Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Spring!

The calendar says spring and they are forecasting a few inches of snow tonight into tomorrow.  It can't be too far away though, because baby kitties!

We have a bazillion cats, but only a handful of tame ones.  Peanut had 4 babies a couple of weeks ago.  She lost one when her box tipped over, but still has 3 healthy babies.  Our housecat, Cingrilla, also had a litter a few days later.  She had a total of 6 babies, lost 1 right away, but still has 5 babies in a box in our basement.  I am not sure how I am going to get all of these cats out of my house.  If anyone wants a kitten...I'll even throw in free replacement if it doesn't make it :)  We have a few we can spare.  

Peanut's newborns

Shelby with a Cingrilla baby

Things have been running fairly smoothly.  Pat's parents took a 10 day trip to Hawaii which left Pat and I in charge.  My sister and dad came to help get the kids ready for school so I could milk in the mornings.  Upon his parent's return, we headed to Sioux Falls for a night without kids.  Pat's dad is having knee surgery again, today, so we wanted to get away before we won't be able to for a while.  We didn't have anything specific in mind, just a little shopping.  We came home with a new car.  That was not the plan, but I'm weak and wasn't about to say "no, don't buy me that nice shiny new car!"  We traded in our Expedition for a Yukon.  I didn't realize how much Pat hated the Expedition, but he really likes the Yukon.  I really like all the fancy buttons and gadgets!  

The boys took swimming lessons and finished up last week.  They were both in the same level this year.  Tate moved up last year and Cole didn't move on.  I wasn't sure how it would go.  Tate is just generally a bit more daring and athletic than Cole is.  Cole also tends to sink like a rock.  They both managed to pass, which was exciting.  

I am so ready for warmer weather so I can send my kids outside!  Tate and Shelby have been at each other more than usual lately.  They are like oil and water most days.  The other night Shelby went to Pat's sister's with his parents.  We didn't let the boys go since it was a Sunday night and would be late getting home.  All evening Tate moped around asking when she'd be home.  Monday morning, while he was getting ready for school, and she was still sleeping (which is the norm), he kept asking when she'd be up.  They can't stand to be around each other and they can't stand to be apart.  

Cole is not the most outgoing kid.  He doesn't need a lot of friends.  He tends to be more of a loaner.  He's not and never has been very empathetic.  He made a great friend last year in second grade and they are still getting along great this year, despite different teachers.  He was invited to a slumber party this week to the house of a new student in his class.  I asked him who else was invited and he listed his best buddy, another boy, and another boy who is special needs (I think he's on the autism spectrum, but am not positive what his diagnosis is).  He explained that they were thinking that Z~ probably didn't get invited to a lot of parties, so they thought they would invite him.  I was floored.  I couldn't ask for better friends for him than that.  I hope they keep that attitude through high school.

Tonight I am heading to Mayo to get my memory tested and brain scanned over the next couple of days.  My sister and I have been participating in a research study for the last couple of years.  I hate it.  I'd love to pull the plug and say "I"m out!", but I know that's not an option.  I love spending time with my sisters without kids, but I'd rather do it on a warm beach than while getting injected with radioactive dye.  Adulting is hard.