ODDITY

Towards the end of November, we were sitting around the table, the kids and I.

It was dark and there were no lights on outside.

Mike had just been called out for a fire and we were sitting down for dinner.

I had had music going and the general noisiness of the day quieted as we sat down.

Then, we heard it.

A scratching sound.

What IT was we weren't sure at first.

The kids said there was someone outside the window.

It being completely dark and the window right next to the table..

that would have just really creeped us out.

I went to the door and turned on the light to find a cat, 

clawing at the window and starting to meow loudly.

(Whew!  Glad it wasn't a person!)

Not a big deal, right?

We've had cats wander through the yard before and what not..

Well!

This cat DID.NOT.STOP.

Meow, meow, meoooooow.

Claw, claw, claw.

Craziness!

It wanted to get in in the worst way.

Sorry, but there was NO way I was letting a strange cat into my house.

We figured it would go away the next day.

*

*

*

*

Three weeks later, we still have a cat sticking around.

(It does wander, by the way.  It does not just stick to the house)

It has stopped clawing on the window and door and stopped meowing..

but if one of us open the door--it is right there most of the time!

I don't mind it hanging around.  

We feed it scraps.  It sleeps under the porch sometimes and Mike put out a box for it.

Know what the strangest thing is?

It rather looks like Nola.

Nola disappeared a few years ago.

It is NOT her, it is too large for one, but just another odd thing.

Anyone ever have a similar experience?

Has an animal ever adopted you??!!

Very strange, I tell you.

Very strange.

PARTY PICTURES

November 16th was the joint birthday party.

We held it at church because we are under construction.

It worked out perfectly.

Plenty of space, minimal mess prior to and after, easy clean-up...

Anyway, here are some pictures from the party.

1 year old

6 year old.

3 year old.

Games.

Presents.

Thanks to all for sharing in the special day!

NUMBER 3 for NOVEMBER

Our third November birthday celebration!

Travis turned 3!

His birthday fell on a Saturday.

He was able to open presents first thing in the morning.

He was just a little bit excited.

Later on, after the requested dinner of pancakes, bacon and strawberries--we had cake.

Travis wanted a "Buzz cake."

Well, it was a cake and Buzz was on it.

That works, right?

Here are a few pictures of Travis from the joint birthday party the previous week.

Mister Serious.

Stained mouth and fingers..

Happy 3rd Birthday, Boogie!

SICK DAYS

It happens to all of us. 

We are cruising along, full-speed ahead when we encounter speed bumps.

They come in many forms.

Currently we are experiencing some nasty colds that are slowing down 

our normal day to day activities.  

Four out of seven are down for the count, myself included.

Sometimes, I wish we could just live in a sterile bubble in the winter..but that's neither here nor there.

So, what do days look like when we're under the weather?

A lot of times they look pretty normal.

However, we do have those days (like yesterday) where being a high-functioning, meal making, house cleaning, homeschooling, errand running etc. mom just doesn't cut it.

We sleep later.

We start later.

We go slower.

We nap when the little one naps

 (by we, I mean I--something that hardly ever happens)

We might cut out a subject or two from the day's school work.

We watch educational or sometimes not-so-educational, but fun dvds.

We engage in more imaginative play, while Mommy is resting.

We might have a snack instead of lunch.

We think of those dealing with chronic illnesses and 

about how much we take for granted on a daily basis.

Daddy might clean up for the night instead of Mommy (Thanks Daddy!!)

If there are a few dishes left on the counter in the morning..no one is worse off for it.

And we get through it.

I am really bummed about missing out on caroling with our friends today.

We've been looking forward to it for two months now..but I can't in good conscience bring our germs into a nursing/rehab center.  Hopefully next year we can join in.

How do you cope with sickness?

UNO

Where did that year go?

Jared was next to celebrate a birthday, a few days after Carina.

We had a joint birthday party for the 3 November babies this year for various reasons.

It was on Jared's actual birthday.

Enjoying some early morning whipped cream, as I was putting the finishing touches on desserts to bring the party later on.

Dressed and ready for breakfast!

(I see Rian in this picture)

Opening presents from Mommy and Daddy.

With help.

He was not at all interested in opening anything.

What do you get for a 1 year old with two older brothers??

Let me tell you, it wasn't easy.

New jammies, because the hand-me-downs were getting pretty worn, 

socks for the same reason..

And a back pillow..because he is (was) the only one without one.

(No, I did not wrap it.)

(No.  He didn't care.)

He looks pretty pleased, no? 

Later on, the party locale with Daddy.

Baby boy is still a baby.

Albeit, a big one.

20 lbs and 31+ inches.  

I think I put the exact stats in my other post.

He is NOT walking!

He will cruise along the furniture and let go for a few seconds.

It is a big joke to him.

I can't say all my boys walked at 10 months anymore!

He is a climber though...on top of the coffee table, on top of his siblings, onto the dining room chairs..etc.  We are constantly on the lookout.

He is also still nursing a couple of times a day, mostly first thing in the morning, and then before sleeping.

(Another first, I have never nursed up to--and now, beyond--a year)

He eats mostly regular food, with an occasional fruit pack or so of "baby food."

It took a year, but he is now finally napping regularly (YES!!)

Prior to a year old, he would NOT nap in his crib.

We would push him around in a stroller or the high chair--trust me, I tried everything in between.

Just goes to show you, every child is different.

He has a streak of mischief in him, just like another Boogie we know.

It will be fun to see how the two of them interact as J grows older.

Well, I'll wrap it up.

Happy 1st Birthday, Jared!

FULL

In November, every time we turn around there is another birthday!

Carina celebrated her 6th birthday in the beginning of the month.

On that day, we headed down to Adventure Aquarium with some friends.

It was a nice day and the kids enjoyed themselves.

None of my pictures turned out, so I can't take photo credits for these.

After a 3 hour ride home (we even left early to try to avoid rush hour traffic--I'm thankful that 4/5 slept nearly the entire ride home), we celebrated with a meal of her request.  She wanted chicken, carrots and broccoli with dip, french fries, strawberries, and cheesecake.  (I think I got everything!) 

Then she opened presents! 

A book light.

She has been asking for one since Michael got one for his birthday.

Yes, below you see a package of napkins.

This has become the joke.

Carina is a very neat eater and does not like anything out of place..last year I joked that since she asked for napkins so much I was going to buy her napkins for her birthday.

Well, we did get her napkins last year.

And she LOVED them--as she did this year.

Funny girl!

I'm sure this will continue.

Happy 6th Birthday, Miss Bean!

We love you and hope you had a great birthday!