Holy Cats!

It's been AGES...I know..Spring disappeared, Summer arrived, Summer left and here we are.. smack dab in the middle of Fall. Phew! There was much camping, gardening, bike riding, visiting, eating, drinking, merriment, tears and laughter. It's just a jumble in my head right now but I thought I'd touch on a few things we accomplished over the past few months.. At the bottom of the family totem pole we have Kinny, the Shiba, she turned 12 this year. She's getting a bit white around the muzzle and turning into a cat the way she sleeps all day unless someone jingles her collar (on purpose or by accident). She's hooked on glucosamine and rediscovering 'chase-y' the way she used to. Oh, and she doesn't growl nearly half as much at the girls anymore BUT she has taken to peeing on our bed when she gets left out of family activities (like when we mow the lawn outside and leave her inside). Annoying, yes. Solvable, yes. We just have to remember...

Next on the list we have the newest member of the household - Tia, the silver tabby.

This little cheeky thing found Kyra & I out front of the house one Sunday morning, after a good run (Kyra rides her bike with me now). She just came a-runnin' from up the block and hasn't left yet! The vet figures she was left behind when someone moved since she's healthy, sociable and about 4 months old. Either way, we tried posting ads, searching the local vets and the local humane society but to no avail.. We've since become her pets I think...

Noelle has mastered "how to annoy your sister" 101. She can dress herself completely, sometimes even accurately! She can poop on the toilet, most days... And she's attempting to learn how to use a knife - "No, Noelle, we don't eat FROM the knife..". It'll take some practise... But I have to admit, the most amazing thing about her is her ability to observe and comment on things. She can compliment you out of the blue and will empathize with you at the drop of a hat! She came up the stairs the other day and said, "Mummy, I like your pony tail"... and then went about her business.. It's pretty damn cute when you witness it!

Kyra mastered the use of a bike, sans training wheels! Yay! And will ride at every chance she can...

Below she's pictured on a 7 degree day.. I think I was dressed in coat & mitts, she apparently still has an internal combustion engine on full speed!

She also took an airplane trip and dipped her toes in the Pacific ocean - we now own stellar collection of shells!

 All in all, a great summer for everyone! It's nice that we can take longer car trips now that the kids are older - who knows how far afield we can make it next year!?

Now that fall has arrived..the garden is getting tidied, bulbs are planted and the girls are rediscovering the sandbox! I'm taking advantage of the new distraction and doing a thorough cleanse of their clothing collections. Just Purge It... Feels good..

Oh, and we've offically entered the public school system. Opinion-pending at this time...

Until Winter, I guess we'll plug along. And at this time of year we'll be thankful for the great things we are able to do, able to eat and for the great people we can share it all with!