Dog Walk: Itchy & Scratchy Edition

by Guest Contributor: The Dad.

This may be my last fill-in post given the chilly reaction to my efforts on the dog walk.

The dog walk today was a challenge. We went to our standard spot -- The Res -- at the appointed time, and Maggie did her thing as one would hope. However, the mosquitoes are starting to come out in force. Ike and I spent a lot of the walk discussing the relative itchiness of Poison Ivy v. Mosq. Bites. Given evidence collected on the walk, I argued that the bug bites were worse for the first 20 minutes, but the PI had staying power.

One of the big differences between when Moose and I take Ike for a dog walk is that he generally likes to just hang out and ride in my arms the whole time. He doesn't even feel the need to have hold of the leash most of the time. I'm not sure why that is. Today, as you can see from the picture, he had to take a short little walk, but he quickly wanted back up in my arms. (Note, too, that Dad didn't even dress him funny today.)

When we got back to the house, Ike had to do a bit of yard work. You can see how nicely Moose's gardening is coming together in the front of the house. We recently reclaimed the part on the far right, converting it from the omnipresent vinca to grass. Moose says she's surprised she's advocating planting grass anywhere, but that's how pervasive the darned vinca/perriwinkle is.



In the course of Ike's yardwork we came across a moose. This one comes via Aunt S and has settled into the garden well.

After that we had to take a ride in the wagon, which got a smile from the boy....

Tuesday and Wednesday dogwalk

....done by The Husband. No pictures, no story....he took The Boy on Tuesday and said it was uneventful. Today he only took Maggs. How can I be married to such a boring guy?

Monday walk

We got off to another late start since someone went back to sleep and slept till almost 10! This is why it was Dogwalk in Pajamas, part II. We spent a good part of the time in the meadow. Maggs was pokey. Here is a pic of the leash contraption

Friday DOGWALK....wet

Yes, today it is raining. But the dog MUST be walked. We had a bit of a slow morning...someone was wide awake at 5am so we were up playing from 5-6am then went back to bed till 9:30....The DOGWALK did not get going until 10:56. We were dressed in shorts and t-shirts...then we opened the door. It was cool and rainy. So, a sweatshirt was added and kid moved from backpack to sling. Not too many photos taken today because of the rain..but here are a few.
The poppies are blooming in the center planter and the false solomon's seal is blooming in the yard.Walk was peaceful. The Boy was pretty sleeping and we listened to the rain falling on the leaves. He didn't even ask to get down to walk. Good thing...it was wet! Arrival back home: 11:22am

Thursday Dog Walk...Guest Writer: The Dad

The dog walk was done today by me, The Dad.

Our buddy Gladys (aka, Michael...don't ask) was in town today, which meant that the Boy was distracted and not totally into the dog walk. For those that don't know, we have a two leash contraption set up because the Boy usually feels like he has to hold the leash, and we want to have a bit more control over Mags than he can provide. Well, today, Dad ended up with both leashes, as the Boy just wasn't into that today. All in all, the walk was really pretty boring. I carried the little guy and both leashes, Mags did what she was supposed to, and we all came home. Now, don't get me wrong -- he was terribly cute during the whole thing, but it was a relatively uneventful walk.

When we got back, we said goodbye to Gladys. He was off to ride his bike to Chicago...through Hammond, East Chicago, and all that. I'm not sure that exactly sounds like fun to me. I tried to get the little guy to say "Bye, bye" for Gladys, but to no avail. (I did manage to get him to say "okay" today...or at least his version of it.)

Well, since I didn't take any pictures on the walk, here's one of the Boy in his glasses from today.

Plant Quiz!!

Please enter your guesses!







This one with the pink flowers, I'm just looking for a family...because I don't really know what this is exactlyyy

Wednesday DOGWALK

10:06 am. I said to the boy "Go get your shoes, it's time for THE DOGWALK!". He walked from the family room to the kitchen and grabbed one shoe. Someone slept in late this morning because he woke up during the middle of the night wide awake calling for THE DOGGY. So, we decided that THE DOGWALK could be done in our pajamas! Yeah! Here we are getting ready to go.

