Our Little Tootsie

Hi there...well it's been awhile...I took a little hiatus for the Summer, but now that the kids are back in school, I am back to my blog.  I don't have any little ones anymore and I just brought my youngest back to college. So now it's just Tootsie home with me during the day. Little Toots is keeping me very busy these days. Between puppy training and planning events I haven't had much time to blog, but it's time to get back to business. Let me start off with Little Toots.  She is getting so BIG!!  Yesterday, she was 4 months old.  She's more than doubled her weight since we brought her home. 

Many friends have asked where we got Tootsie.  We found Timber Ridge Kennels online and spoke to Sue, the kennel owner.  We were excited to hear she had an available little female Cavachon, exactly what we were looking for.  A Cavachon is part King Charles Cavalier (her daddy, and a Bichon, her momma)   Tootsie was just 9 weeks old when we brought her home.  My husband and daughter took a road trip to Greenville, Missouri to pick her up.  I was so excited to be a new "mommy" again. She will never take Sadie's place, and I still think about my Miss Sadie, but Tootsie has wiped away those tears.   

Tootsie got her first set of shots the week we brought her home.  At that time she weighed 3.6 lbs.  At her second appointment she had gained just a pound.  And she has another coming up soon...so well see...she loves to eat!! 

Potty training was, not too bad, really.  I have to say...when she snuck into my formal living room and left a little pile on my beautiful area rug...I was SHOCKED!!!  She was doing so well NOT entering that room. I was completely flabbergasted when I saw it....but then I looked at her sweet face, and could hear her saying, "it was an accident mom"!!

She now sits and can lay down on demand, and even shakes hands occasionally.  Walking on the leash is still a challenge; she would rather run home than go on a walk.  The bad news is that it's been so hot here I haven't been able to go outside and deal with the heat, so only short walks in the evening for us. But Fall is just around the corner so we will walk daily in the morning...then she can talk a walk with Dad, in the evening. 

Tootsie does NOT like a bath...she HATES it as a matter of fact!!  I can hardly wait till I can get her groomed ....as cute as she is...I am over this fluffy hair.  One of our neighbors also has a Cavachon, Bentley, Mr. B. for short.  He is about 6 months and I LOVE his kinky curly coat.  I know the feeling, I had kinky curly hair as a kid myself. 

Well, she is now sleeping at the end of couch...her favorite spot.  More puppy updates in the future, stay tuned.

As far as Polka Dots and Parties...I am working at a fast and furious pace filling orders.  Hopefully, I can post a few things this week.  I have something big going on for the fall so I can't wait to share.  Top Secret Stuff!! 

Thanks for stopping by...hope you enjoyed Tootsie's photos.  Lots of parties to share with you from the last few months...stop back soon!

~Margie

  

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Tootsie Roll

Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce you to our newest family member... Tootsie Roll.  She's an adorable Cavachon, 10 weeks old and so far only 3.5 pounds.  We are so lucky to have found her.  I searched for a rescue and just couldn't find a pup we liked.  So my daughter found  Timber Ridge Kennel on line in Missouri, about 6 hours away from Chicago. We were thrilled that there was a female pup available, and my husband and daughter surprised me with this little bundle of joy!  

Sue, the breeder, didn't mention that Tootsie was housebroken, but knock on wood, she has not had any accidents in the house!  Even in the middle of the night.  She slept in my bed and woke me up by pulling my hair last night.  I took her right outside and she did BOTH...then went right back to sleep...but this time in her kennel.  She is just a BOUNCING, ball of fur!  I keep saying to her..."you are such a lucky girl"...but honestly, I am the LUCKY GIRL!!  As much as I still miss my Little Sadie, Tootsie Roll has taken away the tears.  She is just so cute and I couldn't ask for a better behaved puppy.  She is truly heaven sent. Thanks Sadie for sending her my way.     

Help me name my new puppy!

We are so excited...we found a new little puppy.

A Cavachon.  We pick her up on Monday.  I posted on facebook that I needed some suggestions for a name...so I now come to my blogging friends. Any ideas?  

 

My Dog

Those of you who read my blog know that I lost my sweet little Sadie recently. 

OMG, I can't begin to tell you how much I miss her everyday.  I look out my back door and can almost see her leaping through the yard, sprawled out on the lawn chair, or chasing bunnies out of my garden. Her favorite spot was spying at the neighbors while sitting in a leather chair looking out the window or curled up on the couch with our daughter.  

Sadie was more than a DOG, she was my companion, my watch dog and truly my "little girl".  She wasn't too friendly to others, but she was the best for our family. I didn't think I would want another dog so quickly, but I am so lonely!  I look everyday on Petfinder and can't even settle on a breed because Sadie was SO PERFECT!  I love the dachshunds, but I am so scared that since they have back problems the same thing could happen again....and I just can't live through it again.  I still see Sadie's little face looking up at me as if to say, "Mom, I can't walk, what's wrong with me?"  It breaks my heart everyday to relive that day.  

