And just like that it's December. The biggest boy and I had a first run-through of Ding Dong Merrily On High after tea. They'll probably have banished us to the garden by Sunday.
The dog is sweeping up fallen leaves with his long fur wherever he goes and then later gently shaking them off all over the carpet. He is scruffy and knotty and doesn't like being combed at all. Any suggestions on how I make him love it, or at least submit with good grace gratefully received.
The littlest boy is in trouble for poor presentation of his homework. Turquoise biro, masses of crossing out, backwards slanting writing and general chaos on the page. But he loves to write and write and write and will often knock up a quick story of an evening. So I am forgiving the turquoise biro shambles.
The biggest boy was looking up quotes from Much Ado About Nothing on the computer for his English homework. He put in Shakespeare and Google told him that Megan Markle is related to Shakespeare and Churchill. All the important stuff is out there.
The dog and the littlest boy are practically the same person, only one is a dog and one is a small boy. Both love sausages, both are fairly crazy and love running about madly, both get SO overexcited by lots of life's little things, both love dogs, both drive me bananas on a fairly regularly basis and both are obsessed with gloves. The littlest boy has asked for two pairs for Christmas, really grippy, which you may remember from a previous (many thanks for your suggestions about where such things might be found, I am on it) and running. Last year it was camouflage. And previously it has been goalie, cycling and skiing. We also have cricket and everyday warm. And extra cycling ones. They live in a basket in the hall, and the dog spends his days carrying them about and leaving them around the place. Honestly, never were boy and dog more suited.
Lovely! All of it! My word Bertie is growing. As to the tangles, I’m fairly sure you can buy spray on conditioner that makes brushing tangly fur easier? Great re the writing and here’s a vote for turquoise ink- children learn better in colour than black ink, so I was told xx
ReplyDeleteBertie is getting so big and HANDSOME! Such a noble beast he is! After I finish this I will go back up and admire him again. Kristi lays on the floor and brushes her dog and she's come to think of it as being petted. I guess that's the answer. Have fun with the holidays.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to do my homework in green ink - I told the teachers that I was supporting Greenpeace, but I actually just liked the colour. We have to cut our house rabbit's claws from time to time. Initially he hated it but we persevered, giving him a treat afterwards. He now sits calmly, knowing that a treat will be forthcoming. Bribery is everything! I love the Bertie in the leaves shots and the fact that he and littlest boy are so similar. Animagus?! Have a fun weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteWe groom Archie every single day otherwise his coat would be such a mess, it tangles so easily. He's very food orientated and will do anything for a treat, including sitting still while we brush him. Perhaps Bertie's love of sausages will work wonders. Just two more weeks before the end of school? Goodness, they're breaking up early this year. I always liked the years when they were in school right up until the last minute and got more time off afterwards.
ReplyDeleteAs with Archie, although Tivvy doesn’t like being groomed she will tolerate it when payment in the form of a treat is given straight afterwards. This can be a dentastick that she needs anyway.
ReplyDeleteNo photography gloves yet? He has asked for more challenging things in the past hasn’t he?
A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. Bertie'e antics had me smiling as usual. xx
ReplyDeleteLife is never dull with a small boy and a dog! Love the pictures of Bertie. I can't offer an advice though, as I have no experience of small boys nor dogs!
ReplyDeleteI love how you describe your littlest boy and Bertie. It all adds evidence to the theory that dogs are like their owners and vice versa. Sorry, I have no advice about brushing dogs - ours is short-haired and loves to be brushed. Sam x
ReplyDeletePS Apols to any teachers out there, but I wouldn't worry about the neatness of schoolwork. It's content that counts :-)
Ah yes, dogs and boys are definitely the same. My youngest, although 25 still rolls around the floor with Hector like he was too a puppy. It drives me insane!
ReplyDeleteI think your littlest boy sounds very practical, wanting gloves for every possible situation. It was the same here at one point. In fact I think there may still be some boxing gloves somewhere (apparently essential for Chi gong workouts). I love that he bangs out so many stories, the writing gene has been passed on! My son was the same when younger; I've saved a few of the stories as they make poignant (and sometimes hilarious) reading. Oh, and my son also loved biros of various hues. It's a boy thing ... Have a lovely week, CJ! xx
ReplyDeleteLittle boys and puppies are so much alike. How sweet they can grow up together and be best friends. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteLove the fact that your littlest and the dog are so similar :-) Top tip for messy dogs is a Dyson cordless hoover. They aren't cheap but are SOOOOO easy to pick-up and whiz round. My collie has long fur and brings a small muddy woodland in every day but the hoover makes clearing it up super easy xx
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny. We haven't had a dog for a few years, but I was recently thinking that my children are not too different from our chickens. They sound the same, especially. I have such handwriting struggles with my son. It's awful. He gets things wrong because nobody can read what he's written. We practice a lot. I hope the next two weeks aren't too crazy for your family. Just focus on the time off at the end. :)
ReplyDeleteIt made me smile when you listed so many of the same interests that your youngest boy and Bertie have! It looks as if Bertie would have enjoyed camouflage stage too!Tavi is still fond of gloves even though he is well past the puppy stage! He is also not keen on brushing as everyone else has mentioned treats are the way to go, if they hate brushing it can be a nightmare at the groomers.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Oh CJ, laughing at the boy/dog thing here. Ziggy has next to no fur so must wear his little coat and endure being stood in the bath for a shower down when he's especially muddy. I never knew there were so many gloves. Angus will be receiving a pair of badger gloves this year from Father Christmas in his stocking. That Father Christmas, he's awfully clever and imaginative. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's equally crazy here. I want it to be end of term because I'm tired, but I don't because there's So Much To Do. Hang in there, sister. xx
oh so funny. we don't have a dog, but I frequently liken my son to a labrador puppy; eats a lot, sleeps a lot, is wild and untrainable, gets away with anything when fixes you with his huge puppy dog eyes....
ReplyDeletewe've had quotes from Much ado on the fridge for months, it was the school play. So Many Lines....
you might be able to rent Bertie out to those mad Instagrammers because he's very 'aesthetic' in the way his colouring blends with the autumnal shades. just sayin'. i'd charge extra for the leaves he picks up en route as they would look utterly fab in a dog-on-rug-by-fire flat-lay. so you see, not much has changed in my world...*gigglesnort*
ReplyDeletei get all of the chuckles from the stories of your boys...i love that Littlest has a fondness for gloves....it's gloriously odd and speaking of which, let no-one tear asunder a love of writing because of ink choice or crossings-out...turquoise biro for the win, i say!!
xoxo
Little boys and dogs, eh? Gotta love them. I am not sure what would be easiest to groom Bertie. My friend's cockapoo goes to the dog groomer more often than she does go and see a hairdresser. Keeping Rudie's fur short seems the only way to keep him clean and neat. It sounds expensive but maybe it is possible to find a second hand dog fur cutting device (not sure what they are called). Hope you have a peaceful week, or that you at least find some pockets of calm here and there xx
ReplyDeleteYour third photo looks like Thornbury Castle. Do you go there sometimes? My parents lived in Thornbury at the end of their lives, firstly in Crossways on Knapp Road, then latterly just off Gloucester Road. Lovely to read your family adventures.
ReplyDeleteYour boy's glove collection reminds me of Monica's (Friends) towel categories ('everyday, guest, fancy guest'). Nothing like being prepared! There are detangling products for dogs (Pet Head is one brand) which might make the grooming more tolerable. One's called Blueberry Muffin which I'm tempted to try on my own hair.
ReplyDeleteYour boys sound so sweet. The dog is beautiful, but I know nothing of how to keep one tame while brushing them out. Good luck. You're going to have a fabulous holiday, chaotic or not, I know because of the singing. Your joy is already in place.
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