fan of being on camera by myself.  So reluctantly I went in for my photos before school (staff has photos before school starts).
When I got up to the camera for my turn, I was joking with the photographer as Ro sat patiently nearby saying "I would enjoy this so much more if she could be in the photo with me..."  She quickly replied "Why can't she?  She could be on your lap or something."  Needless to say I was thrilled!  Called her over and she came bounding over and I said "lap" so she placed her paws gently on me and we got to take our picture!
So, now I get to look forward to many more school photo days with me and Ro!  No more awkward photos! :)  Don't worry, I will make sure to post it when we get them back.
On a separate note, the other day Ro was sleeping and I just had to take a picture because it was adorable.  She does sleep this way quite a bit-but this seemed to be exceptionally cute!!

Ro's first field trip

I am so excited that Ro gets to join me and my classes on field trips!  We had our first one together on Friday to the Botanic Gardens.  Because I teach a unit about plants, it is the perfect place to kick start our learning and get the kids thinking about how and where plants grow.  I have a paraprofessional that works in my room for a few hours each day, so she helped me load on the bus and walked Ro on.  Ro had plenty of room to settle down on the floor for our 20 minute ride and she did fabulous! 

Once we got there we separated into our group and began to explore the gardens.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day! The sun was out, but it wasn't super hot so it made it really nice.  I wish I could post more pictures of our day out, but because there are students in the rest of the photos I can't.  :(  We practiced Ro's 'leave' cue by having students drop food near her and she did an excellent job of not eating it.  Ro even did some observations of the plants...

It's a bit blurry because I had to crop the kiddos out, but you can still see how cute she is!  

I also was carrying a water bottle and it kept falling, so she ended up practicing picking things up a lot as well. It was a lot of fun for me being able to spend the day with my students and have Ro along with us.  I knew it was going to be a great bonus having a service dog-but it truly was a dream come true!

Meeting 'Thomas the Tank Engine'

We purchased tickets to 'A Day with Thomas' a few months ago and the girls were super excited to go meet 'Thomas the Tank Engine'!  Unfortunately we had a family situation that Zane had to attend to, so he couldn't join us.  Luckily for us though, Barb was able to join us!  So Barb, Alexis, Anya, Zander, Ro and I went to go meet Thomas.  When we got there we were suddenly sent to a parking lot and had to ride a shuttle over to the museum.  I didn't realize we wouldn't be parking at the museum.  So we had to wait there until they could send the bus that had a lift for me.  THEN it started to rain! When the shuttle got to the museum the driver couldn't figure out how to get the lift to go all the way down.  I was suspended in the air for awhile while Barb had to round up all the kids-it's a good thing she could handle all of them (and Ro!). 
Once we finally made it in we decided that we should run to the bathroom to feed Zander and let Anya go potty.  Seems simple enough, but not so much!!  It was an adventure though, and on the way we saw Sir Topham Hat!  So we got a quick picture with him as well.  After that, Barb took the girls up to see a display train they had and they all rang the bell.  Zander, Ro and I hung out below!

When they were done we could see that Thomas had pulled up and unloaded the train ride before us, so we'd be up soon.  We headed over and on the way I was finding it hard to make sure that Ro didn't eat the kettle corn off the ground.  It was everywhere!!  So we will have to make sure to work on that...
On the train Ro went under the seats and we had one of the conductors take another photo for us! :)  All the kids (and Ro) got a Junior Engineer Certificate saying they rode with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Then the girls and Ro went to get a picture with Thomas, but in the end the wanted to charge us $50 for it, so after all that we don't have any photos to show that they met 'Thomas the Tank Engine' because the blue engine was not in any of our photos!!  Well, he is in the background of this one (the blue in the top left that you can barely see!):

Here are a few more of our ride on Thomas

On the way back to the van we had definately passed nap time and Anya threw a full on tantrum (the kind that embarrass you as their parent).  It was a good thing I had help because I don't think I could have got her on the bus alone.  We hurried back and loaded in the van.  All of the kids were asleep before we even left the parking lot.
Even though I was stressed out about other things going on in my life, it was a nice break and it was great to see Barb again!  Hopefully next time I'll be more enjoyable company! :)

Fun Photos

So today has been filled with cleaning, laundry and goofing around the house with the kids! :)  We also took some photos because Riley and Ro have been getting along pretty well!  Ok...Ro has always been doing good-it's just getting Riley to warm up to her.  He's been allowing her to come right up to him lately!  Their beds are still next to each other, so maybe that is helping!  Anyhow, here are some pictures of us just hanging out for the day.  I also added the one of her jumping over the little rock canal thingy in our backyard because she looks like 'Superdog'!  I wish I could take one from the side, but she's always running to me.  Anyhow, Enjoy!