Hello, everyone. My name is Louie, and I’ve been elected to tell you about my awesome pack of dogs and humans. Well, I elected myself, actually. I’m not the oldest dog in the house — that’s the hound-mix, Abby, who’s 12. And I’m not the biggest dog in the house, either — I’m a Chihuahua, so I’m a compact powerhouse! But I am the one in charge. I recently turned 10, and unlike Abby, who mostly likes to nap, sniff around for signs of the neighbor cats along our fence line, and nap some more, I still love to play with our two younger brothers, Ace and Rio. That is unless my favorite human, Alivia, is around. She’s the oldest human daughter, so she’s moved out of the dog house. But I sure perk up when she comes around to visit — and pout when she leaves. There’s really no place in the world I’d rather be than on her lap! Okay, okay. I also love being on my momMindy’s lap, too! I’M IN CHARGE Louie the Chihuahua Tells His Family’s
DIY or Buy? The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. GIANT JENGA: EASY DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two-by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/ make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions. LAWN GAMES FOR FAMILY SUMMER FUN
Abby has a favorite human, too. Hers is Caleb, and he’s still living at home. We’ve loved growing up beside him, and he’s old enough now that he’s thinking about leaving the nest. That’s too bad for Mindy and our dad, Coty, because Caleb is the only one Abby listens to! She’s loved him since she first saw him when she was a mere pup in the parking lot trying to get adopted out by the Humane Society. Mom and Dad say she didn’t pay anyone any attention, but when Caleb walked by, she knew she found her “furever” home.
Ace and Rio are the newest members of our pack. Ace is turning 2 in June, and he’s a chocolate Lab. His coat is so dark and shiny that even I find it beautiful to look at! Mom and Dad found Ace in Idaho. They went thinking they’d get a black Lab but came home with Ace, the athletic, dark-chocolate coated canine. Dad likes to say that Ace picked them! Sometimes that happens with us
Buy : Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high.
CLASSIC HORSESHOES: INTERMEDIATE DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy-horseshoe-pit. Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set from Wayfair.com, which requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children. CORNHOLE: ADVANCED DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with two-by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete.com/cornhole-board-plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com.
dogs. We just know which humans are meant to be ours.
Chewy Cat Treats
Ingredients
• • • • • • •
1 large egg
4 oz wet cat food
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 tsp olive oil 2 tbsp water
1 cup brown rice flour 1/2 cup rice, cooked
Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!
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