Dogs and Kids - The Essence of "Being"

With a whole universe to be grateful for and appreciate, some specific beings and times are special. What's better than time spent with kids and puppies? Certainly at the top of my list. This morning I had the chance to hang out for a little while with our friend Ann's two sons Garrett and Ryan and their new English Bulldog puppies, Sophie and Winston.

That's Garrett and Sophie in the photo below:


Sophie and Winston almost never stopped moving while I was trying to take their photos, pretty much like Ryan and Garrett.

After a while a neighbor came by, Aimee, and she had a magical touch it seemed, she was able to get everyone together and unsquirmy, at least for a few seconds.

Sophie (on the left) and Winston (right) will be wider when they reach their adult size, but apparently not too much taller.

Sophie appears to be a bit more contemplative than Winston, but she may grow out of it.

So thanks Ryan, Aimee, Winston, Sophie, and Garrett - I had a great time with you guys. And thanks to you, too, Ann for the opportunity.

Kid Time! Newborns Jacob and Ava, party-hardy Annabel and Seamus

Wow, what a great time for babies and children!! First off, on Thursday grand-nephew Jacob Kylewas born in Connecticut to Jenna and Stephen, son and daughter-in-law of my sister Nancy and her husband Karl.

Jacob weighed in at 7 pounds 7 ounces and measured 19 inches. His big brother Evan got to meet him on Friday. We'll see them all when we get to Connecticut for Thanksgiving, but in the meantime, Welcome Jacob!

Back closer to Wilmington, Ava Grace Williams continues to amaze and amuse parents Kristy and Justin Williams (publishers and owners of NBM - North Brunswick Magazine). Justin wrote last night that they're "still adjusting" to Ava's arrival. [Bruce note - that adjustment period will continue for another 30 years or so, but don't tell Justin or Kristy yet.]

Ava certainly is a gorgeous young lady and she appears to be much more laid back than her dad, who never stops moving.

Back in holiday mode, Peter Pan (grandson Seamus) and Tinkerbell (granddaughter Annabel) scored bucketloads of candy in their neighborhood last night. Marge and I Skyped with them but the video failed so we only heard but didn't see Seamus dump a bucket of candy over his head (literally).