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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Christmas, Everyday Life ·

10 Random Things: DECEMBER EDITION


It’s a 10 RANDOM THINGS: DECEMBER EDITION!

It’s another batch of 10 RANDOM THINGS, and this one has a holiday flair 🙂 .

Ashby, Mades and I are headed home from New York City this morning.  It was fast, furious, festive, and I’m OH SO HAPPY we went!

Per usual, these 10 random things are random.

Enjoy! 😉

10 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT:

10 random dog things:

1: They have such distinct personalities.

I love how my dogs each have very different personalities.  Poppy is a natural leader.  Frenchie is naturally easy going.  Yankee is naturally nervous.  Charlie is naturally happy go lucky.  I see these qualities exemplified throughout the day when they eat, when the doorbell rings, when we go on walks.  They’re all four such unique, different little dogs, and I love them all for it.

2: I have really enjoyed having a male dog.

Charlie has been our first male dog (like ever…growing up Andrew and I never had a male dog), and we have loved it!  I don’t exactly know why we always brought home girl pups (probably because our parents always did), but there is something different about this boy.  I don’t know how to explain it, but he’s just bouncier and temperament is always even, and he never seems to get anxious or protective…he’s just happy go lucky.

3: Charlie is my walker.

All four dogs love their daily walk, but Charlie really, really loves it and now walks longer than the others with me at a different time.  I can tell when the girls are ready to head home, but I swear, Charlie could walk all day long.  I always think “he will be so tired when we get back” but nope.  He never is.  He’s always ready to head back out and walk some more.

4: Poppy is starting to show her age.

Our sweet Poppy will be 13 in April and even though she still keeps up with the other dogs, she is starting to show her age a bit.  She’s slower going in the morning and the first dog to be done with her walk.  I think having the younger dogs has kept her “younger” but her age is certainly more of a factor these days than it used to be.

5: The little leaves are driving me mad.

This time of year (through winter), the dogs come inside with approximately 4 billion little leaves stuck to them, and it drives me mad.  I feel like all I do is bend over and pick up little leaves.

6: My calves are sore.

I try and jump on the trampoline every time I take the dogs out and well, my calves are really sore these days.

7: No one notices the Christmas decor.

It amazes me that I can put 8 Christmas trees and a plethora of decorations up in our house and the dogs seem unfazed.

8: Frenchie is morphing into a cat.

Frenchie is 8.5 years old, the tiniest Shull pup and by far the easiest.  She’s basically a cat now.  She is the last dog to wake up (she can easily sleep until 10:30) and the first to go to sleep.  She lays around the house all day chasing sunshine through the window to nap under.  I swear, if I put a litter box out, she’d probably use it.  She is just so chill and extremely low maintenance.

9: Yankee adores her crate.

If you’re looking for Yankee, she’s probably in her crate.  She loves to climb in there and nap.  The older she gets, the more she likes to feel safe.  She’s getting a little anxiety in her older age (she’s 5), and her crate is always her safe spot.

10: Joy.

These dogs just bring me so much joy.  All day, every day, joy.

10 random things I love about New York City at Christmas:

1: The smells.

I always love the way NYC smells (like gasoline and pollution…and delight, ha!).  It just has a “big city smell” that I love…but this time of year, it also has a dash of roasting almonds, cinnamon, some sort of pine-y scent and well, and it’s just delightful.

2: The sounds.

It still sounds like NYC (horns honking, people talking, the sounds of foot traffic on the street), but now, you also get musicians playing carols on the street, the sounds of holiday music coming out of shops and restaurants…it’s a festive sound.

3: The views.

Well, the views are always, always amazing…but add some Christmas lights and well, they’re just SPECTACULAR!

4: The energy.

Typical NYC energy + Christmas energy= PERFECTION

5: The shows.

Broadway is always a buzz, but now there are holiday specific shows being advertised around town (hello, Rockettes!) which make it even more magical.

6: The restaurants.

Every restaurant or cafe or pagoda we pass has a tree and lights.  I just love when business owners take a minute to make something seasonal.  That little touch makes me so happy.

7: The shopping.

The window displays are so elaborate and decorative, stores have all of their glittery holiday items up front, even if I’m not buying anything, I love the visual.  I have never ever in my life seen a building more elaborately decorated than the Louis Vuitton store on 5th Avenue.  It is unbelievable.

8: The bustle.

