A sweet Instagram follower reminded me that I haven’t done a family post in a while. And honestly…why haven’t I? I don’t even know! I guess we have been so busy trying to get organized and plan things for the family and for the blog and for the house that I have completely forgotten to update you on my little loves!
Here are some of the highlights of the past few months….
Holiday at SCHOOL! Oh dear – Will had a part of a solo in his Christmas Pageant and I about DIED. He memorized his song in a heart beat and my mom helped him learn the notes (heaven knows his mama can’t carry a tune) so when it came time to perform, he was pumped like a Reebok. So many folks came up to us at the end and commended him and for him (love language being words of affirmation) he never has been so happy. I could not have been more proud. It’s just not possible.
Photo ops! My camera shutter pretty much died. It was sad. I really wanted to get the Mark III but we ended up snagging the 70D and I really love it. It’s so easy to use and I honestly couldn’t recommend it more. Since it had been so long with no great photos of the kids….I think I lost the knack…the quickness…the speed for adjustments…so I now need to practice.
This dude is officially a sitter-upper but often he prefers to go straight to his belly and pivot around to get things. It’s adorable and I am trying to soak it in before he becomes mobile…because once that happens, the poo hits the fan.
Weston has officially become our most unpredictable child. For Christmas Eve at church the kids did a bells performance. The main goal is not to get the kids to play a song….that is ridiculously lofty for a group of 3 and 4 year olds…the goal is to get the kids on stage with a bell in their hand. Weston walked up there in front of hundreds of people, smiled, played his bell on cue and then decided halfway through the performance that he was done. He just dropped his bell and walked off stage into the sea of adults. It was a legitimate three year old mic drop….and it was hilarious.
Visiting Santa this year was AWESOME. Will was super excited (he is the perfect age for Santa visits!) and brought his list with him as well as his class Mascot….Max the Moose. He was so excited to see Santa whip out his own stuffed reindeer! He talked about it for days.
Weston was a little more shy but way better this year than last. Also…he is the master of making faces. The kid is so expressive and hilarious. I know most people tell their kid to smile but I can’t help but love this stage he is in. I try not to show it because I don’t want him to get extra attention for being silly – but it is just so HIM.
LJ’s visit was exactly how I predicted….still not a fan…even if candy is involved.
Max was a champ and after a lot of deep conversations with him about it, I think he really nailed the whole ‘gerber-baby-with-Santa’ look. The reason he is pointing is because he wants you to know he’s got this whole photography thing DOWN 🙂
We even managed to get a group shot…where nobody is screaming or crying….just a little cheek stroking going on 🙂
Christmas itself was pretty awesome. We didn’t go anywhere which is great. The kids were sick the week before and the trip to Chattanooga was canceled so Chattanooga came to us (all the grandparents were at our house on Christmas day! Hooray!). Christmas Eve was very special – we actually spent it with Jeremy’s mom and it was Maxi Knight’s first!
I got some amazing gifts…but my favorites were from Will – his homemade gifts were surprises from school and I know I will treasure these way more than shoes or a jacket (although I got those too and love them!). Nothing says love like spray painted macaroni!
Christmas morning photos were hilarious. I knew that if we didn’t get them before the presents were opened then there was zero chance of getting them later. It took a few tries…
But we got a keeper! Also – we did not do matching jammies for the christmas photo…instead we did theme of STRIPES! I love how it looks and the boys all felt super happy with their different ones 🙂
Grand Bee wins for the best photo this year with the kiddos 🙂 Also – best gift of the year was the new trampoline we have in our yard. We put it right near the driveway and the kids can spend hours out there enjoying it. Jer and I love it because it means they are basically zipped up in a netted bounce house while we work on projects – still within view and having a blast 🙂
I don’t know if this is a highlight or just a random fact of our current daily life….LJ and Weston both seem to be hitting the TERRIBLES at the same time and their verbal skills are fairly matched (we know that Weston understands more but LJ is more compliant about new words….so like if Weston believes that “yesterday” means “tomorrow” he will throw a fit if we correct him…whereas LJ tries to use the word “tomorrow” but we have no idea what he may be trying to actually communicate….needless to say, the communication frustrations are REAL.) I love the irony of this photo…
Another big first is that we started Max on trying out solids…we decided to go with bananas as the first food because rice cereal has just been an epic fail with the other boys. Discovery mode is so fun when it comes to these things…
He was so into it….
