TAILS from Cold Hill

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! We are singing our theme song - On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again... Our family is in the Woody Bus yet again. Destination - Richmond, KY. Daniel Boone Elementary School to be exact.

While we are riding down the highway, I thought I would take a minute to tell you about our visit to Cold Hill. We had a PAWS-atively perfect day. It was our very first day back in the schools. We had a few minor issues that made us yowl - like our projector wouldn't turn on and our camera wouldn't work, but those were minor pests. The day was so fantastic that we forgot about our technical difficulties! Ms. Brown, the media specialist, let us borrow her camera for the day. I bet she was surprised when Dad took over 100 pictures! Here are a few of our favorites.

The first one is from the assembly. The second photo is of our friend Saylor. He gave me a pink pig named Wilbur. Wilbur and I have become best friends. I have played with him all day long! He doesn't oink or eat as much as I thought.

Can you guess what Cold Hill had for lunch yesterday??? We couldn't believe it either!

The last photo is of Mom pretending like she is giving a CARDINAL fan a hard time. Everyone knows how much we love the WILDCATS! Speaking of the Cards and the Cats, there is a huge game coming up!!!

Oh, I can't forget to give you a clue about our big announcement. In case you didn't hear, we will be making an exciting announcement on September 8. Your first clue was globe. The clue today is gold.

Dad is pulling the bus over to stop for gas. Hopefully I can get a snack. My tummy is rumbling! Have a great day! I will tell you all about Daniel Boone (the school that is) on Friday! In the meantime, Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

The 2008-09 Woody Tour

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Well, it's back to school for our family! In fact, we are in the Woody Bus at this very moment! Dad is at the wheel driving down the highway. Destination - London, KY. Our first school for the year is Cold Hill Elementary! We can't wait! Chloe and I have our backpacks packed, our pencils sharpened, a new box of crayons, new shoes... Well, that might be a stretch, but you get the picture! Going to back to school means early mornings, miles on the Woody Bus, and plenty of new friends - and lots of diary entries, so stay tuned!

Both Mom and Frannie the BodyGuard are telling me it's time to put up the laptop and rest. Busy day tomorrow! I will be sure to post photos in the next few days!

Also, we will have a big surprise announcement in early September! I won't tell you what it is, but I will give you hints from now until the announcement is made. Here is your first clue: globe. Can you guess???

Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Friendship, Friendship, Just the Perfect Blendship

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It is a gorgeous Saturday morning here at our doghouse in Shepherdsville! Even though it is early August, it feels like September. We love this time of year. School is starting, the air is crisp, and it's almost Football Time in the Bluegrass!

I have been telling you about our friend, Cleo. If you remember, Cleo is the dachshund who goes into the nursing home and cheers people up! She lives in Evansville, IN with her mommy, Ms. Diane. A few weeks ago, we were in Owensboro and had the opportunity to meet Cleo. She was as pretty as her pictures. She was in her red wagon and was wearing a cute pink hat. She even had on jewelry - a necklace and a bracelet!!! In fact, Chloe kept talking about how beautiful Cleo's bracelet was, so Cleo just took it off and gave it to Chloe. Now that's what I call a true friend! When we met Cleo, it was easy to see why so many people love her and her mommy. We fell in love with them both! We will continue to write about our new friend Cleo, so stay tuned!

Speaking of friends, today our family gets to help two wiener dogs travel to their new homes. We are involved in the Southern States Dachshund Rescue group. It helps wiener dogs without homes find good homes. In fact, our body guard Frannie came from the SSDR group. Well, Mom received an email saying that two little doxies were traveling to their new homes today. One is going from New York to Tennessee and the other one is going from Ohio to Georgia. Mom and Dad are going to help transport these wiener dogs. I begged Mom if we could go. We haven't been to New York yet. Mom laughed and said that she and Dad were picking up the doxies right here in KY and only traveling about an hour with them before someone else takes over. In fact, 15 families are helping these two little wiener dogs make it to their new homes. It will take them two days to get there, but we know it is worth it! I was sad that Chloe and I couldn't go, but Mom explained we were helping by staying home and letting the travelers have more room in the car. Mom promised to tell us all about when she and Dad returned home!