Listen, it has been extra crowded in some areas with all of the holiday shoppers/vacationers/tourists, but it’s also extra fun too.  There is that energy in the air with the bustle.

9: The lights.

On everything from cabs to carriages, buildings to street lamps, it’s aglow right now.

10: It’s dark early.

I love that it’s dark early.  It makes the whole atmosphere feel cozier.

10 random things I’m currently loving:

1: This podcast episode.

I think in 2025, I might make this podcast episode an entire blog post.  I listened to it on Saturday and found it so interesting/agreed/was challenged/was encouraged.  If you’re a runner like me (or a now reformed one like me), you might want to listen too.  It was really interesting.

2: Matlock.

I started the new Kathy Bates series Matlock (after hearing her interviewed about it on The Office Ladies) and am loving it!  It’s just really good TV, well written, and as you can imagine, the acting is fabulous.  It’s made for TV, so it’s not too violent/there isn’t over the top sex scenes/the language is fine (you know, “normal” TV).  So far, I really like it!

3: My Vuori pieces.

I love this!  They’re sold out of the green top and pants, but it comes in other colors too.  I bought all three in XS.

COAT + TOP + PANTS

4: Toasted Marshmallow Protein

You know I love Clean Simple Easts Protein!  Right now, they have a new seasonal Toasted Marshmallow flavor that I really, really love!!

5: I can’t quit this jacket.

I wore my SHERPA JACKET to the airport on Sunday.  I just love it so much and have been wearing it all season long!

6: Going to The Yard.

As you know, we love going to The Yard in McKinney all year long, but right now, it’s just extra extra extra fun!  Speaking of things we do “all year long”…

7: Sitting on the patio.

Andrew and I love to sit down and chat on the patio at night before dinner and this time of year, when we do it under the heaters with our jackets or blankets, is my very favorite.

8: Watching Christmas movies with my peeps.

I was making dinner while we watched White Christmas and well, it was just my idea of perfection.

9: Madeley’s new schedule.

Madeley’s new school schedule means she doesn’t go on Fridays and well, we’re not hating it 🙂 .  This is us on Friday morning.  We are both soaking in all of this extra time we didn’t expect to get this year and didn’t know how much we needed.  It has been SUCH a blessing to have extra extra time with my littlest.

10: Being in the kitchen.

I’m in there making a pie with two dogs at my feet.  It is just the sweetest time of year.

10 random thoughts in December:

1: I wish I was finished wrapping all of my gifts.

2: I cannot wait for the kids’ Christmas break to begin!

3: I do not want the kids’ Christmas break to begin as I still have so much to do!

4: This year, I thought the Hallmark movies were just okay.  I didn’t watch as many that I “loved” as I normally do.

5: Should I ask Santa for an iPad?  I don’t have an iPad.  Do I need an iPad?

6: What would I do on my iPad?

7: I wish I were done addressing all of my Christmas cards.

8: I’m not ready to say goodbye to the Christmas music.

9: Where should I move the elf tonight?

10: I should make…

…some PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE BROWNIES.

And those are some random things 🙂 .

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!  I’ll see you here tomorrow! xx

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Comments

  1. Kristen Thompson says

    I Love this post!! It is so festive and joyful!

    One pro of an iPad over a kindle is if you are reading a book on your iPad and forget to bring it or are waiting somewhere and want to read for a minute, you can pick up right where you left off on your iPad on your phone as long as they both have the iBooks app. I love having that feature!

    • Katie Compton says

      You can do this with the Kindle app on your phone as well! It’s a favorite of mine… lets me read a few pages standing in line, waiting for appointments, etc without having my Kindle with me.

  3. Diane Moore says

    It’s great to have this fun list, filled with many topics, but what I needed, an extra dose of holiday cheer. I’m feeling the crunch this morning and need a very productive, yet cheerful day. Who do you call? Shay!!! 🩷🎄💚

  4. Sue says

    There is an interesting article in the latest ELLE magazine about the new Louis Vuitton store. The building is going to look like that outside permanently, aside from the front, it is not decorated. We loved the pine smell near Rockefeller Center, turns out it was the Nest Company pumping out their Christmas Candle smell, Holiday. Fun facts! Merry Christmas, Shay!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      ME TOO!!!!!!!! It always helps me when Thanksgiving is one week earlier. I feel like I get that extra week then.

  6. Beth Knecht says

    Oh my gosh I forgot about your peppermint brownies, but they are delicious and everyone needs to make them…like tonight! Adding that to our baking list for this week!!