…until he wasn’t. So now we know that the texture of banana (both mashed or solid) is not his jam. He has successfully started on little puffs and he tries different purees but we think that he will be the longest when it comes to nursing. Hopefully we will make it to a year! That is the goal. Cross those fingers for us.
Also – due to the sheer amount of food that ends up on our floor every day…we are considering getting a dog. I know that might sound crazy but the kids are really asking for one and Weston already pretends that he has one. He says that it sleeps with him at night. And that it tries to eat his face 🙂
So that is what is going on with us lately. I miss giving you guys these family posts. Do you miss them? Or is it just me? I feel like fridays would be a good day to just schedule a recap of each week. Is that weird or do you think it would work? I know that my parents and grandparents would LOVE it….let’s face it….they would probably pay me in babysitting for that….which is basically the highest form of money around these parts 🙂
Yes, yes, yes – Friday family posts! I missed them!!
Love seeing what your little men are up to. Just wondering if weekly may be a bit too onerous for you – monthly would be fabulous
Yes get the dog! Mine are definitely our kiddo clean up crew!
fun update! I like them so I’d be okay with family updates. Also, if you get a dog then there is bound to be some great stories and photos there!
Yes to Friday family posts! I love these (well I love all your posts). The Christmas photos were so great, I’m glad you shared them.
Gotta say I always wondered how people with babies did it when they don’t have a dog. So much easier when it comes to kitchen/floor clean up!
Ahh Katie, it’s posts like these that make me realize 4 is doable and I shouldnt be terrified of having another babe even with a business and all the shananigans in my life! Keep these posts coming!!
I love these posts! Your boys are adorable and I love how you embrace their personalities. Weekly or monthly family update posts would be great.
Oh I hope you decide to get a pup. They are the best family addition EVER! I work with a couple of rescue organizations up here in Charlotte if you ever have any questions. ;).
Yes we miss posts like this and love them! I find myself searching your insta just to get glimpses like this! Also, I’m firmly pro-dog! I’d just recommend one that ISN’T prone to hyperness for your own sanity!
Keep the family updates coming. I love your DIY posts but this family one takes the cake! Great to read about how different all the boys’ personalities are! Love that.
A weekly update of your beautiful family would be wonderful!
I kind of love seeing your little family grow up!
Also, do whatever keeps the grandparents happy so you can negotiate more date nights 😉
I am 36 weeks pregnant with #2 thinking, this really could be the last one. How will I possibly handle my crazy 2.5 year old and this one without losing it? Yep, pretty sure we are done after this! Then I see pictures of your four boys and think, what if you had stopped at Weston?? I could totally handle that! Maybe we aren’t done so fast….. 🙂
Loved the recap 🙂 and I know everyone would totally love a weekly recap on Friday – your family is too adorable not to share these photos with us!
I love the family posts! I love all the DIY stuff, but most of the time my reaction is “ain’t nobody got time for that.” I’m amazed at what you guys accomplish with four little ones.
Also, I know you’re not allowed to have favorites, but I can and LJ is my favorite. I can’t get over his hair and those big eyes. He’s so stinking cute!!!
Family posts for the win!
LOVE the family posts! Keep em coming!
Oh I love all these photos! Your boys really are too cute. It’s interesting how you can tell they’re all brothers, but they each look so unique & different. I think little Max is a dead-ringer for mama though 🙂 You should totally get a dog!! I would love seeing that rambunctious energy with your boys & all the shenanigans they would get into. I recommend a basset hound – lazy enough to not stress you out, will dutifully clean up every scrap off your floor & great with kids. Thanks for all the fun posts!
Adorable children and photos of them. I for one always enjoy a family update!
I love these kind of posts! Definitely keep them coming pretty please! 🙂 You mentioned getting a 70D camera, that is the Canon 70D, correct? I’m asking because my husband bought me the Canon 70D for Christmas and I’m loving it but I still have soooo much to learn about using it and I was wondering if you’d do an update post in a little bit on how you like it and maybe some tips or tricks you care to share? 🙂
~Hannah
I was going to ask you to promise me to recreate that first picture of the boys in front of the Christmas tree in like 20 years (even if you don’t have a blog…you could always email it to me) but then they just kept getting better!! You’re probably just going to have to recreate like 100 pictures a year when the boys get older! I love the updates and think Friday Family Updates would be fun!
Even a monthly or bi-monthly update would be sweet.