Maybe Mom will get their address so I can keep in touch with them. I love friends! Thinking of friends reminds me of my favorite song, "Friendship." Chloe and I sing it all the time. It's one of our favorite songs. Here is the verse we like best:

If you're ever down a well, ring my bell.
If you ever catch on fire, send a wire.
If you ever lose your teeth When you're out to dine,
Borrow mine.

It's friendship, friendship, Just a perfect blendship, When other friendships have ceased to jell Ours will still be swell! Lahdle-ahdle-ahdle-hep-hep-hep.

Have a great day! Enjoy the weather, say hello to a friend, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

The Bus Has Moved!

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Don't you just love our new home? We think it looks PAWS-atively perfect! Mr. Nathan, the man who makes sure our doghouse looks so great, told us yesterday that he thought the renovations were almost ready! Our entire family was so excited! We couldn't wait to see what it looked like! Just like on the TV show Extreme Makeover, we stood together and said, "Move That Bus!' (There wasn't a real bus to be moved, but it was fun to say it anyway!) Mr. Nathan unveiled the new look and we Oooohed and Aaahhhed for a long time! All the colorful illustrations give you just a tiny hint of our upcoming story, Heads and Tails! Feel free to visit our online doghouse as much as you like. You have an open invitation. No need to even take your shoes off at the door!

After we looked all around, Mr. Nathan said, "Well Gang, there is only one thing left to say, 'Welcome Home, Woody, Welcome Home.'" We were so happy to hear those words!

I will write more later - I promise. In the meantime, enjoy the renovations and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Extreme Makeover: DOGHOUSE EDITION

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Hope everyone is having a great Monday! I have so many things to tell you about - like our trip to Broadway, our trip to London, how we met our good friend, Cleo, the list goes on and on. Our family has been so busy lately. We have been putting the finishing touches on our latest newspaper serial story titled HEADS AND TAILS. Already, 71 newspapers have signed up for the story! I will put a list of participating newspapers soon. Since we had a new story, we thought we would freshen up our doghouse a bit. So, Mr. Nathan, the man who takes care of our doghouse, is giving our site a brand new look. We just wanted you to know in case you wondered! Right now we are in the renovation process, but hopefully our new look will be ready soon. Chloe and I have been practicing the "MOVE THAT BUS!" chant like they say on the Home Makevover TV show. Mom says that when the renovations are finished, we won't be moving a bus. Oh well...

We will keep you posted on everything! Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Woody's Snap-N-Win Photo Contest

At the Teacher Workshops we present, we are going to give teachers a disposable camera. If they snap photos of their students reading the stories, develop the shots, and send them to us, we will put them on the web and they will be entered into a drawing for several different prizes.

Prizes
Grand Prize:
Class party with Woody

2nd Place:
Set of Woody books

3rd Place:
A signed illustration from "Heads and Tails"

Directions

1. Snap photos of your students reading and listening to "Heads and Tails" starting the week of September 15.
   
2. Develop the film onto a CD or scan printed photos.
   
3. Email photos to leighanne@thewoodybooks.com or mail CD to: Hot Diggety Dog Press P.O. Box 747 Shepherdsville, KY 40165
   
4. Include with your submission: Your name, school, email address, and phone number. Be sure you have permission to photograph your students before you send photos.

Participating teachers will be entered into random drawings for prizes. Winners will be notified.

Deadline
The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 5, 2008.

Cameras - thanks to the Lexington Herald-Leader!

A Story that Gives Me Goose Bumps

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It is Tuesday afternoon and our family has been busy little bees all day long. We were gone all last week and today we have been catching up on emails, phone calls, paying bills, and cat naps. I was planning on writing about all the neat things we did last week. We had a PAWS-atively perfect week. Don't worry, I will tell you about it next time, but I had to share this story.

In my last post, I shared a photo of one of my favorite families! I met this family in 2004 and we have been life long buddies ever since. I could tell you the story of how we met, but their Mom can do it much better. So, take a minute and click on this link

www.adventuresinhomeschooling-butts.blogspot.com

and go to the second post on the page. (You might have to copy and put it in the address bar.) Every time I read this story, I get goose bumps. When Chloe and Mom read it, I saw a tear or two - or twenty. Mom says it is her favorite story of all stories. It is mine too!