  8. Bev says

    We have iPads and use them for everything! In fact I never used to use my phone for reading, etc. and wondered how others did being it’s so much smaller but now I use both. Love having the iBooks for reading and it’s just nicer for photos, shopping, etc.

  9. Katie Compton says

    Why are random thoughts so fun?!? I need this fun little blog post to push through this last week of school before break!

    For the Elf… do you have a camel in your nativity, possibly??? That was always a favorite spot for our Elf on Wednesdays… HUMP DAAAAY! Haha!

      • SS says

        I had never heard of that until we went to TX about 30 yrs ago and my cousin there didn’t have school on Fridays!!!

  11. Jennibell says

    What a fun post this Tuesday morning! Doggies bring so much to a family, don’t they? Your peppermint brownies look like a great idea for our Ohio Christmas menu this weekend 🙂 And yes, you should ask for an iPad! I think I am on my third iPad in my life. I’m reading this blog and responding to it straight from my iPad. (I’m actually voice texting this comment). I read all of my books on it, can check out library books on it, play mindless games when I need to relax, edit pictures, do all of my messaging from it, use the notes app, music, shop (last week I was reading Erika’s post and she mentioned an outfit, I clicked on the link, purchased the outfit, then went back to her post and finished reading it!) I rarely leave home without it.

  12. Allison says

    The iPad thoughts…. lol’ing… no you don’t need an iPad. They’re either for young kids or grandmas playing bingo games HAHAHA!

      • Terry says

        I totally disagree! I couldn’t live without my iPad. I use it for everything! It takes the place of my computer, bigger than an iPhone…love, love, love mine!

    • Rebecca Lingerfelt-Brown says

      OR- you don’t have to travel with your laptop! Some grandmas do other things besides play games on theirs!😉

    • Mary Anne Duke says

      As a grandma I object….I have yet to play bingo on my iPad 😉 I use it to read this
      post, get my email, Pinterest, FB, my news. It really is my small computer.

  13. Alli says

    Love the post and I have already downloaded the podcast. I can’t wait to listen, thank you for the recommendation! Merry Christmas!

  14. Kristen says

    Wow, Fridays off of school, is that all year? What a blessing!
    Have your girls seen Wicked yet? We are all Wicked obsessed over here.

  16. Laci says

    I dislike when Thanksgiving falls so late in the season! I need all the weeks leading up to Christmas to be as long as possible.

  17. Lindsay says

    Have your card addresses printed when you order them. It’s a must! Then have the kids help stuff and stamp and you’re done (after a bit of complaining)!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Okay, I uploaded and did that, but I was lazy this year and didn’t add some new people…so I have most of them printed but a handful (maybe 20) that I need to hand address (and then I need to NOT BE LAZY and add their info to my Minted for 2025…).

  18. Marisa Patel says

    I wish December lasted at least 3 months!!!! You know what, we have 4 dogs and 2 Guinea pigs and they all bring me joy in different ways too.

  20. Lori says

    I miss moving our elf! We have three teens now. You should put your elf on the deer head or on your new acrylic deer figurines. Merry Christmas!

  21. Kay says

    Well. I am a life long dog owner-lover and my family is headed to NYC this weekend so I couldn’t love this post more! My oldest started NYU/Tisch this year!, so our trip to NYC will be EXTRA special as he has fallen in love with the city and can show us around his version of NYC. (We go frequently but have never had a NY resident in our Boston home before!)

    First. Maybe unkind of me to say…but I have owned sooo many dogs and we’ve almost always had male dogs. And they have always been MUCH more mellow/laid back/easy going. I do have a senior male now (11 yo!) and a 4 yo girl, and yes, our boy is calmer. That being said, I love all dogs!

    Second. My dad is like an Apple expert. When I first asked if I “needed” an iPad, his response was, “No one really needs an iPad.” LOL. That always stays with me and he is right! It’s kind of just like an extra “toy” and if you have a phone and laptop truly, do you need a medium version of either of those? Not really? But that being said, if you want one, go for it! I have never had one and agree with other comments that it’s better for kids.

    Thanks for such a fun post-loved every moment!

  22. Stacey says

    You just make my day!! So enjoy your active life and all that goes with raising kids, traveling, cooking and having adventures. This was my favorite post of yours so far (and I love all of them). Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.