I love house posts but I capital L-O-V-E family posts! 🙂
Yes yes yes to the dog! SO rewarding!! My family and I have always stuck with the shelties (lassie dogs) they are the sweetest, so mild mannered and BEAUTIFUL. Perfect for little kids that want to play and pull on them all day. They love the attention and will be so sweet in return. Love the recap, your kids are perfectly adorable.
I love the family posts! Keep ’em coming!
As a mom to 4 kids close in age like yours, we got a dog for my only daughter’s birthday last year. While we all absolutely adore him, dogs/puppies are SO much work and its exacerbated by the fact that my kids are under 10 and struggle with the responsibility (they are all older than yours right now though). They forget to shut the door behind them and he runs outside, and even though he’s trained fairly well, he still wants to have a jaunt around the yard/neighborhood which is inconvenient when you are getting in the car to go somewhere, for example. Also, though not nearly as hard as a new baby, they require time, affection, patience, grooming and training similar to a new little one. While it sounds wonderful, HONESTLY, I really think you would regret getting one with so many little ones right now. That’s my 2 cents from a mom of a 9,8,7, and 5 year old.
On my goodness! Cute overload! Baby Maxi Knight is beyond adorable! Seriously, he gives me the baby fever. I love these family recaps and hope you will do more! Congrats on unbelievably awesome holiday photos! You are a wonder woman, Katie Bower! (Excuse my excessive use of exclamation points. I can’t control myself.)
Do it! Would love the updates and then you’ll have a little family yearbook.
Katie, my daughter made the spray painted macaroni 28 years ago, and was still on the tree this year! I am sure yours will be too. Zoe xx
I love the family updates to see what has been going on with all of you. I think a weekly or bi-weekly update would be perfect. It’s fun to see how your little guys are changing and what stages they are in.
Yes, I miss the family posts!! Love seeing all of the cute pictures of your beautiful boys!
I LOVE your family posts. Keep ’em coming! Now that I have my own child (a daughter who is a few weeks younger than LJ) I can especially appreciate them more. The more the merrier! <3
Your boys are so adorable! I love updates about your family!
If you guys are really considering getting a dog let me recommend that you get something small or mid-sized with minimal shedding and that doesn’t drool. I hate when I read comments from people and they are trying to tell you what to do, but I have to warn you to try to save you! I have 3 kids and 2 Saint Bernards and let me tell you, they are so, so messy! My husband had them before we met so I am just stuck with them. I didn’t live with them before we were married so I had no idea how much I would dislike having pets in the house. I tell my husband all the time it’s a good thing we didn’t shack up because those dogs would have been a marriage deal breaker. I now know I’m the kind of person who prefers to have a goldfish as a family pet. Good luck with whatever you decide!
haha! The drool is a deal breaker 🙂
xo – kb
Oh my gosh the cheek stroking comment literally made me burst out laughing. You got great Christmas photos this year! I love the one in front of the tree with LJ turned around. So funny! And YES to more family posts! The ones of Will’s baseball adventures are some of my favourites 🙂
I’ll just say, my dog keeps my floors clean. If he’s at the kennel and I’m cooking, I realize how much i drop on the floor. When our friends kids are over and eating, he sits at their feet hoping for kids to be kids. And have you seen mamasgonecity with her kids napping with the dog? Adorbs.
I like the family recap! More please!!
That’s a good idea! I will put it on my list 🙂
xo – kb
My kids are teenagers. My 14 year old daughter started asking us recently to have another baby (!) and then finally switched to asking for a puppy. It seemed a lot easier than a baby, so we finally caved. There are 4 big people taking care of this puppy and all I can think of is how on earth people with small children and dogs/puppies do it?
I enjoy your blog, as it is one of the few I subscribe to. And I rarely if ever comment or voice my opinion. But may I just throw my two cents in regarding the dog? I have two dogs and love dogs. But your boys might be just a little young for a dog yet. It might be better to wait until they are a little older. Sometimes when kids are too young they might do things to the dog that the dog doesn’t care for and it can end up in disaster for everyone involved. I speak from experience after having stitches on my face and living with a scar all my life. But it wasn’t the dogs fault…
I think a good rule of thumb is to have a dog when children can have a share in caring for it.
Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox now!
All the best to you & your family
I love your family recaps! I vote more!
Yep, Friday family posts!
