4 weeks

The puppies are four weeks old today!  We were out of town this weekend watching our son play basketball in Minneapolis.  While we were gone, my nephew, who is a freshman at Dordt college, moved in and played puppy sitter.  He did an awesome job.  It was unbelievable how much they changed and grew even in the three days we were gone.  We also started the puppies on their first food.  We mixed up some puppy wean food tonight (puppy version of formula) and they loved it!  They lapped it up faster than we could put it in the pan.  It is hard to think about the fact that the weaning process has already started.  We had lots of fun with them outside today.  The forecast looks perfect for them to get outside this week and explore some more.

They all look a little sleepy in the pictures.  They played outside for almost two hours and then when we were picking them up to put them inside, I decided to take some individual pictures.  They were pretty tuckered out!  

Top: (LtoR) Stella, Herky, Lady

Middle: (LtoR) Scarlett, Aubie, Will

Bottom: Bohdan, Charlie, Goldie

The neighborhood kids come daily and ask to see/pet the puppies.  Today we had SO many kids in our backyard.  Our only rules are that if you are under the age of 5, you have to sit when you hold the puppies, and no running by the puppies.  With 9 puppies underfoot, it is so easy to step on a tail or paw.  We say you have to do the "puppy shuffle" so you don't step on any paws or tails:) One thing I can assure you of, your puppy will have gotten lots of holds, hugs, pets, and love in his/her first six weeks of life!