So, I am coming to you, my friends...my blog is VERY active with over 500 visitors each week, so please pass this on, pray that I find a "Forever Friend"  ...I am hoping there is a lonely dog that is looking for a loving family, nice house, beautiful yard...lots of room to run, loves to snuggle and sit on my lap, and needs more love than it could ever imagine.  I want something small, that I can snuggle with,  calm and likes my little granddaughter who visits Pop Pop and Gramma's house often.  Rides in car and short walks would be great too. 

If you know of any pups in need of a loving, forever home please email me! 

Thanks for listening

~Margie      

Lost my Little Sadie

I normally blog on Sundays and sometimes Wednesday.  This week I missed Sunday, and yesterday I lost my sweet little Sadie to a tragic accident.  I will miss her terribly, but I wanted you to know why I have been absent from my blog. 

I do have a wonderful piece to share with ...so please stayed tuned.  I will shoot for Sunday or Monday evening...hoping to feel better by then. Hardest good-bye I have done in a long time!!

Hugs Margie

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Holiday Christmas Party at The Country Club

For the past 8 years Party Connection Events and I have planned a Holiday Party for 250 families at a country club in a suburb of  Chicago.  It's been so much fun bringing in live reindeer, horse drawn sleighs, Santa, Mrs. Claus and of course refreshments to these families on this very special day. This year was no different, well Santa's reindeer were getting ready for their Christmas Eve flight and didn't attend, but two beautiful horse drawn carriages took our guests on a "jingle all the way" ride through the community.  Holly, one of our favorite balloon twisters brought a fellow twister and they made some fabulous balloon characters for each child.  She also created holiday balloon critters as centerpieces for each table at the Gingerbread Bakery...I can't begin to tell you how cute these little guys are, take a look for yourself!

After visiting with Santa, each family stopped at the Gingerbread Bakery for a Christmas Cupcake and a Hot Chocolate.  The entrance way to our Bakery this year was something new.  It was a sure hit as everyone used it for an opportunity to mingle and visit with old friends.  Many neighbors were seen taking pictures around it.  Lots of smiles and laughter were shared that afternoon.  Even Santa strolled through the bakery chatting with families along the way.  

After refreshments, the kids ran downstairs to the craft area where they met Holly and her sidekick in their festive, but crazy hats!!  Lines were long, but well appreciated as each child was able to have their own balloon favor made right before their very eyes!  Holly is always a hit at our special events!  Three new stations were added to our workshop this year. At the Spin Art Station, the kids created their own colorful picture by squirting streams of paint onto a spinning piece of art. The kids loved it and Elf Scarlet was able to help more than 175 kids create their masterpieces.

Then there was Elf Nicole, who helped the kids make a Pucker Powder tube of crazy holiday colors.  Of course this was a HUGE hit with the little ones...the more sugar the better!!  Watch the blog for more ideas using Pucker Powder Straws as we turn them into GREAT party favors at Party Connection Events Polka Dots and Parties. Lastly, the kids made a craft ornament  of Santa's face each piece was carefully cut so all the kids had to do was glue it together. 

   

The day was a huge success and everyone had a GREAT time.  The Holiday Event is already in the works for next year, complete with Santa's Workshop and many more pieces to add to the Gingerbread Bakery.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  

  

This is our little Maggie

This is our first Grandchild, Maggie.  She is truly the apple of our eyes!!   Maggie turned a year this summer.  Wow, time really flies!  We can't wait to share Christmas with her this year.  Lots of pictures will be shared.   

Gingerbread House Contest

Two years ago, at Christmastime, we had a Gingerbread House Contest between my family.  My oldest daughter, Jennifer and her husband Kenny were the first contestants, the second was my daughter Lisa and her husband Jack, the third was my youngest daughter Katelyn, my husband Chet  and myself....unfortunately Kate, Chet and I dropped out before the contest started.  So the battle of the sisters was on. I should mention...this was the second contest of the year between siblings...we did a Pumpkin Carving Contest as well.  Oh what fun we have at home!!

I had my best friend, Mary and her husband Phil come judge our Gingerbread Contest.  We thought it would be a couple hours of fun but it turning into a little more stress than we had anticipated...8 hours later!!  Now we can look back and laugh.  Needless to say, we have not done it since, but we can laugh at it now. I think Jack and Lisa were the winners, complete with electric in their house.  But, I actually think they BOTH won...both houses were beautiful!!

Many More Party Favors

I decided just to add all my favors on one post so I can play catch up and get LIVE with my blogging.  So here goes...lots of things I have made this year.

This was my Cookie Exchange from December 2010 at my home with family and friends.  Unfortunately, this year we did not have another...seems it just didn't fit into our schedules.  Hopefully we will do one for next year.  I was actually thinking of doing something at Easter to celebrate Spring.  

Lots and lots of cookies to share!

 So pretty!!!

Good friends and family!

I Love my flaky friends!!

Family Showers

Last year we had many family events.  Both our oldest daughter and our middle daughter were married in 2010.  That made for a wonderful bridal shower and even a baby shower.  Oh...what fun, you know how I loved that!  So take a peak at our showers and get to know a little about the passion I LOVE...PLANNING SPECIAL EVENTS!

Do you LOVE these Balloon Twists as much as I do?  My good friend, Holly, will be joining us at Polka Dots and Parties as she WOW'S us with her wonderful talents!!