Wednesday, October 19, 2011

That Darned Dog!

Revy the Goldendoodle is now 7 months.  He has a busy daily schedule of causing trouble, mischief making, and refusing to be trained.  I understand from other dog owners that dogs' brains don't function properly until they are well over a year, and in some cases as long as five years.  Greeeaaaaat. 

Revy has explored as many methods as possible to drive me crazy on a daily basis.  He has stolen all manner of shoes and items of laundry.  He has chewed slippers, underwear, toys, and more.  He has eaten food that was not his on many occasions.  He has destroyed papers of all kinds; from magazines to homework to important documents.  He even ate almost an entire batch of muffins he pilfered while they were cooling on the counter.

If I have a treat in my hand, however, he is the best behaved dog ever documented.  He has incredible self control when commanded, and he is very smart when learning new commands.  I guess I'll have to have a pocket full of treats for training every minute of our day! 

A lot of my time and energy is spent on Revy-related things.  I have to take him on two or more walks per day or he whips into a frenzy.  Feeding and snacking is very important to him.  I brush him almost daily, bathe  him monthly, and have committed to grooming him (haircuts) regularly.  Also, I have to spend a certain amount of time training him per day.  Whew!  Who knew a dog would be so much work?  And let's not forget cleaning up messes  he makes - both from things destroyed, and things previously digested by him. 

Slurping up remnants of our first experience with Bannock

Out for a walk at the Japanese gardens after the beach

Looking so dapper after his professional grooming

Enjoying the spray park

Playing with Caylie

Demonstrating a spectacular "sit" and cheering for Kent on his race
The children are enjoying having a dog, and he does show his affection for us through slobbering on us and licking us.  And we still cling to the hope that someday he will be a well trained, well behaved, loving member of our family.  Fingers crossed. 









Friday, October 14, 2011

Soup Galore

Our October Farm Bag arrived on Wednesday - a cornucopia of autumn bounty from local farms.  Lots of veggies and fruits to keep us going in the crisper temps.  So I started making soups for supper:  Borscht, Squash & Carrot, Leek & Potato, Turkey, Beef & Barley.  All on the agenda for the next week or so!   I love the warm, soothing feel of a hearty soup meal - and extra for the freezer. 

Now, what to do with all the pears in the farm bag?  Pear cake?  Muffins?  Preserves? 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Kai gave Caylie a "shoulder-back ride" at Peachfest this summer

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Happy Belated Birthday to Kai and Keigan!

 Kai's birthday was last month, but we put off the party until the end of September so that he could get settled into his new school and maybe make some friends in his new class before we decided whom to invite to the festivities.  However, I discovered that September is a full, overscheduled, barely-keeping-our-heads-above-water kind of month and adding birthday party planning to the mix wasn't as welcome as it would have been in August.  So the "theme" for this year's birthday was the Quick and Easy Low Effort Party.  Even better, Kai's buddy Keigan was in the same birthday party boat, so they had a double birthday together!

Kai doing a shy shine
We decided to host the party at Springer's Gymnastics this time.  The gymnastics coach leads all the guests in a super fun time of games, trampoline, climbing wall, foam pit, rope swinging, trapeze rings, parallel bars, and more! 
Caylie bouncing on the trampoline


Kai and Daddy enjoying the foam pit

Madison:  Shine!
After they'd worked up an appetite in the gym, they sat down for some snacks and drinks at the table.  Lots of yummy munchies to sample, and then cupcakes - of course! 
The guys all set for some serious snacking
Blue and green "mosaic" cupcakes
Each of our guests left with a helium balloon weighted with a candy bag from Sweets 4 My Sweetie, and a smile!  Kai had lots of fun, enjoyed playing with his friends, and collected loads of great food and donations for the Penticton Food Bank!  Thanks to Keigan and his awesome parents (co-party planners) for the great time! 
A wild game of foam block tag

Madison and Chaydyn giggling at the rope

Chaydyn and her Daddy stick a parallel landing on the parallel bars

Keigan swinging on the trapeze rings - He's flying!

Birthday candles in birthday cupcakes.  Boys waiting for the singing to be over so they can dig in!