Michelle and Mannie (GA)
Member Since 2009
Good Morning LL!! 
(Ahhhhhh.... elixir! Thanks Elsa), and Happy Catmint Caturday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Paw Prints Pizza is open and ready for business! They are running a Caturday Catnip special today, in honor of Catmint Caturday - lots of nip in those pies!
They have even used their signature nip cheese.
Best order early! OOOOOOOOO! They have perfected their NY Style hot dog pies. MAJOR YUM!!!! Try one, you'll see! Just order the Mannie and Stu Special! so. well. anyways. Coffee time! 



For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a venti quad peppermint white chocolate mocha, with peppermint infused whip, garnished with peppermint candy chips and white chocolate shavings... It is my bean's fave, and a Caturday tradition! SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of peppermint and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, sprinkled with peppermint chips and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!
I hope everyone had a great week.
The days with the boys have been good ones! We have been very busy, that part of life has not changed. Will it ever?
NOPE!! 

I am so glad it hasn't! I often think back on the weeks happenings, and wonder how in the world did we do all that!
It was the same this past week. We just seem to pick up and go each day, no questions asked, not by me or the boys, or the people I interact with on a daily basis. I am grateful for all those that help us on a dailt basis, including my local barista! Life is very good! 
Swimming continues to be an integral part of my life, and the boys. I am grateful for this time, as it has become such a bonding experience for all of us. This week was much the same as last week, as far as our time in the pool went. They both love the time spent there, and will pick that when given alternative choices. So we continue to go, alternating pools between the Lynnwood Aquatic Center, and the Snohomish Aquatic Center. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful Aquatic facilities here too. I know it wrote this last week, but it is so true, in that it is so nice to see the evolution of pools that cater to families, with beach play areas, and large water slides, as well as the competitive side of swimming. William has taken to the water exceptionally well, having no issue with being under water at all. He has such a love for water slides. It will be fun when he can do the big tube slide at the Snohomish Pool. Nicholas continues to amaze me at every turn. He loves to lap swim, underwater, and does his version of that when the opportunity is there. He likes to swim the lazy river unassisted too, and made a couple of laps on that on his own. His all time fave thing? The big Blue Slide at the Snohomish Pool. It is hard to believe sometimes that he just turned 4 last month. I often wonder if he will stay with the pool as he continues to grow, or even become a competitive swimmer. No matter which path he may choose, it any, for right now, he is so at home there. It is a joy to watch him in the pool. I even got him to sit and watch part of a swim class last week, so maybe soon he will think lessons with other kids would be fun. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swim days this week. It is nice to be back to our regular pattern and set days.
Nicholas and William: Swim Buddies!
The boys and I continue to be very busy. Our weather has dictated alot of what we do, and even with that we still have great times. We have come up with a great list of indoor places, and this week we used them when we needed too, when the weather was questionable. Friday found us at the Pacific Science Center. It was cold and foggy ad who knew it the sun would show. so indoors it was. They both have such an interest in Science, and the things that inhabit our planet. We visited the butterflies, played with water indoor and out, and music, science games. We did manage some outdoor time this week, when the weather was at its best. Wednesday afternoon found us at Juanita Beach Park, Thursday afternoon at Bothell Landing Park. It was sunny and temps in the mid 50's. We all knew we had to be outside, with weather this nice. William is now so much more mobile that he can slide with Nicholas, chase him in the park, and walk the trails with him, cruise the water break and wade in the water at the beaches. He continues to hold his own too! We had to feed the duckies too! What fun that is. William is so funny. He knows that the food is for the ducks, but has to eat some of it too: a bite for them, a bite for him.
My DMIL is back in the rotation for helping me with William while Nicholas swims. YAY!
We spent some time with Grammie Connie on Wednesday too. The boys have missed her, and are elated to have her helping again with their care on Wednesday mornings.
Nicholas and William, Bothell landing Park, Sammamish River
Mornings with the boys are such fun.