We love you Butts Family! Thanks for the Goose Bumps! By the way, do you really have 4 snakes in your house???

Hope everyone has a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

An Afternoon in Paris

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! We hope you have had a terrific Monday! Our family is loading up the Woody Bus, headed out of town for a week of presentations. My day has been spent making sure my Scooby backpack is loaded with all the things I need for life on the road. Speaking of being on the road, last Thursday our family spent the day in Paris! We love Paris in July! Paris, Kentucky that is!

We spent the afternoon at the Paris Bourbon County Public Library. When we visit, it is just like walking in the front door to our home. So many people that we have met over the years come to see us. We catch up on the latest news, see how much everyone as grown, and tell stories from the past year! We also snap lots of family photos! And, we learn new information! Let me tell you about what we learned on our last visit.

Mom and I were talking about our latest book, Mr. Dogwood Goes to Washington. While we were talking, Dad put the illustration from Chapter 8 on the screen. The illustration shows me with my cap over my heart, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Our illustrator, Mr. Asher, included an illustration of the photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima originally taken by Joe Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal took the picture in 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. It shows 5 United States Marines and 1 United States Navy corpsman raising the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi. Anyway, one of our friends who was at the library explained that the one of the United States Marines in the original photo was her cousin. His name was Franklin Sousley and he was a Kentucky boy! Isn't that cool?

Well, we love to research so we came home and looked it up. We learned that Franklin Sousley was born in 1925 in Fleming County, Kentucky and graduated from Fleming County High School. He joined the Marines after he received his draft notice. He later died in the Battle of Iwo Jima and received a Purple Heart after his death. It made us stop and say thanks to Mr. Sousley and all the other men and women who have fought for this great country! Our family will never look at that photo the same way again. I've said it before but I will say it again - if you ever see a military person, stop and say thanks! It is the very least we can do!

I better sign off for now. Chloe can only find three of her four flip flops so I need to help her find them so she can finish packing! This week will be exciting for our family. We will be doing presentations in Owensboro, Benton, and Paducah. We will be meeting Cleo (see the previous blog)for the first time and will even appear on Broadway! I can't wait to bark all about it!

Have a great week! Thank a military person, learn some new facts, keep up with all your flip flops, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Cleo and her Wagon

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Chloe and I are constantly saying that we have the best job in the entire world! How could we not like traveling around in the Woody Bus with our family and seeing new places? But, the very best part is meeting new people! Just this past week, we crossed paths with Cleo.

Remember when I told you that I had seen Dr. Campbell about the pesky bean in my nose? Well, after our visit, Dr. Campbell told me about another little dachshund he cares for in his practice. This little wiener dog's name is Cleo. Unfortunately, Cleo had a much more serious problem than something in her snoot; she was suffering from a heart problem. Cleo's vet in Indiana, Dr. Susan, noticed Cleo's heart problem and thought Cleo should see a specialist, so she sent her to Dr. Campbell in Louisville. In fact, her heart stopped beating one time, but Dr. Campbell and the great staff at Metro Vet Specialists worked and worked to get Cleo's heart beating again. Of course everyone wanted Cleo to live, but she had a special reason for living. You see, like us, Cleo has a job.

Cleo lives in Evansville, Indiana and her mom takes her into several nursing home and assisted living facilities (a place where older people who may need a little help live). Cleo goes in and cheers up the residents, listens to their stories, gives them hugs, and brightens their day. When Cleo was sick, all her friends missed seeing her and even sent Cleo get well cards. Well, Cleo did get well! In fact, not only did Cleo get well, but she returned to work. Dr. Campbell gave Cleo permission to visit her friends again, but told her to take it easy. Obeying Dr. Campbell's orders, her mom bought her a wagon. Now, Cleo goes into the nursing homes and assisted living facilities riding in her very own wagon with her name on the side! Talk about traveling first class! I guess if you are going to have a nice set of wheels, you need cool outfits too. So, Cleo always dresses the part!

