Purr-fectly Playful

Journaling taken from today's earlier post. And yes, Dave, that picture did look a lot like Fireball. But she's darker. And she doesn't swipe at your ankles every time you walk by. Imagine that!

Grandma is pretty happy to see an orange cat in this house again, too. For non-family members, if you remember, we have moved into my grandparents' old home. And they had a wonderful orange cat for years and years. When he died, another orange cat that looked just like him spent several days on the property. Laying in all the spots Morris loved to lay, staring up at the house, acting just like he had. Kitty friend or kitty ghost? You make the call.

She's ORANGE...with claws!!

I guess Emma knew best after all!


I walked into the pound yesterday to see what they had, and there was a gorgeous orange kitten looking at me!!! About 2 weeks older than the first Wendy and oh my gosh rambunctious!!! Many more pictures to follow, but let me tell you, she's a very typical kitty...always into something. She had ventured into the basement within the first 5 minutes of bringing her home. She helped me with the dishes by climbing into the dishwasher to lick them. She is a blur of speed when running away from the dog. She plays constantly! Lots of fun!

Interesting also, I found out that the sister to our first kitty also died, so the whole litter must have been exposed to something before the pound got them. So sad, but it somehow makes me feel better about ours, you always wonder if you could have done more.

Physical Therapy is GOOD

Personally, I prefer Retail Therapy. But the emergency vet bill currently residing on my Discover Card suggests that physical therapy is better for us right now. OUCH!! But if it has to be physical, it might as well be as fun as all this:There's nothing that a good wrestle session can't make better.

The day went well. Kids are amazingly resilient. More so than tired adults. I'm off to bed.

Nature is cruel

Emma's little kitty died last night. Emma didn't know until this morning. Jason and I woke her up, before George got up, to tell her together and cuddle. And I let her skip school today, letting her do whatever she wants. Jason and I were totally destroyed last night. Not so much about the cat, we hadn't really bonded with it yet, but for Emma. She worked so hard and was totally head over heels in love. We're not sure what happened, Wendy was fine Saturday, and then yesterday went downhill fast and the emergency vet couldn't save her.

I don't think I slept at all last night, I was so dreading this morning.

Emma handled it fairly well. She, of course, broke down for a bit and sobbed. Didn't believe us at first when we told her Wendy had died. After the initial break down, it's kind of gone in waves. She'll be totally fine, being a goof, and then I'll find her in her room crying. I'm really glad we decided to keep her home today so she can work through this.

I emailed her teacher and last year's teacher to let them know why she wasn't in today. They've both been very excited about the kitty, so I wanted to let them know that she'll be tender tomorrow. It just kills me that her first real experience with death is with the kitty she's been wanting for so long and working so hard to get. After only three days, too.

She's already asked for a new kitten, so I'm sure we'll head back to the pound sometime soon. She's so smart though. She said she wants to wait a couple of days until her heart doesn't hurt so much. :(

She's playing her Transformer video game right now, hurling bad guys through buildings. I don't blame her!

Wendy Wednesday

1st Day, Final Round

Well, he made it. As did I. George went into his new school very happily and immediately started playing with the play-doh. All was well until I said good-bye. He started scrambling to clean up the play-doh and join me. As I walked into the hall, I heard the screaming start. Lee, the wonderful director of his preschool, told me to keep my cell phone on, but "go away". LOL!

Later, I found out that he quieted down after about 5 minutes and did pretty well throughout the afternoon. Transitions between activities were hard, as they always are with him. But, they must be doing something right, because he almost fell asleep while eating his snack! He's home now, curled up on the couch, watching a video about tractors.....all is well in his world.

***********

Oh, and we get Wendy-kitty on Wednesday. No, she won't be orange, but yes, she most definitely has claws!!!!

Meme time

The wonderful Tink with all her tribulations has tagged me, so here you are:

1. Who was your first prom date? Jason took me to my Senior prom. On a boat in the San Francisco Bay, ahhhh romantic!

2. Who was your first roommate? Sarah, freshman year of college at U.C. Davis. She used to read this blog, Hi Sarah!

3. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? Um, I'm guessing from San Jose to Phoenix, when I was 5 or 6.

4. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? It wasn't actually my house, never did that. I stayed the night with a good friend at the end of Junior year of high school and we snuck out to a local park. To meet BOYS!!! Sorry Mom.

5. Whose wedding were you in the first time? I was a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding when I was 18.

6. What was the first concert you ever went to? Other than cheesy Beach Boys concerts at Great America, I think my first real concert was U2, in Oakland. Or no, Amy Grant at Shoreline?

7. First tattoo or piercing? No tatoos. Ears pierced when I was 12 or 13.

If you do this meme, leave me a link so I can visit!

My Quirky Kid

A very interesting article in Newsweek this week, check it out: You And Your Quirky Kid. Good debate about what is truly "normal", how difficult it is to diagnose exact placement on the Autism spectrum, and how wonderful these "quirky" kids really are.

We love both of our quirky kids. One on the spectrum and one not, but both unique, crazy, silly, frustrating, happy, and lovable.

1st Day, Round Two

George returned to his EEP Preschool today! He went off with a smile and a loud "BYE!!", hand in hand with his favorite teacher. This is so good. He's been so very bored these last couple of weeks, especially since Emma returned to school last week. Routine is good.

And our routine will get crazier next week. George starts at an afternoon preschool next Monday. It's a traditional preschool, we're hoping to broaden his social skills and better prepare him for kindergarten. Jason and I attended the parent orientation last night and came away with great feelings about the program, teachers, and facility. But I'm nervous. My kid is a special needs kid. Hearing about all the fun activities they'll do, the manners that will be enforced, the choices they'll be encouraged to make....it's all overwhelming to a family that's used to a more structured (possibly sheltered?) environment. Everyone that I've talked to there seems very flexible, they understand George's needs and will work to stretch his limitations without stressing him past his capabilities. But still. A mommy worries.

It will be good. He's bored at home, needs much more than three hours outside of our home. Needs "typical" kids around him. Needs more stimulation and to learn how to adapt to that stimulation around him. He'll be okay. Mommy will be okay.

And Mommy will be a taxi. Two kids, three schools, at least one after school activity. Every school on a different holiday/inservice schedule. Please don't blame me if I completely lose my mind this year. I'll check in whenever I feel slightly coherent. Happy Fall!

Between Daddy & Daughter

Him: Do you want to hang out with me tonight, paint the workbench, and listen to music?

Her: Sure!

Him: What music should we listen to?

Her: VAN HALEN!!!

(Mom's head hits the dinner table)

The 1st Day of 1st Grade!

Think someone is excited???

Meow

At the beginning of the summer, Jason and I were presented with this: (Please Mom, I really want a cat soon today, Mom.)

Notice the detail and thought put into this drawing. Apparently her goal is to have a neon orange cat with claws that can shred us all. (By the way, she wants the cat to be female, hard to find in orange, and it's name will be Wendy. Why? I have no idea.)

So, we felt those claws in our sentimental parental hearts and privately decided that yes, she would have her kitty. Shortly thereafter, unfortunately, Emma entered the stage of her life where she was slightly less delightful to be around (remember the Blueberry Meltdown, anyone?), and we told her she would have to earn the right to a cat. She and I formalized that idea by making a chore chart. The goal was 30 good days, with chores done and no nighttime tantrums.

If you'll notice the numbers at the bottom of the chart you'll see she has just eleven days to go. And with school starting, her behavior is evening out and I have a feeling those eleven will go real fast.

Jason and I have started spending a lot of time on this website: Petfinder.com

Shoot me now. That may be the only thing that saves me from bringing home a whole litter of fluffy, clawed creatures. Buy one, get one half off indeed.

A very busy day...

Three hours of moving water from one container to another. I guess we could have taken him to the pool?

Oh dear. Apparently, it's Duncan's turn to explore....and get into trouble.

A new haircut (notice the bangs?) for a new 1st grader. (The expression is amazingly NOT annoyance, she's just in a heat-induced coma.)

Look what jumped into our truck.

Look who likes it!

Fly

Right Now

Meme blatantly stolen from RedMolly's blog...