. seriously fun. I hope this never changes. Mellow and intense at the same time. How can that be so? But it is. The Friday Night Burger Feast with Nicholas has to be one of the highlights of the week. He looks forward to that every week, talks about it daily. Such a great one on one time with him. I hope to be able to do soemthig similar with William in the near future. Like last week, Nicholas had this past week wanted to take pictures. I have never refused him, instead give him my camera and let him go for it. He was into buildings this week. I love seeing things from a child's perspective. I think he did a great job. Just like last week tt was fun to listen to him in the back seat of my car, as we traveled, and he picked out buildings to take photos of. I kept hearing "Got it! Great Shot! I really like this one!" and my personal fave: "slow down Grammie! I need to take a picture!" so of course I did. I heard that several times this week.
Friday was his main photo shoot days. I find these road trips with the boys to be fun, whether or not Nicholas is taking pictures. The entertainment from that back seat is something else, never ever a dull moment! The Many Faces of Travel!!!
Thursday was Seahawks football day at Nicholas's preschool. That was fun for him, he got to go to school decked out in his fave Seahawks gear. School spent some time talking foot ball and the big game. 


William was more interested in the flowers on one of the walls at Nicholas's school. He loves that flower wall, and has to visit it every time we pick Nicholas up from School.
Nicholas, our #1 Seahawks fan
For my own personal time, I have been hiking the local trails here when I can. I hope in the near future to have a day to visit the mountains and get in at east one snow hike before winter's end. Paws crossed. LOL, wrote that last week, still ahven;t made it. I had hoped to go Tuesday, but had things at home I had to take care of... maybe this week! I've been to Meadowdale shore and woods on Tuesday. It is such a nice alternative to mountain hiking, and will do, along with some other local lowland hikes, until the higher elevation stuff opens in the spring.
Normalcy in MusketeerVille
The kitties are truly dong well. This from last week, but it continues to be true, on Elsa: Elsa continues to be Elsa. I worry about her more than I suppose I need too. I keep thinking she is 18, almost 19 in a few months. She seems to be doing well though. She still takes her outdoor rounds when the weather permits. Well heck, sometimes she goes too when it is raining.
She eats well, has no LB issues, last BW was excellent, and can still jump from here to there, comes and cuddles every night. Life is good for her. Bug is Bug, such a mellow laid back dude. He so reminds me of Mannie. I swear Mannie sent him to me, he is so much like him. He has so many of Mannie's unique habits. I swear too that Mannie sent Lola, just to shake things up a bit.
She has been good lately, ever sine the Christmas tree came down. We've had a few plant issues, but overall, she too is becoming a bit more laid back. Well on some days.... I never did get her catio done, just ran out of funds and time. maybe this spring. I'd also like to build some climbing floor to ceiling trees for her too with access to cubby holes and top of cabinet type stuff. I know she, and Bug would love those. Lola has been back to her pounding on glass surfaces too. She had stopped for a while, but has renewed that activity with a vengeance it is so funny to watch her stand on her back legs, and pound on these surfaces with her front paws. AWESOME
and bit noisy.
Normalcy in MusketeerVille!
sorry that is so repetitive, but old news, god old news maybe cans tand to be repeated....
Have a great Caturday everyone! Today has been catchup day here. Shopping and laundry done, some medicare issues to resolve for DH, and just being a little lazy. I hope to get out for a walk after I post this, for some fresh, though wet, air, and to exercise the legs some. It has been a day of dense fog since the start of the day. I wonder if it will even break today...
KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

I

(Ahhhhhh.... elixir! Thanks Elsa), and Happy Catmint Caturday!LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Paw Prints Pizza is open and ready for business! They are running a Caturday Catnip special today, in honor of Catmint Caturday - lots of nip in those pies!
They have even used their signature nip cheese. 