  23. Natasha says

    Well, I live in Canada and our postal service has been on strike since mid-November so that made not doing cards really easy this year. It’s both blessing and a frustration. But it has alleviated the card guilt! Hahaha!

  24. Kelly says

    Shay, Did you see the Nest fragrance trees that were piping the Nest Holiday scent along 5th Avenue? I will forever associate that scent with Christmas! We stocked up on candles and diffusers! I love reading about your dogs and their unique personalities. Merry Christmas!

  25. Andrea says

    I absolutely love my iPad. I use it all the time at home instead of my phone. If you don’t get one now, you will definitely want to make the switch once you need reading glasses. It’s so much easier to see. Plus we fly every few weeks, and I use it to watch movies on the plane.

  27. Kim S. says

    I agree about the Hallmark movies. However last Friday’s – Hanukkah on the Rocks and Saturday’s – The Santa Class were really good!

  28. Nicole says

    Omg! I love this podcast!! What’s your current running routine, perspective? Thanks!

    What’s your shake recipe? Just water?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Nicole, I thought of you THE MINUTE I finished. You of all people need to listen. Whether it changes anything you do or not, I think you’ll find it fascinating. I am going to do an entire post on this in 2025, but it’s evolving (which is shocking to me). I add half a frozen banana, 1 scoop of protein powder, ice and water.

      • Nicole says

        Awe! What’s crazy is I’ve taken such a backseat to running in the past 6 months and this podcast was so refreshing! Exactly what I needed to hear as I’ve been really trying to shift my mindset with a more balanced approach to running! The podcast was excellent! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait for your post!!

  29. Maddie Giamello says

    The iPad questions made me LOL! My husband loves his ipads and has 2 of them. I don’t get it, I can either do everything I need to do on my phone or if it’s more important, I want my laptop for it. This won’t be applicable for you but posting in case there are any other young moms reading. We do have a “house iPad” and I love that. Most of the baby monitors are wifi now so you don’t have a physical camera to hold and instead pull it up on your phone. So we have a house iPad with the baby monitor app on there so when we have a babysitter, they can use the iPad for the monitor. It also has uber eats on there so the babysitter can order dinner with it linked to our account. I don’t keep any of our personal things on there (emails, texts, etc.) but it’s great to be able to hand to a babysitter or grandparent when you’re not home so they don’t have to set it all up on their phone! Your NYC trip looked amazing!! My favorite time of year to visit! Such special memories for the girls!

  30. Susan McKain says

    Congrats on getting your baby back for an extra day each week – how awesome. I remember when my daughter had half-day Kindergarten, we would stay in our Pjs all morning. It was a favorite year of mine. Additionally, I’ve been feeling for years like the way to go is four day work weeks and three days weekends. My theory is to have one weekend day to gather and organize, one day to socialize, and then one day to actually relax.

  31. Anne says

    We took our daughter to NYC for Christmas the year she was in Kindergarten at dinner we were talking about the amazing Christmas decorations everywhere. And my daughter nonchalantly adds “well except for the Jewish deli”. Touché. The adults at the table had a good laugh.

    I agree that the Hallmark movies this year are just OK.

    Merry Christmas

  32. Jill says

    This was really fun.
    Maybe look into a weighted vest for Yankee, it could help.
    Also, maybe your Elf would want to visit your grandfather’s clock and your grandfather’s hat?

  33. Rebecca Lingerfelt-Brown says

    Yes on all of this! Get the iPad- and we love Matlock too! Makes me so happy to see Jason Ritter again! And we are watching Elsbeth too- try that one, I think you will love it!😉💜

  34. Elizabeth S. says

    Yes, please do a post on the podcast. I am so GLAD you turned us on to the Everyday Wellness Podcast. Have loved so many but have not had a chance to listed to that one. I also am loving the Zoe podcast!

    I had an iPad and got to where all I did was play games. My SIL uses it to make recipes she saves on Pinterest.

    Have you tried other protein powders? I have an was wondering how Clean Simple Eats measures up. Looking to purchase a protein powder for the new year.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I have tried a big variety over the years and this one is by far my favorite. It blends smooth (no clumps) and doesn’t leave a funky after taste (which so many do).

  35. Kandi Barber says

    I loved your post about the dogs. We had three at one time and I just love their little personalities and I agree they do bring so much joy to the day.