Three things in my fridge that define life right now: Fresh fruits and vegetables, because we're trying to take advantage of their seasonal abundance and eat better. Rotting fresh fruits and vegetables, because by dinnertime, chicken nuggets or cereal for dinner sounds just fine. Vanilla rum, because it's yummy with Pepsi and knocks the edge off the day. (Can you tell the kids are running me a bit ragged right now?)

Three recent acquisitions: This lovely trench coat (I can't wait for the weather to cool a bit so I can wear it!), a new clock for the kitchen, and Thomas the Tank Engine underwear for George (think good thoughts this weekend, as he goes cold turkey on the diapers).


Three classics I reach for every day: Coffee, the computer, and a book or other such reading device.

My kids right now, in three words or less: Bored with Summer.

My sweetie right now, in three words or less: Beer in hand.

What's on my to-do list: Figure out George's preschool situation for fall, pay a couple of bills, finish writing my next DSP class, put dishes in the dishwasher, start prepping dinner, create social story to prepare George for this weekend, walk away from this computer...

What I do often that relates to the season right now: Sit and enjoy the sun.


What I'm listening to right now: The soundtrack/effects of the Transformers video game and Emma talking to herself as she plays it.

What I'm worried about right now: My to-do list.

Which news stories I'm following right now: Hmmmmm....I really try not to pay attention to the news. I have enough to worry about.

What I'm reading right now: I just finished reading Body Surfing by Anita Shreve.

What I'm looking forward to right now: Going to Amy & Dale's house in Portland tomorrow for a visit!

A thought I keep returning to right now: I believe in fate, everything will work out as it should.


One small thing that's making me happy right now: Two small things actually, one hanging from each side of the apple tree. Don't know why we waited so long to do this:

Still here...

We've had scads of family around for the past few weeks; most recently, Jason's brother and family all the way from Denmark. Tons of fun had by all, kiddos going in all directions, good food, great music. Today, we're digging our way through loads of laundry and all the other assorted chores that tend to be forgotten when company is visiting. AND the county fair starts today! I can't wait!

So, I hope to have lots of photos to share soon, but for now, the washer is calling.....

Family Reunion

My Great Grandmother was one of six sisters, known as the Tate Sisters. They established a tradition of gathering with their families that is still going strong today, long after they have passed. Every summer, on the first weekend in August, the descendants of these sisters gather together for a picnic. Here's my immediate family's branch...

And the whole group from this year's gathering....

Totally cool to see that so many people are still interested in coming each year. I keep thinking that the tradition will end, as the relations spread further apart and all of us 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins once removed, and so forth, really don't know each other. But still, we all drive up to the picnic spot, fill out extensive name tags that delineate our heritage, and enjoy the day. Tradition is good.

Oh, and my favorite picture of the day.....
There were several babies and many teenagers, but no one right around Emma's age. Luckily, at family reunions teenagers don't find it so horrible to play with little kids and even grandmas find the time (and energy) to kick a ball around with speedy little girls.

Never thought this day would come

George had his first "real" haircut yesterday. And check out this cool photo that Emma got of the process!
I hope it looks as good on your screen as it does on mine, the colors are so fun and I just love the blur of the stylist's hands! And let me tell you, she was moving FAST!! George is eating an M & M in this picture, not gasping in fear, they were a great distraction. He really didn't seem to mind her at all (though the clippers were not a hit, and had to be put away), but he got bored with sitting in one place. But she was great, everytime he moved, she moved, and after about 10 minutes, he was done and looking far more handsome than my sad attempts at haircutting ever made him.

We're starting to look for a Big Boy Bed, too. Sigh. When did my babies stop being babies??? I must have missed that point!

Happy faces

I am trying to remember that Emma is on summer vacation. When George is in school, there are more entertaining things to do than following me around the grocery store or house. We've been to the park the last couple of days. I think she likes it.

We live on a pretty severe hill, and a fairly busy street, so she hasn't ridden her bike (outside of our basement) since last fall. I love the fact that she would rather ride her bike or use her roller skates than sit inside watching TV. I must remember this when we're getting on each other's nerves from being together 24 hours a day, every day, all summer! This park isn't too far from our house, and heck, we have a minivan! Load that bike in it and go!