I put a few photos for you to see. I couldn't put them all. (Cleo has more outfits than our entire family put together!) Chloe and I picked out a few favorite photos to show you - like the one in her rabbit ears. The second photo is of Cleo dressed as Minnie Pearl. (In case you don't know who Minnie Pearl is, she was on this funny show called Hee Haw - the name is funny all by itself! Minnie Pearl wore a hat that had a price tag hanging down. She would say, "HOW-DEE!") The last picture is of Cleo and Dr. Campbell. I promise to put lots more on the blog in the next few days! Chloe and I have laughed at all the funny outfits Cleo wears! We can't wait for you to see them too - especially the one with Cleo in her bonnet! And, the best part is that we are planning on meeting Cleo within the next few weeks! I can't wait to see what she is wearing!

Hopefully, you can meet Cleo too. If you do, please do me a favor and don't mention her being sick. She doesn't know she is sick. She thinks she is a young healthy pup, and we don't want to tell her otherwise. I'm not a doctor but I think I might know why Cleo has a heart problem. I think it is because her heart is so very big and is made of pure gold! I may mention that to Dr. Campbell the next time he checks out my snout. I know he is a smart man, but he might not have thought about that. I'll confer with him. (I am already starting to sound like a doctor!)

Chloe is looking through some fashion magazines to find a new outfit for Cleo. She is reading Lad & Lassie now! I think I will go help her!

Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Happy Independence Day

You're a grand old flag
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave...

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers and Happy Independence Day! Mom, Dad, Chloe, Frannie the Body Guard, and I hope each of you is having a terrific Fourth of July! We love holidays - any kind of holidays - but the patriotic holidays are our very favorite! I never really understood the importance of Independence Day until our family spent time in Washington, D.C. researching our last story, Mr. Dogwood Goes to Washington. We learned that Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and other men known as our founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence - declaring our freedom from Great Britain and making us our own free country. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Now, over 200 years later, Americans still celebrate our freedom!

Chloe and I were searching on the internet for interesting facts about the United States of America. Since our latest book was filled with facts that actually had meaning, we thought we would share a few facts we didn't include in the book. A couple of these have absolutely nothing to do with anything, but are just plain fun. Here are our favorites:

1. Ohio is the birthplace of more Presidents than any other state - eight.

2. Thomas Jefferson, one of our founding fathers, is one of only two people to accomplish a so-called "triple crown": serving as Secretary of State, Vice-President, and President. (Can you name the other one who accomplished the "triple crown?")

3. The official colors of the flag are "Old Glory Red," white, and "Old Glory Blue."

4. Fireworks were originally invented in China for entertainment purposes.

5. It was once illegal to take a bath in the wintertime in Indiana.

I read that last one to Mom and she said, "Woody, don't get any ideas!"

Since the bath idea was out of the question, I asked Mom if Chloe and I could shoot off fireworks tonight. Before Mom even opened her mouth, Frannie the Body Guard stepped in and said, "Absolutely not! Too Dangerous for wiener dogs!" Our body guard runs a tight ship - always cautious when it comes to our safety. At least Mom and Frannie gave us permission to watch the fireworks tonight, but in order to do that, we have to take an afternoon nap. So, with that said, I better sign off and close my eyes!

Have a great day! Wave your American flag proudly, sing patriotic songs with all your heart, and take a bath in both summer and winter - even if you live in Indiana. Oh, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

Woody

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the Grand Old Flag!

A STAY-cation!

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! We hope this finds you enjoying a nice Friday evening! We love Fridays at our doghouse in Shepherdsville. It's nice to look back on the week and remember the neat things that happened.

Our family has been on a STAY-cation. You know, like a vacation, but at home! We love crawling in the Woody Bus, singing our favorite travel songs, and viewing the sights! In fact, this past year, we were on the road almost 200 days during the year! But, since we travel so much all year round, when we have some time off from work, it's nice to stay at home! This past week, our schedule was clear. Rather than traveling somewhere, we did some fun things right here in our area. We went to Louisville Slugger Field to watch the Louisville Bats play baseball. There's nothing like a good ol' baseball game. We love seeing the vendors walk around with all their goodies, participating in the wave, and stretching during the 7th inning stretch! Anyway, while at the game, we looked up and saw a photo that looked just like Chloe! I asked Dad if the Bats were thinking of changing their mascot to the Louisville Wiener Dogs, but he didn't think so. Oh well, probably a good thing. We really like Buddy the Bat!

