|
Hi, this is Gracie. Welcome to #3 in my How To series. This week we'll learn How to Host a Playdate - sort of.
In this episode, we were going to do our annual Summer Bash Fundraiser/Playdate/Picnic, but we had a horrible thing go wrong before the guests showed up and we had to cancel. Some folks were already on their way, and we had to 'wing it' a bit. What can you do??
|
|
So we've invited all our guests, we've got the RSVP list and they'll all be here in 2 hours. Time to prep the yard.
After you've picked up up all the stuff that can be chewed, hauled off or tinkled on, you may want to provide a little shade - tents!
|
|
After you've talked your people into setting up the tents, you should go check the air lock gate.
An air lock gate is a double gate arrangement - iggys and people come in one gate, close it, go through the second gate...iggys come in, but they can't accidently get out.
|
|
OK, Dad, we can't have tent ropes hanging out to the sides, so you need to make sure those feet are staked down really good.
We don't think this will be enough shade, so lets put up the second tent, too.
|
|
Uh, guys....someone is running a chain saw.... |
|
What do you mean the neighbors are cutting down the 2 big trees behind the shed?? But the branches hang over into our yard - alot. We have people coming! They'll be here in less than two hours!
Mom! I need the computer! We need to send out emails and make some calls!
|
|
We contacted most of the guests, but some slipped through the cracks and we expect they'll show up in a little while.
Its really loud from all the cutting and we don't want to freak anyone out. They're being really safe over there, but no one wants to go to a playdate where the background music is chainsaws.
Auntie Beth and her pack arrived from the south - its a 2 hour drive for them and they were almost here when we found out we couldn't stop the cutting thing.
Everyone in her pack got their nails painted special for the fundraiser.
Neville got a turquoise to match his collar.
|
|
Lydia showed up in pink that matches her collar, too.
I've asked Auntie Beth if she'd be willing to paint toenails at our next event - I'm gonna get mine done!
|
|
Uh oh, a few of the guests are arriving because they didn't get the message in time. Dad takes the people aside before they get to the yard so they knew exactly what is going on. |
|
Some people drove a long LONG way and decide to stay for a while to give their iggys a break in the travel. We are all staying over by the koi pond and AWAY from the loud fence with the trees.
The cutter guys found out we had guests coming and they got all the cutting near our fence done before anyone showed up, so we'd all be safe. Its just loud now, as they chop up and shred the branches they cut off, but none of us are really wild about that part.
|
|
Some of us watch the tree cutting. Its not that exciting, but its something to talk about. This is totally going to screw up our shady yard for playdates.
Our mom says she's going to buy a tree tomorrow and plant it so we can have some shade again - but it will take some time to grow in.
|
|
Here we are hanging out in the grass near the tents and our people. We're keeping it pretty low key today. Lots of ear licking and sunbathing.
We also know that Dad is cooking burgers, so we don't want to get too far away in case someone drops something. |
|
Its always nice to see old friends (some we only see once a year) but we don't have to run all the time. Laying in grass is nice too.
My brother Luca makes a good pillow, but I usually have to wait until he goes to sleep or he grumbles at me. |
|
We're really glad we put up tents for the few people that are here. Its way more sunny now and you couldn't see the neighbor house before. Violet is barking at the cutter guy on the tree so he stays on his side of the fence and out of our yard.
She did a really good job, too, because they were very careful to never come too near our fence. Grrrrrrrrr. |
|
One of our local fosters stopped by, too. (Isn't he handsome?) He is moving from a foster home in the south to one in the north and hopped a ride up from our place. We're in the middle between Seattle and Portland, so our house becomes a handy transfer spot or adoption point during play dates. |
|
Ahhhh, FINALLY! Dad grilled burgers and hotdogs. Time to hit the people up for snacks. We all put on our cutest "isn't that for me?" face and start to make the rounds. (except for Libby, she kept trying to steal people's food when they weren't looking) |
|
Now its time for a little snuggle with our people. Its been a strange day and we all could use a lap to lay on. |
|
So, that's all for today. As you can see, what may look like a disaster can turn out ok with a little patience and support from friends.
Tune in next week for How To #4 - How to Plant a New Shade Tree!
We're working on your request for How To Open the Biscuit/Treat Bin, but Pippin still needs a little time with our bin to figure it out.
Thanks for watching! |
|
|
