Home Remodeling Nearly Complete

It's been a long time coming but at last the remodeling of the kidz home is getting close to completion for 2008. In the upper photo you can see the new tile entry way along with the new wood floor. The kidz seem to be very pleased with the new look and like how quickly it cleans up. (We especially appreciate this feature too!). The bottom photo shows some of the concrete patching that needed to be done prior to the floor installation. Duncan is supervising and inspecting the job. The final carpet tuck will happen tomorrow and all that then remains is to get the new curtains installed. More pictures to follow.

Olympic Training

Now we know that they don't have any events in the Olympics for dogs, but we can hope. So in the event that at some distant point in the future there may be a doggie soccer game, we've started getting our kidz into shape, while at the same time working on some basic ball handling (pawing) skills. Our training approach is based upon things that our kidz love best -- food!. Our approach? --- You put food into a ball and let the kidz smack the ball around to get the food out. It's simple! Here's a video of our kidz in training with the football shaped "ball." Enjoy!

Duncanized!

These kidz can't grow out of their "got to chew everything and anything" phase soon enough. Duncan seems to be the leader of our pack when it comes to getting into trouble. We have a new term at our house for something that get's destroyed ... duncanized (named in honor our our infamous Duncan the Destroyer!) Here are two photos showing some of his most recent sorties against things most sinister that must be destoryed. The first is the wood sill on the window casement and the second, and most heinious duncanization to date, is the front panel on our leather couch. Hope that tasted good Duncan cause you're in deep trouble!!@#$!

The Flying Poodle Smash!

At last, we have proof! (or should I say woof?)We have been trying for quite some time to get a movie of our kidz doing some of their wrestle-mania moves. Our favorite is what we call the flying poodle smash. It's high energy and usually involves some growling, showing of fangs, and flying furr, but is nearly always harmlessly carried out. Here's a short video that gives you a feel for what tickles our innards. Enjoy!

LevelQuick Happens

Installation of the kidz' new wood floors began today. Here's a photo of the work in progress. The kidz are banned to the upstairs while there's glue on the floor so the most they can do is watch. We don't need paws tracking glue all over the house. Perhaps you think we're being a little to controlling ... well, let's just look at what happened this morning while Dad was teaching seminary.

The workmen left a bag of LevelQuick on the floor in the living room. LevelQuick is a concrete product that, when mixed with water, is used to level out uneven surfaces, i.e. our living room concrete pad. Duncan the Destroyer and his sidekick Dakota managed to rip open the bag and start playing in it. They spread concrete dust all over the place!!! The kidz' motto is, "The World is Our Playground" and they mean it. If there is anything in the world that can possibly be used in their romping and playing ... they use it! So we spent time sweeping and vacuuming. As for the kidz, we have learned another of their skills that could come in useful one day--ripping open large bags of concrete ... maybe...maybe not! Now off the bathroom to bathe our playful puppies.

Techno Kidz

The other day I was taking a power nap after an early morning seminary class. I was alone, except of course for the kidz. They were doing the usual morning wrestle-mania activities but at least they weren't being so disruptive that I couldn't snooze lightly. After a time, I became aware that there were voices in the other room. Who could it be? There was a woman's voice and a man's voice that I did not recognize. And then I heard some music! After fully coming to my senses I realized that the Kidz had managed to turn on the TV! I rose and went to the living room to verify my conclusion and sure enough...the TV was on. The kidz aren't really interested in watching TV, for the moment, but even without opposable thumbs I'm finding that "things happen" when you have kidz.

Remodeling Continues

It seems that this remodeling job just keeps going on and on and on and on and ..... You get the idea. Our kidz have demonstrated some increased skills along the way. Now instead of just finding a roll of tape and destroying it, Duncan has learned to peel the tape off of the woodwork. It's a little handy AFTER the paint job is complete but not BEFORE! Duncan you rascal! Dakota seems content, most of the time, to just watch but when Duncan instigates an incident, she's not far behind. Here's a few pictures of Mom doing some touch up at the top of the stairwell. Mom! Don't look down! Note the cool new ladder and scafolding that Dad got to do the project. There's a new tool in every project!