We have also hung around the house, read our favorite books, watched our favorite shows like The Andy Griffith Show, played checkers, and have taken lots of walks! Even on our walks, Frannie the Bodyguard makes sure we are free from harm!

I also had another appointment with Dr. Scott Campbell at the Metro Vet Specialist today. The snoring is gone and Chloe is getting plenty of beauty rest again. Dr. Campbell still didn't see a bean in the nose!

I better run! Whether you are going on a vacation, or staying on a stay-cation, enjoy! Drink lots of water, wear your floppy hat and sunscreen, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Eat Two Milk Bones and Call Me in the Morning

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! I am back at my doghouse in Shepherdsville after spending the morning with Dr. Scott Campbell at the Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists in Louisville, KY. Don't worry! I am a picture of perfect health! I just had a minor sniffling-sneezing-coughing-aching-stuffy-head-so-you-can't-sleep kind of problem. To be honest, I could sleep fine - like a log. It was Mom, Dad, and Chloe that couldn't sleep. They said I snored! I don't believe them at all. In fact, I know I don't snore. Chloe said I had been snoring so loudly that it was keeping her from getting her beauty rest. She said it sounded like I had a bean in my nose. Well, Dr. Campbell searched and couldn't find beans, peas, lentils, or any kind of vegetables in my nose at all! That was terrific nose - I mean news! Dr. Campbell was so nice and so smart - and the best part was that I didn't get a shot!

Dad took a picture of Dr. Campbell and me. He also took a picture of the nice girls at the desk.

Dr. Campbell said I had some allergies and gave me some medicine. So, after a trip to the drugstore I am back home with my siblings. While we were away, Frannie (our body guard) kept everything safe and secure at home!

I better run! I couldn't eat breakfast because of my appointment with Dr. Campbell and I am starved!

Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine, drink lots of water, wear your sunscreen, and DON'T GET A BEAN IN YOUR NOSE! Oh, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

A Day at Southside

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! The minute I started typing in my journal Dad said, "Woody, we are going to be late if you don't hurry!" We are on our way to Edmonton, KY. I promised Dad I would hurry, but I wanted to tell everyone how much fun we had yesterday at Southside Elementary!

Southside is in Belfry, KY. Belfry is in eastern KY - Pike County to be exact - and is just a couple of miles from West Virginia. We drove to Belfry on Monday night so we could be there early on Tuesday morning. This trip was different. The Woody Bus was at the bus hospital being worked on. So, we took the car and stayed in a hotel. We hadn't stayed in a hotel in a few years. It was so much fun! We wanted to order room service and have our dog food brought to our door, but Mom said the Super 8 didn't have room service. Anyway, it was fun! The Woody Bus is back with our family and we are glad!

Everyone at Southside made us feel so welcome. The school was beautiful and the principal, teachers, and students treated like we were part of their family! The teachers had a potluck lunch and invited Mom and Dad to stay. Chloe and I weren't part of that. (I guess they know about our table manners.) It must have been delicious because all the way home Chloe and I heard about chicken and dumplings, cornbread, green beans, pie, the list goes on and on!!! We are scheduled to go back to Southside in the fall! We can't wait!

Dad just gave me the second call so I better run! Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine, drink lots of water, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

A Day at the Downs

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Chloe and I are feeling especially Kentucky Proud today! Our family spent the afternoon at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Churchill Downs is the home of the most "exciting two minutes in sports!" That's right - the Kentucky Derby! In case you are wondering, we weren't racing on the mile and a quarter track, but were attending the 2008 Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture Conference. It was hosted by Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer and his staff. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture helps promote all the delicious food made right here in the Bluegrass! And believe me, we have some delicious food! Mom, Dad, Chloe, and I were able to meet so many great people and smell some yummy vittles! We minded our manners and didn't eat anything, but those chocolate strawberries looked DEE-LISH!