  36. Arika says

    I love all your posts about routines – before school routines, summer routines, etc. Do you you have a Christmas day routine? That would be a fun post. And other holidays too maybe!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      That’s a great idea! Our routine is pretty boring on Christmas Day (wake up, open gifts, stuff ourselves, watch movies, eat more, watch more movies, eat more, watch another movie and never get out of pjs), but our other holidays have more going on! Thank you for the idea!

  37. Joanne says

    I love my iPad. I used to have a mini but my inlaws gifted me the full version last year. I use it when cooking to have recipes on full view (and don’t have to keep picking up my phone) or to have a show on while making dinner. I also love it on planes so I can download all of the shows/movies I haven’t watched and have the time to binge!!

  38. SS says

    Shay,
    We have watched most of the Xmas movies on Hallmark. They have been ok, a few stuck out. Like someone mentioned the Santa class was cute. I missed the one I wanted to see the one with Lacey about the Northern Lights. I have been chasing them up here this year. ( My family would say I am Aurora obsessed. LOL)
    We watched JIngle Bell Love on Roku with Joey McIntyre. It was cute. We also watched Our Little Secret on Netflix…it was funny. Had a few twists at the end, but cute.
    Just FYI… here in MI… the public schools have been closed every Thursday this month due to snowstorms. They have one left before Xmas break…don’t think we are going to get a snowstorm this week. And sadly, all the snow is gone right now. They are saying maybe a little this week and should stay because our temps will be in the mid 20s until Xmas!! We have our fingers crossed!!!

  39. Jen says

    I love my iPad for plane trips. You know the darn internet rarely works, even when it says it does on flights. So, I like to download shows/movies that I’ve been wanting to see from Netflix, and I watch them on there.

  40. Jaimie says

    I love the random things about dogs. They really do bring so much love and light into our worlds. I currently have one female lab that just turned 3. She’s finally at an age where she’s really chill. I’ve always said that I love that she’s just the right amount of needy. She’s pretty independent and could care less if you pet her, but she loves sleeping next to me. Never on top of me, but has to be touching me. Maybe the occasional head or leg on top, but nothing more. I would love to get another dog and thought about getting a male, but all of my friends’ male dogs are super needy. Ugh the dilemma! 😝

    I agree on this year’s crop of Hallmark Christmas movies. There were some really forgettable ones, but a few were great! I enjoyed both Hanukkah movies – Leah’s Perfect Gift and the recent Hanukkah on the Rocks. A Dance in the Snow and A Reason for the Season were wonderful as well. The one that I probably least expected to enjoy, but ended up being my absolute favorite so far and I thoroughly got emotional at the end of was A 90’s Christmas. I won’t spoil it, but the montage scene at the end will bring you to literal tears. Definitely check those movies out!

  41. Angie says

    Such a fun post! Lol’ing about the iPad, ha! I never had one, but I realized I could download my recipe keeper app (Paprika… LOVE this app to hold all my recipes) on one of my kids’ old iPads and keep it in the kitchen. I got a cover that folds back so the iPad stands up. Basically this iPad is now my virtual cookbook and I don’t know what I’d do without it! The app stays on the whole time the recipe is up, the screen doesn’t go dark while you’re cooking. I also have it hooked to our Bose stereo so it runs my music when I’m cooking instead of running it off my phone. It’s like command central for the kitchen 🙂

  42. Erika Slaughter says

    EEEEKKK!!!! I’m SO EXCITED! Christmas is almost here! And look at you now! Remember when you thought I was crazy for getting a boy dog?? {I didn’t know WHAT I was doing. I just thought he was really cute. ha!}

  44. Marilyn Giuliano says

    What a great post! I love your thoughts on NYC. I work in NYC every day and have for many years, so it is great to see it through your eyes! Now I must go visit the LV store.

    Since I commute to NYC from NJ (an hour+ commute on mass transit), my iPad is invaluable to me. I am an avid reader and have at least 3 book apps and my Audible app on my iPad. I could not carry books with me every day, so I am always reading on my iPad. I also listen to Podcasts and catch up on YouTube videos. It is what I reach for when lying in bed at night too. Anything you can do on your phone, you can do on your iPad. But the screen is bigger and so much easier to see! I say go for it!

