Weekend Tidbits

Lauren walked into the house Saturday afternoon, "Um Mom, are you aware there is a pizza box with a skeleton in the driveway?" Ty found a skeleton of a small animal in our landscape. It has clearly been there awhile. The kids were fascinated. Ty wanted to keep it in his dresser. We compromised. They are on a mission to identify it.

Last weekend we once again searched for a new sofa and chair. Our current red set is beyond repair. We've been disappointed in the quality of that set since we bought it eight years ago. So like all intelligent people everywhere, we ordered a new set the day after we brought home kittens. Ahem. However, as we asked the salesman a few questions, Ty curled up on the floor model and fell asleep. It was adorable and clearly a selling feature.

Saturday afternoon we attended a football game our sixth grade neighbor played and while we were there my phone rang. Justin was calling to inform me I raised two very wimpy girls and he was embarrassed for me. As it turns out, they were threatening to burn the house down if he didn't get there immediately to exterminate a giant spider in Lauren's room. I am not kidding. Later reflections reported screaming, peeing of pants and a room being destroyed in order to locate said spider once it disappeared from sight.  I have no words but often wonder where I went wrong. Erin later lamented that none of our neighbors came to investigate the screaming. I have to assume they weren't heard over closed windows and air conditioning; however, discovering the neighbors are used to our level of chaos would not surprise me either.

Greg and I woke this morning to Kate sleeping on the floor on his side of the bed and Ty asleep on mine. Within minutes, Ty needed my attention four times regarding his Ironman costume because there was a missing mask crisis. The kittens were released and promptly climbed onto our bed. The dog was barking and whining. It was our usual Sunday morning wake up call.

Today held backyard archery, time alone with a good book, touch up painting and a tea party. It was gorgeous and perfect. 

Progression

Operation "let's be a family" is going well. Brutus has been identified as the overly excited step dad while the kittens are the uninterested kids. He is eager to play and be protective. They are not impressed with him unless he is lying down and doesn't move while they climb over his paws.

Justin often visits "his" homework helpers, even when Erin isn't home

Our introductions have been intentional and brief with total control because we are aware of Brutus's size despite his gentle spirit. Obviously the hissing miniatures could be hurt should he decide to play with them. But they've made their way into all our hearts.

This would be the pillow I move because I don't want the kittens to destroy it.

Last night I pulled Oliver out of the fireplace, off Ty's sleeping head before cleaning the litter box, freshening the water and wondered for a brief moment where the teen who swore she needed these cats was. Alas, we fell for it once again. "I will take care of them Mom, I promise."

Lost our Minds

So I mentioned a while back I had laughed at my sister when her cat delivered kittens under my nephew's bed. We now love two of the litter.....Oliver and Spidey. They are the newest members of the family even though they are less than impressed with Brutus. We discovered six week old kittens are capable of spitting, hissing and fighting when terrified of a dog or a balloon or a sudden movement from a child. Spidey is the tough guy while Oliver prefers to hide and allow Spidey to take on whatever has frightened them. Oliver is our hope when it comes to introducing them again sans the baby-gate divider. Brutus, the ever gentle spirit simply needs to kiss the babies but the babies are fairly certain they will be swallowed whole. It's been interesting.

Sweet Oliver

Spidey

Oliver is one pound five ounces at six weeks

I think Oliver will be a gorgeous cat

Both are playful but Spidey will choose playtime over cuddle time

Spidey has quite the personality

Spidey at one pound seven ounces

Celebrating Brennen

We spent the weekend celebrating Brennen's tenth birthday with food, family and fun. We not only enjoyed our immediate family but also Theresa's in-laws who always guarantee a blast. Ten kids spent the night at my sister's after a glo stick pool party! Greg and I went down the road to my parent's house and slept in peace and quiet while our children partied until 2 am! Ty says Aunt Theresa is awesome and we have to agree.

Today I asked the birthday boy if I could take his photo.....

this was his smile

he says he is king of the world

I suggested he be serious

maybe try relaxing

At this point I asked him if he had to go to the bathroom

he said he'd look more like this if he did

He is a nut.

Happy birthday Brennen Riley! We love you and all your silly faces.

These kids

Ty's decided he is allergic to storms. This weekend he was heard stating, "you know I am allergic to thunder so I can't get my jammies on". Or, "don't forget I am allergic to storms for 100 days". He's also gotten creative in his avoidance of Sunday school. On the way this weekend, he announced he felt a cold sore coming on. He then added that his throat hurt and he might be getting sick. Within the next breath, he mentioned it may not be a good idea for him to go to his class since he might get his friends sick. Ahem. Guess who was gently pushed into his classroom anyway. His mom needed to breath deeply in worship for an hour in order to best cope with any further antics.

Our freshman is not coping well with high school. Heck, the senior isn't either. High school is hard and emotions run strong. We had a face off with one that typically goes with the flow this weekend and finally reached an agreement of sorts when I requested her phone until further notice. It's funny how magical that little contraption has become. She is avoiding all responsibilities and hiding from the world. Given how social she is typically, it's tough to see her struggle. We not so gently pushed her into a class commitment this weekend too.