I posted a few photos of of our time at Churchill Downs. Don't you love my new hat? Tate let me borrow it! My buddy Thomas had a "Big Brown" hat I loved too. Of course Big Brown won the 2008 Kentucky Derby! I asked Mom if we could go see Big Brown since we were at Churchill Downs, but she said he was probably tired from all the racing he had been doing!

I love our state - the horses, Churchill Downs, and all our home grown food! It makes me one proud Kentucky Wiener Dog!

I better go! It is almost bedtime here at my doghouse and Mom is getting my snack prepared. I asked if I could have chocolate strawberries, but from the look on Mom's face, I have a feeling it will be bacon!

Have a great night! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Hunter's Masterpiece

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It is one hot Sunday today! I just dialed the number where the lady tells me how hot it is outside. She said, "Temperature - 94 degrees!" Chloe and I are two sizzling hot dogs! Since it is a scorcher outside, we have been staying inside, playing checkers, and reading our very favorite books!

Speaking of books, we have a new favorite book! It is called, "Woody and Chloe Come to Taylorsville Elementary." It was written and illustrated by our good friend, Hunter. Hunter is a kindergarten student. We met Hunter during our visit to his school this past year. During the assembly, he earned a dog bone. We became fast friends! Anyway, his class had to write and illustrate their very own book this year and guess who they wrote about? You got it - Chloe and me! It is a terrific book! It talks about the day Chloe and I visited Hunter's school, and about how he earned a dog bone for answering a question. The illustrations are so colorful! Hunter and his classmates shared their books with their parents one night! I bet that was a fun night!

I included a few pictures. The first two photos are of Hunter and his teacher, Ms. Cundiff. Hunter is sharing his book with his classmates and his parents. The next few pictures are ones I took from the book. My favorite illustration is the last one - the one of Hunter and me! I think this book is a masterpiece! Chloe and I read it over and over and over...

Hunter, if you are reading this, thanks so much! Chloe and I have put a little surprise in the mail, so stay tuned!

I better go. Mom and Chloe are making a big pitcher of lemonade - a perfect treat to stay cool!

Have a great day! Drink lots of water, wear your sunscreen, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Cousin Patrick

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It is Friday afternoon and our family is enjoying a day off at our doghouse in Shepherdsville! We have been playing outside, chasing tennis balls and kitty cats, as well as picking dandelions for Mom! We thought we would take a break and say ARFF!

Last week, we spent some time at our Cousin Patrick's school in Paducah, KY. Patrick just graduated from the 5th grade at Clark Elementary. Mom, Dad, Chloe, and I wanted to give Patrick a graduation send-off, so we loaded up The Woody Bus and drove to Paducah to spend some time with Patrick's class before Graduation Day! Everyone knows that Paducah is my favorite place since I was born in that town! As usual, everyone made us feel right at home - especially Ms. Ruggles, Ms. Thompson, and of course, Cousin Patrick!

We took this photo! Can you see the resemblance? Everybody can!

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the actual graduation ceremony, but the news in our family spread fast that Cousin Patrick had received the 5th Grade Math Award. We were so proud of him! Not only does he get his good looks from me, he also gets my math skills! I included a photo of me doing some calculations just in case there were any doubts!

Congratulations to Cousin Patrick and all the 5th Grade Graduates!

I better skedaddle. It is almost lunch time. Chloe is pouring the lemonade now! Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine, pick lots of dandelions, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Memorial Day

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Once again, I have been a little behind in my journal writing. We have been finishing up our school visits for the year and preparing for our summer events. I have so much to tell you from the past few weeks like our great visit to McKinney, our day at Joseph Beth and the Kentucky Artisan Center, and about our visit to Cousin Patrick's class. I promise I will give you the deTAILS soon, but today I wanted to bark about Memorial Day!