More family recaps for sure! I wouldn’t necessarily “recommend” getting a dog that is a pretty big decision that you have to make yourself, but whenever I go over to someones house and they don’t have a dog, I’m all “how do you clean your floors” lol! We have a Chihuahua and I swear I barely buy regular dog food for all the people food (veggies and meat) that she eats. It’s actually probably better for her.
I love hearing family updates! I love seeing all of the sibling photos (we’re still a one baby family) and I can’t wait until Christmas mornings with more than one baby.
Definitely get a dog! You’re kids will love growing up with a puppy and there is nothing better than letting the dog clean up the floor.
You have a beautiful family and I love the family recaps!
I was wondering if you would do a 2015 Christmas decorations post even though it’s February? You are such a creative person and a master at the little details that make a house a home. I’m especially interested in how you use ribbon on your tree. It looks like in the one picture you have 3 different ribbons?
Thank you for sharing!
I love the family recaps!!! We met once when you did my daughter’s senior pictures. You were pregnant with Weston at the time. Time flies!!!
I would wait a few more years to get a dog. It would be a great way to teach responsibility when Will is a little older. I would wait until Max is 3 or so.
I would love to hear a recap on Friday’s!! Y’all had a very blessed holiday!
I like the family posts! Even if they aren’t weekly, once or twice a month would be great! Also, I’ve got a little guy that is getting close to the terribles, so if you have any tips on how you guys deal with things like that, I’m sure I’m not the only one that would love to hear them! I only have one kiddo right now, but we’re also considering a dog. I’d really love to have one, but some of my friends that do tell me that they are so much work & take away time with kids, so I’m torn. Thanks for sharing your cute family with us!
I love this little update!
We had a dog until recently (*tear*), but it was a god-send when it came to cleaning up the messes on the floor – honestly! Not to mention, it helped our 4 year old learn responsibility (feed the dog) and how we have to work as a family to make sure he’s taken care of (walking the dog), etc.
Hopefully you get a chance to respond to this because I’ve been meaning to ask you for some time – I see Will in sleeper style jammies still. How does that work with him being potty trained? Does he go and unzip them himself or does he still need someone to help him? Our oldest guy is 4 and potty trained and thus always in 2 piece jammies for ease to go potty, but was super curious!
you have such a beautiful family, i love seeing these posts!! I dont know what you are talking about needing more camera practice, your photos always look amazing!!! Yes get a dog, dogs are the best. We didnt get one until we moved to a house that had a lot of land, which I think you guys do. Dogs are great vacumms too 🙂 You guys look like a golden retriever family…cant wait to see what yall settle on
I’m going to be lone voice here, but don’t get a dog! I love my 3 dogs, but they require time and money and attention just like a kid. You’ll trip over them, clean up after them, feed, water, exercise them, train them, have to get a sitter for them. Sound familiar? LoL. Wait a couple more years until older boys can really be trusted to take care of it. I tell my grands, that the rule is you don’t eat until the dog has been taken care of twice a day. Dogs are like babies, they can’t take care of themselves, totally dependent on you. Its a good lesson, for them to put needs above their own, but yours aren’t quite old enough to appreciate that yet. AT LEAST, spend the summer petsitting a few times before you do it. Or foster from your local shelter, before you commit. Ok…sorry for unsolicited advice. Thanks for listening.
I love the family posts, also! The bittersweet photo of LJ expressing communication frustration said it all, and your comment on the irony made me laugh out loud!
Having read the other comments, I would like to contribute to the “dog” discussion. I am always pro-dog, but the right fit is important. We have a sweet-natured, low key napper (this is her bio, such a star, http://strayrescue.org/WelcomehomeRPM). My sister has a high energy, part of the fun, active girl. We both think about the other – “your dog is perfect for you!” and at the same time “I could never have your dog!” Though there are times when having a dog just wouldn’t fit the situation, e.g. a work schedule that doesn’t allow for time to spend with it, I say yes to dogs! They contribute to the family in so many ways, babysitting, taking care of housekeeping duties (i.e. clean-up), and most importantly, companionship.
It cracks me up that you want to get a dog to help clean up with food messes. That is exactly why some of my friends have them too. 🙂 It is also much less wasteful if you think about it. 😉
#firsttimecommenter
What’s funny is when have a dog that cleans up the crumbs- you sometimes forget to clean up the crumbs when you’re somewhere that doesn’t have a dog. Or is that just me??
