Well to keep things cheerful around here, Dave and I took a little time for him to practice the piano yesterday. Dave also did a great picture of a PuppyDuck playing the piano, as we wanted to send a special note of thanks to the church that gave us the piano. It seemed like a mutual exchange, they needed someone to take it off their hands as they were getting a new piano, and they had no room for this one anymore. We’re certainly appreciative as we needed a piano for Dave to practice on as it’s very different than playing the keyboard (even though he has 3 of those).

So how do we squeeze in time for piano practice? We manage a pretty well balanced day here. Dave gets some free play time in the morning, we break for lunch earlier lately to then do his sound-therapy session (which lasts 2 hours long), followed by a bit of work of either hand drawing some artwork or practicing and doing cleaning up on Photoshop. Then more free time, piano included.

I have to admit, I still am in awe of how well he plays. Love my boy!

And here is his companion doing the same!

A special thanks go out to the Western Hills Christian Church and Pastor Ken Taylor for their kindness, as well as to Bud Chase and to the gentlemen who helped load the piano and get it to our house. That was no easy task. Many thanks to Jorma for letting us use his truck as well as his muscles, Mr. Chase, Bill, Kevin, & Brandon who also helped carry it through.

Also a big Thank You to John Matthews, Dave’s friend from school who organized this so that Dave could get a piano. John was determined for Dave to have a piano to practice on, and he found a way! We miss you! He’s an amazing young man himself, who started his own business tuning and fixing pianos (and I’m sure that doesn’t explain everything he does). Thanks John!

Here’s a picture of the crew that came to help. Although Jorma and Dad (as he used his muscles too) stayed out of the picture.

Well we’ve been busy here getting into the Christmas spirit. Letters to Santa are coming in and the PuppyDucks have been busy sorting through the mail, making sure Santa gets all the letters that everyone is sending.

The latest word from Santa is that the reindeer have been exercising, and practicing their jumps while the elves are busy wrapping and packing all the presents that will go on Santa’s sleigh.

Here we’ve been busy adding new coloring pages for everyone to download. So if you need to get into the Christmas spirit, be sure to check out these fun pictures. There are 10 Christmas themed pictures to choose from or print them all! Have Fun!

As Santa says, “Isn’t Christmas Magical?”

Last night we got big news  to help us wrap up the year positively.

David was just hired to illustrate a comic strip for a local newsletter.  I presented his artwork at the board meeting at the Sussex County Food Co-op, in Newton, NJ last night, and they loved it! An amazing bunch of people who manage the Board there. They loved my ideas, Dave’s artwork and were very supportive of all I was trying to accomplish with Dave. They even urged us to use the newsletter to help promote his work as well. A caption or footnote will do, but how wonderful to run into people that are supportive of all I’ve been trying to do.

I have to thank Nancy, Maura and Sophia for their continued support and the gals also helped me come up with the title for the comic strip that will be part of the newsletter. I also have to thank Gil, as although she’s not directly involved in the PuppyDucks adventure, she’s been an amazing support to me as a friend, as well as to Dave. Love you ladies!

This means that Dave will be publishing at least 2 different strips a month. AWESOME!

The title of the comic strip will be:
Foody Fun Facts with the Food Co-op

Here’s the comic that sold it last night…a variation on Dave’s 1st comic strip.

For everyone who enjoyed downloading and coloring the pages for Halloween and Thanksgiving, check out the new Christmas coloring pages. There’s a gingerbread man, a picture of the North Pole, a PuppyDuck elf and even a Christmas stocking with space to put your own name!

Don’t forget to check out Dave’s pictures to see how he colored his pictures.

Jump into the Christmas fun. Have you had a chance to write your letter to Santa yet? If not let the PuppyDucks help you and use their Magic Web-bot to get your letter to Santa faster then a reindeer can light his nose red!