He got to ride in the sling for most of the way. We took lots of pictures today because I'm updating the website for the organization that manages the woods and facilities. We needed new pictures of the buildings. We also had to stop and walk around at one of the little cabins in the woods and play with the rocks by the firepit.

It is hot today and Maggs decided it was too hot for her while we were playing at the cabin. So she went to hid under the porch. Can you see her here?

Finally, we had to have some fun playing with the dirt on the trail.

Here we are...at the end of the walk. A successful, fun morning! Perhaps we should all learn a lesson here...it's more fun to spend the morning in your PJs!!!!!

Tuesday dogwalk...

9:12 The boy grabs his shoes from the basket and brings them to me so I will help him put them on. Time for THE DOGWALK! Welcome to a new feature on SDMOOSE. I hope to bring you reports from our dogwalks a few times a week. But will these reports be interesting enough to keep you reading? Stay tuned!


Here we are at the END of the walk. As you can see, someone insisted that the wagon go along today.

First we had to stop and talk to the neighbor on our way to the woods. She was putting about 4 packages in her mailbox "return to sender". Her 92 year-old mother apparently orders many things from the mail! Maggie loves our neighbor (treats) and The Boy is finally smiling at her. Today he played the fun trick of throwing something out of the wagon multiple times so she would pick it up for him. I thought MY kid wouldn't do that trick! Then he wanted out of the wagon and took off exploring down the road. So, I said goodbye to the neighbor and chased him down.

This is the first time the wagon has been "invited" along on the walk! It worked ok, in that the boy rode in it about 1/2 way. It slowed us down a bit and I think it maybe threw Maggs off a bit as she didn't do her thing that she is supposed to do on the dogwalk! Darn dog. The Boy yelled "DOGGY" a few times on the walk. Another first. Arrival home: 9:59. Time to get going to Ava's for another walk....it's going to be hot here today.

kkyoarrd trouuble

...ssoo iiwilll justt posstttapppiccture

`+`

Tornado warnings...

This evening we had our first tornado sirens...warnings of the season. I was google chatting with a certain AAPH and I commented that I've been told that a tornado sound like trains, therefore I'm screwed. You see...we have grand central station running through our backyard. I hear trains running like every 5 minutes. She then said "yeah...I thought about telling you that, but thought the better of it" Nice friend!

ps. It's pretty funny to hear the cat MMMMMEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW on the baby monitor. She's doing it right now.

Happiness!

Kindergarten report card QUIZ

Hmmm...so the Husband and I were sitting around today watching the boy and trying to keep him from hurting himself with his climbing and running around. I said to The Husband "I bet his first report card is going to say_____________________" (chose from the following or add an idea of your own)

1. At least he's cute
2. I really appreciate his enthusiasm
3. Don't you ever feed this boy?
4. ? other ideas?

How well do you know us?

Another quiz!
1. Whenever I get into the car (the one with the satellite radio..we have Sirius) after The Husband has been driving it...what station is it ALWAYS tuned to?

2. The Husband recently had to make a trip to Urgent Care...why?

3. I-man's G'ma recently came for a visit. She bought him a clothing accessory. What is it?

4. I usually take how many pics of the boy on days I'm home with him: 1) 10 2) 100 3) 1000 4) what are you talking about? You never take pictures of the boy

5. I-man is currently most interested in which three of the following list: 1) bugging the cat 2) eating 3) walking the dog 4) climbing stairs 5) sleeping long stretches at night 6) taking pictures of me

what tree is this?

Return of the plant quiz!!!!!!!!!!

Amish Peanut Butter, part II (or...I man walks the dog)

The first title is just to get your attention.
This morning we walked the dog in the woods. Like we always do. But today I-man INSISTED on getting down from the front carrier to walk at about the half-way point. He didn't have shoes or socks on. He didn't care. Then he INSISTED on holding onto Maggie's leash for the rest of the walk. So, he walked the dog. He did really well and didn't let go. At one point he needed to be carried (of course!) but he kept holding onto the leash. Wish I had a camera today on the walk, but as I have said before...you can't capture every moment on film.....even though I try! Ha!