Doggie Style

Day 74

Kids embrace the concept of a “re-do.” 

Bad throw in the pick-up football game?  Re-do.  Start the morning as a crab and your mom sends you upstairs to try again?  Re-do.  Someone knocks over the entire monopoly board including hotels off the dining room table?  Re-do. 

The boys and I had such a great time passing out dog biscuits up and down Jolain yesterday that we decide to do it again.  This actually works out well since A. is on his third day with the stomach flu.  That poor child needs a re-do for the last 72 hours. 

“Does your dog want a treat?”  F. asks a lady with a small black poodle mix who’s walking past our bus stop.

“Make him sit,” she says. 

F. scratches the dog’s head and looks into his eyes.  “You’re a good dog.  Good dog.”  Scratch.  Scratch. 

This dog thinks its hit the lottery.  Treats and a head scratch?  Roll me over and rub my tummy and I’ll happily go to that big farm in the sky. 

A recent college grad with a German Sheppard and an older couple with a mop of a dog walk past before the bus pulls up.  Each gladly accepts a dog treat from F.

Re-dos rock.  

For the Dogs

Day 73

The boys and I load the wagon with Cub Scout popcorn and head out.  We’ve got lots to deliver and little time to do it.  Order forms and money are due at Thursday’s pack meeting.  On a whim I grab a box of dog treats and toss them in the wagon. 

“What’s that for?” F. asks. 

“I thought it would be fun to pass out dog treats.  What do you think?” 

“To dogs?”

“I was thinking dogs.” 

“Awesome!”  I love it when one of my ideas gets an “awesome”. 

We live in a neighborhood of dog walkers.  We haven’t gone more than a house length when we spy our first dog.  F. grabs the treat box and sprints towards the pooch. 

“Does your dog want a treat?” 

The owner smiles, “I think she’d love that.” 

F. takes three and drops them into the dog’s open mouth.  The dog’s tail wags manically as he waits for number four.  The owner gives Rosie’s collar a light tug and they continue their walk. 

We don’t limit our dog treats to walking dogs.  We also hand them out to dogs inside houses of homes getting popcorn. 

Hot diggity dog, that was fun.  

Sweet Music

Day 72

I’d replied to Miss Book’s email asking for help with the third grade music program.  This fall, I.’s taken an interest in music so by association I’ve taken an interest in music.

As part of the program, each child receives his or her own recorder.  Each instrument needs to be engraved with the child’s name.  Each needs a necklace attached and its own marked fabric case.  It’s a bigger job that I’d anticipated but am happy to chat (when the engraver isn’t humming) with another third-grade mom who I don’t see often.

I think volunteering at the boys’ school may be one of my favorite things to do.  I’m thrilled that on most days they’re happy to see me.  My kindergartner runs at full speed, barrels into my legs and wraps his arms around me.  It’s a rock star greeting, or a greeting that makes me feel like a rock star.   

Lately, I’ve been getting a less enthusiastic greeting from my third grader: a head nod, a sly smile, a I-see-you-but-don’t-want-my-friends-to-notice shrug.  I’ll take it.