Love the updates! And the crafts. And the projects. Just keep it all coming…
Hi Kathy! How are y’all doing now?!
xo – kb
Yes I used lots of ribbon this year because it is so inexpensive and child friendly! We basically just tie it all at the top and then do wide ‘wraps’ that tuck and curl at the same time. Then we alternate the ribbons so that it looks cohesive.
xo – kb
Yes – Will can unzip. He doesn’t need help with it anymore. In fact, my boys generally learn how to do zip up jammies before they start potty training 🙂 But yes, it can be a little tedious because they have to remove their arms from the jammies when they need to go 🙂
xo – kb
Fostering sounds great but also a little scary because I don’t know that particular dogs situation. We hesitate to bring in a dog that we don’t know the history, ya know?
xo – kb
I love the family updates! Your boys are all so freakin’ cute! and I know I’ve said this before, but that little Weston cracks me up. I now look for his goofy faces in your photos. 🙂
oh, and I think a dog brings so much to a family. I say go for it — if you decide it’s a good fit/good time for your family.
Loved the update!! Yes, would love to see more. Those kiddos are ADORABLE!!!
Would love a weekly update! The kids are so adorable and getting so BIG! Little Weston in particular seems to have grown up overnight!
um. yes. more please. ♥ your blog!
Love seeing the updates!! Your boys are so darn cute!!
I didn’t realize how messy my kids were during meals until my dog passed away.
Love the updates! If you have time, then YES!
I love the Family Updates. Keep them up, please! Love hearing about the kiddos. Max looks a lot like you!
Please post a pic of them on the trampoline! We have one for our 3 and the pictures we get…so fun!
Hi Katie, first time commenter here. I love your blog, and your family is so adorable. I’m only writing because I’m so passionate about dog rescue and wanted to second the above opinion about fostering. It’s a trial run and you’re saving a life.
I volunteer at a shelter and see the horrifying statistics about people “buying” a dog when they’re not ready (from a breeder or a puppy mill…sometimes horrible conditions for the parent dogs), dumping them at a shelter, and the healthy and well behaved pup gets euthanized. Just saying… there are a lot of great dogs out there that are already known to be great with kids and are sadly stuck behind bars on death row because people think rescue dogs are broken.
Do what’s best for your family, of course. I just think it would be really cool way to teach your kiddos (and your BowerPower community) about rescuing.
Thanks for letting all of us strangers into your lives and dealing with our unsolicited opinions… 🙂
Family posts are so fun. I’ll happily read them weekly, but no pressure on you to do them that often!
Dog-wise, we have a golden retriever/yellow lab mix and he is wonderful. Puppy training is intense, but if you hit it hard for the first few months you end up with a sweet, well trained furry family member for a decade! A huge key is getting the pup at the right time of year…not when you have a huge vacation or a new baby expected during the training phase! I selfishly hope you go for it, but of course you have to decide if you want to add a pup to your plate and when 🙂
Oh I love this family update! The children are so adorable!! If you’d like to post Will’s solo, we’d love to hear it too!
So funny! My friend has 2 boys and a dog and the other day she said she was at a realatives and the kids dropped food and she just left it and then though “oh crap I actually have to pick that up!” So no, not just you! 😉
P.S. Katie you are hilarious and your boys are just too adorable!
You have such a lovely family! and your little baby is so cute and adorable!
Hi! Long time reader first time commenter! You children are beautiful, looks like you had and amazing Christmas. I’m due with my third and love seeing your big family .
I think a dog would be the perfect addition. We have a Newfoundland. They may be huge, but seriously no better family dog around.
Good luck
Love seeing pictures of your adorable family Thanks for sharing!
I love all the family pictures. We just started solids with our 6 month old. We’re trying out baby-led weaning and a dog is a must! I make the excuse that it’s all healthy food so it’s ok!
Oh I am definitely not opposed to a rescue…that is actually my preference! I think that it would need to be a puppy though…so that it is raised into our family and knows our kids. It is a hard decision because I do believe there are pros and cons to all things – puppy vs older dog, breeder vs rescue, etc…..it’s definitely something we are taking seriously though!
xo – kb
LOVE the family updates! 🙂 Keep ’em coming!
Plus I am always one to advocate for free babysitting.
I love the family posts! They are so sweet!
When I first saw the picture of the ornament Will made, it looked like a bunch of miniature tools – could totally just be me but I thought it was very appropriate. And adorable!