Our family has always been patriotic, but ever since we spent a week in Washington, D.C. and wrote Mr. Dogwood Goes to Washington, our American pride has overflowed! Chloe and I have always loved Memorial Day. Before our trip to D.C.,the main reason we loved the day is because our family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - gets together every year for a good ol' fashioned picnic. We eat hamburgers (yes, ONLY hamburgers), potato salad, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, and ice cream! Dee-lish! After our D.C. trip, Chloe and I realized that Memorial Day is about more than picnics! It is about remembering the men and women who died while serving our country. Chloe and I thought about the day we spent at Arlington National Cemetery and saw where over 290,000 men and women who have served our country are buried. It made us stop and, as the day was set aside for, remember those brave people.

This morning, Chloe, Frannie the Body Guard, and I helped Dad put out our American flag. It is flying proudly! Frannie even put on her American flag bandana. And, of course it wouldn't be Memorial Day without singing our favorite patriotic songs like Yankee Doodle, You're a Grand Old Flag, and God Bless the U.S.A.

I better skedaddle for now. It is almost time to join the cousins for the annual picnic. I can taste that corn-on-the-cob now! Have a great day! Sing those patriotic songs loud and proud, remember those who have given us freedom, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

TAILS from McKee

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Hope you are having a terrific Monday. You know what Mondays mean for our family - it means we are packing the Woody Bus, heading out for a week of school visits. Mom is finishing the laundry, Dad is washing the bus windows, the security guard is making sure everything is secure and guarded, and Chloe is barking at the birds. I thought I would take a minute to tell you about our day at McKee last week.

Thursday we spent the day at McKee Elementary in Jackson County, KY. Since we had visited the other two schools in the county and had made so many new friends, we couldn't wait to visit McKee. Like Sand Gap and Tyner, everyone made us feel right at home. Students wore sunglasses, made signs, held up American flags, and even decorated their faces! It didn't feel like school day at all - more like a family reunion or a parade or something! Now that we have visited all three elementary schools in the county, we feel like we know everybody!

Like our visit at Cline, I had to take it easy due to my minor sports injury. I am feeling terrific, but my parents say I have to rest a few more weeks before I return to my usual schedule. So, even though I am traveling everywhere and saying Arff to everybody, my siblings are having to carry the load. I shouldn't have been lifting weights. I just really wanted to build up my muscles!!! Oh well, only a few more weeks of rest!

Speaking of carrying the load, a great big thanks to Ms. Elizabeth Norris of Jackson County for taking care of all our visits. Thanks to the librarians, the principals, the teachers, parents, and most of all the students! We can't wait to visit Jackson County again!

Dad just said the windows are clean so off we go again - this time our destination is Cynthiana! Have a great week! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Catching up - Again!

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Is it May already? Where did April go? I can't believe school will be out soon. Speaking of school, I wanted to tell you about our last few schools.

Last Thursday, our family spent the day and evening at E.P. Ward Elementary in Fleming County. We haven't spent much time in Fleming County so we were able to meet lots of new friends! In fact, Chloe found a good friend named Ethan. I snapped a photo of Chloe and Ethan. I think Chloe had a little puppy dog crush on Ethan. I was teasing her about it and then Mom said, "Woody, don't tease your sister." They do make a cute couple don't they???

Yesterday, our family had a great surprise! We went to Cline Elementary in Campbell County. We were so surprised that one of our favorite people in the world was the principal at Cline. Mom went in the school early yesterday morning and came back to the Woody Bus and said, "Woody, Chloe, you will never guess who the principal is! It's Lynn Poe!!!" We met Ms. Poe several years ago at a school called A.J. Jolly. That school closed down and we had lost touch with Ms. Poe. It was so much fun catching up with her! Ms. Cinda Muenchen planned a terrific day for us. We felt like we were on vacation. (I had to take it easier than usual since I suffered a minor little sports injury, but my siblings did a great job carrying my load. By the way, I feel great, but my parents want to make sure I take it easier for a tiny little bit longer.)

We arrived home from Cline around 11:00 last night and are leaving again in a few minutes. We had just enough time to pack clean clothes in our Scooby backpack before hitting the road again. This time our destination is McKee Elementary in Jackson County. We have spent a good bit of time in Jackson County this year. In fact, we have been there so much that it almost feels like home!

I better run! Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY