After our walk and tooth cleaning, then comes brushing the boy's coats.  They are brushed first with a pin brush to get the loose hairs in their undercoat, then a comb to get out all tangles, and then finally with a brush to give their coats a shiny gloss.  It is relaxing for the boys and for me.  

If you look in the upper right hand corner, you can see Roy patiently waiting his turn.

The Boy's Grooming Routine

Over the next few weeks I am going to feature the "Boy's Grooming Routine."  

After we return from our two mile walk, I first brush Andy and Roy's teeth.  This picture is of Roy getting his "pearly whites" brushed.  Both boys like the taste of their mint toothpaste and always get a goody for allowing Mom such intimate contact with their mouths.  They will even let me use a dental scraper on some stubborn stains.  My human dentist was amazed that they allowed me to scrape their teeth!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter!

Roy is more interested in getting his picture taken than

ferreting through the eggs to see if there

is anything good to eat inside.

Andy on the other hand is sure

there is a treat in there somewhere!

For Andy, "Hope springs eternal!"

Kong Treats

Every night after playtime with Dad, Andy and Roy get a "Kong treat."  Tonight it was a piece of a hot dog stuffed inside the Kong.  Andy will usually work on his Kong tirelessly for hours, if necessary.  Roy will work at it for a while and then say, "What the heck," and go take a nap.  If Andy doesn't succeed in getting the treat out of the Kong after a while, I will get it out for both of them.  Maybe Roy is just being uncharacteristically smart, and deciding to wait for ME to do all the work.

Camellias

Our camellias are in full bloom now.  We have several dozen throughout our yard amidst the abundant azaleas.  Last summer's drought doesn't seem to have hurt their blooms; for the bushes are crammed full of flowers.  We also have forsythia and daffodils blooming, but still have the chill of winter in the mornings.  I am about to get "spring fever."

George Washington's Birthday

Yesterday we invited some choir friends over for Sunday dinner to celebrate George Washington's Birthday.  (His actual birthday was Friday, but, hey, any excuse for a party!)

As I have said before, Andy is usually "Mr. let me get to know you" before he allows himself to be touched or loved in any way.  Wendy was the exception.  The boys are not allowed on the furniture, but allowed in laps, so you can see that Wendy has a lap full!

Roy's Trick

After I pictured Andy and his brainy trick of fetching his toys by name, I promised Roy I would feature him.  Here he is all by himself!   This is Roy's one show-off trick: shaking hands!  Of course, he can also catch a frisbee, but that is hard to catch on camera.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 My Three "Boys:"  Roy, Phil, Andy

Happy Valentine's Day!  

                           

Huge Camellia

It is February and all of our camellias are starting to bloom.  This particular bush is taller than me!  Its blooms look like miniature 
carnations.

Andy's toys

Here is Andy with the toys he knows how to fetch by name:  (from L-R) duck, frisbee, dog, cow, rabbit, and cookie monster.  You can also see part of Andy and Roy's  "dining table" in the upper left of the picture.

Roy was not too happy about being left out of this picture.  Both boys know what is going to happen when I get out the camera.  Next time, I will have to pacify Roy and post only his picture!