  45. Gail Young says

    I LOVE my iPad! I’m a grandma and dont play Bingo or any games on it, but I do use it for absolutely everything and have for the last 10 years. I do all my emails and texting, take photos, do all my research for geneology, etc. As you start to age you may find your eyesight changing a bit and I just find the iPad so much more user friendly when I am at home. I also watch all the movies on here while I sit and watercolor or do crafting or even making dinner at night. I pop my air pods in and even if I’m moving around the kitchen and not able to see the screen every minute, I can still follow along. I am ready for my 3rd iPad and love how it coordinates with all of my other devices.

  46. Jeanette says

    Love the random pots! I was actually surprised you don’t already have an IPad! I use mine everyday and I’m not a Grandma or a child, 😂😂. They aren’t even advertised towards either generation, LOL. That is so cool that you get to have Friday’s w/ your youngest.

  48. Molly B says

    Love this post! I have a Bernedoodle
    puppy (first time ever owning a dog) and we just loooove him. He’s four months. Potty training was a breeze, but leash training and teaching him not to jump on every new person has been an adventure 🙂 have you ever done a post about dog training? Would you?!

  50. Connie says

    I couldn’t live without my iPads. I have a mini iPad and a regular sized iPad. I started using them about ten years ago. I downloaded my kindle and I-Books on my iPads, so I have all my books with me wherever I go. You can also check your emails regularly, read the news, play games, watch any sports events that ESPN has, check the weather, send text messages, and even respond to Shay on your iPads. I travel with my mini iPad because it fits right into my purse and I can carry it with me anywhere. Get one immediately! You won’t regret it!

  51. Faith says

    I love the random posts! I feel like it’s the perfect explanation of a woman’s brain.

    I only have 2 pups but they do bring so much joy. My older one is 16!

    I finally made it to Trader Joe’s yesterday and was so happy they still had jingle jangle in stock!

    I agree! I’m not ready for Christmas in general to end and feel like it’s coming too fast! I’m also not ready to think about taking down my favorite decorations.

  52. Kelly Menou says

    Enjoyed this post and the podcast episode, excited for THAT post:)

    I love my iPad and I feel like you would too! Im 32 and do social media work for businesses. (One day yours😉) Much more portable/less scary if something happens to it than my Mac.

    As a creator you’d love having it on hand for Canva, (not sure what scheduling app you use), but works so well for Click Up and Asana and creating/completing tasks.

    I love that I can write on it with a pen and take notes that all stay in one place and aren’t as rigid as typing in my notes. I have a journal/planner that is all handwritten.

    Also like they said above, great for propping up and using as a recipe book!

    The only game I have on it is sudoku 😉

  53. ~B~ says

    Love this post, Shay! Bucket list for me & my daughters is to visit NYC and ESPECIALLY this time of year! What you shared is exactly what we hope to experience someday and I loved every bit of it!

    We have a new brother and sister pup duo and have definitely found that the brother is more mellow than his sassy, busy sister. We have always had girl pups and this is our first boy too. He’s definitely going to be so much bigger than his little sis, but size no matter, she is the leader and he follows behind her, definitely the calmer of the two. So, I loved reading about your experience with the girls and your one boy.

    So much merry in this post, Shay, made my day! Thanks as always for sharing and happy holidays!
    P.S. Wrapping. Ugh. Bane of my existence. 🙂

  55. Kristi says

    Okay so I have to ask… was the male puppy harder to potty train?? We have always had female dogs as well, because I had heard boy dogs tended to be more difficult in that regard. Tell me if I’m wrong!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Honestly, I haven’t noticed a difference at all with potty training him. I think he was just about the same as the girls.

  56. Pam Zercher says

    Oh my gosh! I’m late to the party but “Do you need an iPad?!? I would be LOST without mine! I do *everything* on mine. Email, IG, yes, play games while we’re watching TV at night. I don’t go ANYWHERE without it. Love, love, LOVE my iPad. In fact, I have two. One I read on on flights. The bigger one I play/work on. I don’t have a computer. Haven’t for years! I can print from it. Love mine!

  57. Sarah Yaffe says

    Hey Shay! I’m curious how long you walk your dogs? Do you try to go at the same time every day? (That’s probably a silly question, because as routine oriented as you are I’m sure you do and you have it down to a science!) I have 4 dogs as well and end up doing like probably 7 10 minute walks a day. Sometimes 1 30 min walk and then a few other shorter ones. What works best for you?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It depends on the weather, their mood, my mood, what the schedule looks like. I typically walk all four one mile and then Charlie a bit more (or sometimes Yankee and Frenchie too). A mile is about as long as Poppy likes to go these days.

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