If Obama wants a Goldendoodle, he just might end up with a Poodle!

This is Bailey our Goldendoodle Puppy (10 months old) I hear the new President Elect is considering a Goldendoodle for his girls. Very good choice, she's a great dog...if only she didn't love to dig! Here's Bailey's story...Suddenly one day when trying to brush the dog, I realized that she was getting matted hair. I brushed, clipped, brushed, clipped and brushed some more, but it seemed hopeless. So I called the groomers, it was time to pay the buck and get some help. So... What happens when you take a Goldendoodle puppy in to the groomers and repeatedly say over and over-

"I like the shaggy dog look, I do NOT want a poodle cut?"

My Hubby picked the dog up from the groomers, this is what he told me. "The lady was talking all about Bailey and how she did while being cleaned up, meanwhile this white dog was wandering around the store- I just figured it was the store dog. So then she asks me what I think about Bailey and I look around to see her. The lady points to the white dog and I had to ask her if the white dog was Bailey! It looks nothing like her, I can't believe it's the same dog!"

When he walked in the front door with Bailey, the kids were a bit hesitant to approach her. Maybe they thought we traded her in for a dog that doesn't dig! Ha! They want to know how long it takes for the hair to grow back.

The groomer informed me that one possible reason that her hair was so matted was because she was neutered, was under meds and after that happens they start to loose their puppy hair and their adult hair comes in... at the same time as a winter coat coming in...Yikes!

On a positive note: it's much easier to wipe her feet off when she comes inside. I feel like she is always looking at me though, I've never seen her eyes before!


(No offense to anyone who has a poodle, knows a poodle, likes the poodle cut or cuts the poodle cut.)

It's happening already

I know I haven't posted in awhile, so it probably isn't healthy to start off by venting, but I feel this is important. It's been in the headlines (No not politics) Girls and their self image issues. Molly is 7 and she completely stunned me. While getting ready for gymnastics, she was very upset because her leotard didn't have a skirt. At first I thought she was upset because Lolo's outfit had a skirt and hers did not. I finally got it out of her... the reason she wanted a skirt on her leotard??? "My legs are too fat right here!" Pointing at her thighs.

I was shocked, sad and a bit disappointed...in myself. Why would she think she is fat there? It can't possibly have anything to do with my own self insecurities. I'll just blame it on school, yeah someone at school must have taught her this, not me- right?! TV, it had to be on tv...

My Hubby and I have both been trying to watch what we eat and loose a few extra pounds here and there. It has been open conversation in our house. We have always talked about healthy food, vitamins and how they help make you strong and healthy. I even went as far as to tell them that "Yes, you should eat the crust on your sandwich, that's where all the vitamins are!" (I'm sure there are vitamins in the crust, it's not a complete fib) My children have so graciously pointed out that my tummy is still big, even though there isn't a baby in there- thanks girls! With so much focus on loosing weight being shoved down our throats today, did I really expect to not have this happen in my house? I have 4 girls after all, it was bound to come up. So what do I do about it?

I have decided that we are no longer going to discuss loosing weight in the house. We are going to focus on living healthy lives. That's it. I will continue to monitor what shows they watch, but I fully know that I can't possibly shield them from everything forever and would like them to know the difference between what media and society say are beautiful and what is actually healthy and beautiful.

I recently went to a seminar that addressed this and many other important issues in parenting. The speaker was Marybeth Hicks. She authored a book called 'Bringing up Geeks' and while I haven't read the book yet (that requires time to sit down) I highly recommend her and the topics that she speaks on. If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, get a babysitter and make it a date night- she's great!

What are we teaching our children and how can we make it better?

Can't keep this to myself

You have to go check out this blog. Bridget just had her 5th child, yet she finds time to create the most beautiful things. From quilts to baby booties- you have to check it out! Take note of her Etsy store...Yeah she has time to open a store... she is amazing!

Me on the other hand, I have been a Bad bad blogger. I apologize to all my blog friends for not visiting and commenting. What have I been doing? Organizing. I look around my house and see the chaos and wonder what I have been organizing. I am sure there is some corner of this house that is organized, I just need to find it. I have been ripping through closets, drawers, dressers, rooms and the shed. I have moved furniture and rugs around. Donated all kinds of clothes and toys. Yet as I look around here, I am convincing myself that all that organizing was only Round 1. Beware of Round 2, I will be even more stealthy with toy removal. I will be more aggressive with the dust bunnies. Darn it- I want progress. I want something to show for my hard work and right now I just see clutter. Looks like I better get back to it. Round 2- ready or not here I come!