My sister sent a panicked text six weeks ago. "Marlo just delivered kittens under Mason's bed". I am not going to lie; I cracked up. The next thing I knew, I had agreed to take two of them for Makenna who loves kittens. They will have to be mostly outside cats since we have two who are allergic. Interestingly enough, Makenna is one of them! I don't know how I find myself in these situations but Spidey and Oliver will be coming home with us next weekend.


And now random photos of a baby I watched today. Ty was smitten and wanted to keep him. As it turns out, his Momma kind of likes him too so we had to give him back. It was a fun baby fix and we may get to see more of him in the future. Is there anything more peaceful than snuggling with a newborn?

Thank you God

Today Ty and I planted our fall lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots and onions. Thank you God for watering the garden and my children. Both appreciated your generous downpour . God's sprinkler is free.

Thank you God for Greg's Friday night off and the promise of a lazy weekend ahead.

Thank you God for awesome friends.

Thank you God for sibling bonds. 

Oh Ty

Ty was reminiscing the good old days while being tucked into bed the other night. He recalled that at age one he wasn't able to race so being one was not fun. At two, he could race but not very fast. At three, ahh that perfect age of three, he was fast and life was just so much more fun than being five. Being five is hard.

I walked into the bedroom and I found Ty watching the weather channel. I asked him what he was doing and he replied, “just sitting in here alone watching the weather like Dad because I haven’t done that in a long time”.

He'd like his daddy to stop by the dress up store on his way home from work to buy a Luiji costume because he can't always be Mario. 

He took a quick trip to Target with Lauren and returned home to get all his money so he could go back for a Spiderman mask. He doesn't have enough and is eagerly working a deal with his parents to earn $10 because he has to be Spiderman some days too.

He's still struggling with Kate's school schedule. He misses her and watches the clock for her return each day. At bedtime last night he informed me very firmly that Kate would not be going back to that dumb school because it is taking too long.

Grandma's Birthday

If you ask a five year old what his grandma would want for her birthday, you may find yourself buying a pinata.

If you buy the pinata, you will also buy chocolate to go into it.

If you buy a pinata and chocolate, you will also need candles. And a birthday cake. And balloons.

Happy birthday Grandma! We love you. 

And finally, if you ask Ty to get dressed, you will need to be specific if you don't want to take Mario to the grocery. 

The Crew

Maverick 1, Anna 2, Devyn 3, Gleason 4 and Ty 5

Chalk on feet is worrisome.

Sharing Hullaballoo game spots.

Trampoline fun.

Rolling playdough

Devyn figured out the playdough mold. She is clearly pleased with herself. Smile.

Anna's sweet chubby fingers

Such focus...playdough exploration is serious work.

Once or twice a week the entire gang spends the day with me. They are a blast, each with their own personality and quirkiness. I love my job.

According to Brutus

Hi folks, I feel the need to interject a few opinions about my family since Mom typically is the only one talking about everyone.  First, I love all of them. I even like the dude who shows up several times a week to eat dinner which significantly reduces the table scraps that should be mine. He makes it up to me with french fries from McDonald's now and then so I tolerate the intrusion. After all, Erin really likes him and seeing her happy makes me happy.

Second, this house is crazy. People are always coming and going. The front door is open so much, it's ridiculous. So, I no longer feel it is my responsibility to greet everyone. Frankly I am too tired to get up every time someone comes to the door. As I said, someone is ALWAYS coming to that door. And the vehicle situation? It's out of control. I never know who I am going to greet when one of them returns to the driveway so I don't often bother to find out. I should have learned this years ago as the people now come to find me when they get home.

Third, I have resigned my post as body guard unless we are all outside. I still protect my yard and people from neighbor dogs but I have gotten to old to care about much else. Except food. I still like food as long as it's people food. My dog food has lost it's appeal so Mom buys me yogurt to mix with it. I still often pass on breakfast and dinner since Justin or Lauren could show up with fries. I really like fries. Erin says I probably have high cholesterol. I don't know what that means but it can't be bad because the fries are so good. I probably should have given up dog food years ago too.  It seems as though the parents have relaxed a lot about the table food rule now that I don't eat much.

Fourth, the little people in the house love on me all the time. I like them but I have to admit they make napping difficult because they are so loud! I need a day at the puppy spa for a long quiet nap, but I spend most of my days hiding in Mom's closet under the air conditioning vent for quality sleep. The only interruptions I have in there are when Mom sneaks away from everyone else for chocolate. She hides too. I suspect she would also appreciate a good nap.

Finally, I still love cuddle time, treats, sunbathing and attention but this getting old business is tiring. My people tell me I have a big birthday coming up next month. I will be ten years old. I hope I get fries and maybe some steak. 

All photo credits go to Makenna who pestered me well beyond nap time today. She thinks I am cute. I like her and nap time too. And fries. Did I mention the fries?