For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a venti quad peppermint white chocolate mocha, with peppermint infused whip, garnished with peppermint candy chips and white chocolate shavings... It is my bean's fave, and a Caturday tradition! SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of peppermint and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, sprinkled with peppermint chips and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!Elsa, Ceo Coffee Cat
I hope everyone had a great week.
It was the same this past week. We just seem to pick up and go each day, no questions asked, not by me or the boys, or the people I interact with on a daily basis. I am grateful for all those that help us on a dailt basis, including my local barista! Life is very good! Swimming continues to be an integral part of my life, and the boys. I am grateful for this time, as it has become such a bonding experience for all of us. This week was much the same as last week, as far as our time in the pool went. They both love the time spent there, and will pick that when given alternative choices. So we continue to go, alternating pools between the Lynnwood Aquatic Center, and the Snohomish Aquatic Center. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful Aquatic facilities here too. I know it wrote this last week, but it is so true, in that it is so nice to see the evolution of pools that cater to families, with beach play areas, and large water slides, as well as the competitive side of swimming. William has taken to the water exceptionally well, having no issue with being under water at all. He has such a love for water slides. It will be fun when he can do the big tube slide at the Snohomish Pool. Nicholas continues to amaze me at every turn. He loves to lap swim, underwater, and does his version of that when the opportunity is there. He likes to swim the lazy river unassisted too, and made a couple of laps on that on his own. His all time fave thing? The big Blue Slide at the Snohomish Pool. It is hard to believe sometimes that he just turned 4 last month. I often wonder if he will stay with the pool as he continues to grow, or even become a competitive swimmer. No matter which path he may choose, it any, for right now, he is so at home there. It is a joy to watch him in the pool. I even got him to sit and watch part of a swim class last week, so maybe soon he will think lessons with other kids would be fun. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swim days this week. It is nice to be back to our regular pattern and set days.
Nicholas and William: Swim Buddies!
The boys and I continue to be very busy. Our weather has dictated alot of what we do, and even with that we still have great times. We have come up with a great list of indoor places, and this week we used them when we needed too, when the weather was questionable. Friday found us at the Pacific Science Center. It was cold and foggy ad who knew it the sun would show. so indoors it was. They both have such an interest in Science, and the things that inhabit our planet. We visited the butterflies, played with water indoor and out, and music, science games. We did manage some outdoor time this week, when the weather was at its best. Wednesday afternoon found us at Juanita Beach Park, Thursday afternoon at Bothell Landing Park. It was sunny and temps in the mid 50's. We all knew we had to be outside, with weather this nice. William is now so much more mobile that he can slide with Nicholas, chase him in the park, and walk the trails with him, cruise the water break and wade in the water at the beaches. He continues to hold his own too! We had to feed the duckies too! What fun that is. William is so funny. He knows that the food is for the ducks, but has to eat some of it too: a bite for them, a bite for him.
My DMIL is back in the rotation for helping me with William while Nicholas swims. YAY! Nicholas and William, Bothell landing Park, Sammamish River
Mornings with the boys are such fun.



. seriously fun. I hope this never changes. Mellow and intense at the same time. How can that be so? But it is. The Friday Night Burger Feast with Nicholas has to be one of the highlights of the week. He looks forward to that every week, talks about it daily. Such a great one on one time with him. I hope to be able to do soemthig similar with William in the near future. Like last week, Nicholas had this past week wanted to take pictures. I have never refused him, instead give him my camera and let him go for it. He was into buildings this week. I love seeing things from a child's perspective. I think he did a great job. Just like last week tt was fun to listen to him in the back seat of my car, as we traveled, and he picked out buildings to take photos of. I kept hearing "Got it! Great Shot! I really like this one!" and my personal fave: "slow down Grammie! I need to take a picture!" so of course I did. I heard that several times this week. Nicholas, our #1 Seahawks fan
For my own personal time, I have been hiking the local trails here when I can. I hope in the near future to have a day to visit the mountains and get in at east one snow hike before winter's end. Paws crossed. LOL, wrote that last week, still ahven;t made it. I had hoped to go Tuesday, but had things at home I had to take care of... maybe this week! I've been to Meadowdale shore and woods on Tuesday. It is such a nice alternative to mountain hiking, and will do, along with some other local lowland hikes, until the higher elevation stuff opens in the spring.
Normalcy in MusketeerVille
The kitties are truly dong well. This from last week, but it continues to be true, on Elsa: Elsa continues to be Elsa. I worry about her more than I suppose I need too. I keep thinking she is 18, almost 19 in a few months. She seems to be doing well though. She still takes her outdoor rounds when the weather permits. Well heck, sometimes she goes too when it is raining.
and bit noisy.
sorry that is so repetitive, but old news, god old news maybe cans tand to be repeated.... and... for old times sake: Mannie 4.11.2011 I had tried for MONTHS to get a video of his fuds dance. That was such a hoot: he'd do these circles and figure eights and paw the table. the pattern was so fun: circle, circle, figure eight, circle, circle, another figure eight, paw paw paw paw, and repeat several times over until he was fed. Every-time I tried to get a video he'd start the circle and stop and soon as he knew I had camera.... darn cat! This video was about the best I ever got, only one circle.... 
Have a great Caturday everyone! Today has been catchup day here. Shopping and laundry done, some medicare issues to resolve for DH, and just being a little lazy. I hope to get out for a walk after I post this, for some fresh, though wet, air, and to exercise the legs some. It has been a day of dense fog since the start of the day. I wonder if it will even break today...
KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

I