I think dogs are amazing! We have 3 and they are our kids (as we don’t have any) (nor would I recommend getting 3….that’s a bit much with 4 little boys, lol!) If you do decide to get one, please rescue! There are so many other there that need loving homes and it’s like they know you saved them.
Your boys are precious! I say get a dog. I waited until my kids were a bit older….. 7 and 9, but In hindsight I don’t know that I think it really matters as far as the extra work and mess. Its not so bad really. Except for the midnight potty runs the first few months it was better than I had expected. And when you’re already used to cleaning up after little ones eh….what’s one more LOL. We have a teeny little Maltese. She slept straight through the night with no potty breaks from 6 months in her crate without a peep. She’s the sweetest thing and the joy of my kid’s life. And I have to give a plug for standard poodles for a larger dog. They are smart, easy to train and make great family pets. Despite the need to groom IMO they are easier because they don’t shed. We have allergies though so lots of breeds are out for us. Our dog has a friend who is a black standard poodle and as soon as I find one that’s our next pet.
Yay! You’re awesome! 🙂
Your family posts are great, definitely wouldn’t mind seeing a weekly recap! Your children are so adorable and while four is quite daunting (to someone who has no kids) just seeing how you guys deal with them as a family makes me excited to have some someday soon.
Well, gosh! I’m a new reader. And, I loved poking around your house tour and your boys are just downright adorable! Your house must be a ton of fun with a bunch of boys! Thanks for giving us a peek. Happy weekend! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
I LOVE the family posts! The pictures of your boys are just sooo cute! I think it’s definitely worth either a weekly or bi-weekly update depending on the week and what you can keep up with!
Of course we want more family updates! That’s the best part!
Hi from Canada!
You guys are too stinking adorable. Like really, TOO STINKING ADORABLE. I do like the family posts. Reason?
First, because I like your blog and IG and (in a totally not stalkerish way, promise) I like hearing about your real life. Real life is so important. It keeps people connected. If I wanted perfect I would be posting a comment over at House and Home right now 😉
Second, because my kids are getting OLLLLLLD (cue the tears). My boys are 9 and 10 now and I would give anything to spend five more minutes with them at the TERRIBLES (and oh man they were) or the first food stage, or that oh so wonderful baby snuggle stage. I have younger girls, 5 and nearly 2 so I get to spend a bit more time “there” but the older we all get the more bummed I am that that stage is over. So keep on posting little boy crying/smiling/goofy face pics. I appreciate them!
Happy birthday! May this year be amazing for all of you! Oh, and good luck making it to a year nursing that little doll!
Kelly
I love your family posts…I just can’t get over the cuteness of your family. I don’t know how you take care of 4 small boys and do all those diy projects in between. I have two young kids and it’s just nutty in our house. Anyway, love your blog and keep up the good work.
P.S. I think you guys should get a dog…it would just add to the adorableness. (is that a word?) And they are good for cleaning up the floor!
If you do get a dog please adopt from a shelter!!! I work at a Humane Society and can’t tell you how many amazing family dogs we see. Also make sure to abide strictly by the list of dangerous foods for dogs, which includes grapes, chocolate, raisins, onions, avocado, and more (which are all foods kids like to eat!)
ERmahgerd, just read this post, somehow had missed it!
Anyway, we have two labs, a yellow and a black, and they are low-key, relaxed, laid-back, completely trustworthy awesome amazing dogs. So gentle with the kids. Some may be high energy but ours are not – and we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Get a lab!!!!!!! They definitely like food from the floor. And, not every lab is a Marley (from that movie that will make you cry!) as in, ours aren’t. They are good dogs haha. There are actually a few different types – we have American/field labs, so they are slender and graceful… kind of look like a golden retriever mixed with a lab. Swoon. Good luck finding the perfect pup!
I love the ironic picture! We’re very into #reasonsmykidiscrying pictures with our 1yo (there’s a page if you haven’t seen it, it’s awesome). Our oldest is a 5yo dog, boys 4 and 1. Her chore is cleaning up after them at meal times and herding them as needed. I’d consider getting an older, trained dog and agree that fit is important. Our girl was super high energy at first, she still has her moments, but she was puppy trained with kids in mind form about eight weeks. She’s always taken their rough actions and licks them until they scream as her retaliation, which drives the anti-dog grandmas crazy and teaches (I hope) about actions and consequences.