Michelle and Mannie (GA)
Member Since 2009
Happy Halloween LL kitties, even if I am a day late, I was with you all in spirit. Halloween night, such a great party night for out furkids. and the Circle of Remembrance. I so remember its creation. Ella, it was an excellent idea. I so hope this tradition will carry forward in future years. I can remember how poignant it was the year that Mannie's name was on that list of the Rainbow bridge Kitties. I felt his presence yesterday, as did Nicholas. Miss ya tons Big Guy!
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 fav! 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 day yesterday, and a great week. Happy Halloween, one day late. ;-) 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!!
What a BUSY week! We have been swimming, and hiking, to the park and on the river, and the science center, and the aquarium. We have had lunches at rivers edge, car camping some too, and indoors on benches. Funny how the boys love those impromptu eat wherever lunches. Life is good!
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swimming days this week. :shock: That's alot of pool time! William went Monday and Thursday, Nicholas Wednesday and Friday nght. Nicholas did not swim on Monday, as he was down with a nasty chest cold, and all decided it was better if he take a day off so he could get better. They both are truly water babies. William has taken to it all so well. He never cries when there, always asks for more of whatever he is playing on. He doesn't seem to mind when the water spray features are on. He loves the slides, and wants to climb up the stairs on his own. So we do, slide down together. :shock: :lol: I am continuing to introduce him to being underwater, for short periods at a time. He doesn't seem to mind them, I've even had a few smiles. He's adjusted to back floating, and "swimming" on his front. I have no doubt that he will like this as much as Nicholas does. Nicholas continues to be very supportive of William's efforts in the pool. He still asks how he did when he can't swim with him, tells me what I should be training him on, asks if he did certain things. It is cool when he says" "He's doing great Grammie!" Yes, that he is. Nicholas continues to be our energizer fishie. That I think will never change. he just has so much fun with it all. He continues to LOVE the new pool we started going to a few months ago, in Snohomish. it really is a wonderful experience, and he can do alot of the things he likes there: like the slides, the lazy river, and deep water jumping and diving. That has become our new Friday pool. It is a ways away so it does add to our commuting time, but we all agree that it is very much worth the effort and time spent. We are still trying to "convince" Nicholas that swim lessons would be great... I continue teach him what I can. He continues to make lots of new friends when he goes. it's fun to see him connect up with kids when he gets there. We all just love pool days, and are grateful that we have the pools and the time to be able to do this. GO NICK! GO WILLIAM!
Nicholas still looks forward to our after swim Friday Night Burger Feast
That is just so fun: burgers and fries, just him and me, with lots of fun stories. He was so happy to see that burger and fries combo show up, just like always. Somehow I think that is part of the magic of Friday night swims: that he gets burgers etc after his swim. :razz: Yesterday we again talked about our week, trips to city science center and the aquarium. The drive home continues to be an enjoyable time for him. he's into volcanoes these days so we talk alot about them. GREAT TIME!
Monday I spent the afternoon in Seattle, visiting my friend. It's nice to be able to get back into "town" once a week and catch up with people I used to work with, before I hung up the working mantle. Coffee time with Barb though is great!
I enjoy my weekly trip to Seattle to see my friend from my working days with Nordstrom. I do enjoy though being able to connect with her once a week, and head into the city for a bit.
I had some extra time on Monday since Nicholas did not swim, nor William, so I went in early and sent sometime at the Freeway Park. It is a well done city park, that covers a portion of the freeway that runs through Seattle. It was a great time. The park was full of fall color complete with some sun to enjoy.
Tuesday should have been my hiking day.
. I had so wanted to be in the North Cascades (don't I always??)..... but alas, Tuesday ended up being "install the new deck slider door" day, so I needed to be home. The weather really didn't support any hiking anyways.... and up in the mountains? reports of lots of freezing white stuff. :shock: :shock: :shock: Already? but.... but... but.... I'm not done yet with my mountain hiking!!! :lol: :roll: so............. we ewer home and watch a group of guys battle heavy rains, and winds, and install my new door. 5 hours later they were done, dripping wet, but still smiling. The door looks great, works 100% better than the old one. YAY!!!
There was enough time in the afternoon for me to take a walk locally here at home, the usual at Meadowdale. The sun eventually did show for a few hours, so off I went. It was too bad though that some of that better weather couldn't have been here while they were working.... :roll: Hike was great!
Wednesday Afternoon, after Nicholas's swim we were off to a river park in Bothell. We had such fun there a week or so ago that we decided to go back. They too have a nice playground area , and well as a good river trail walk, with a few access points where the boys can get down to waters edge. It is always fun to be able to do that there, as the ducks come and visit every time. We got lucky with the weather that day too, as it had been drizzly a good part of the morning. By time time we made the park, the sun was beginning to show
, and stayed with us the whole time we were there. Nicholas was able to wade out into the river some too. He just loves to be able to get into the river! He didn't stay in long, waded with boots on, as it really was a bit cold to be swimming in. Nicholas wanted to walk some of the trail too. The fall colors there are starting to show. Really nice! William was content with all the sticks and rocks and fallen leaves he found. Way too funny, but cool too. Just like last week, we brought some food for the ducks. Nicholas had such fun feeding them. He had quite the audience. William was busy chanting: " ducks, ducks, ducks, ducks! " This time he stood by by Nicholas while he fed them, watched what to do, had a piece of bread of his own to fed them. He was cute, had a few of the ducks accept his offerings out of his hand. He was able to toss fairly well too. It was a nice afternoon at the park. Nicholas could have used another 2 hours there, he was so not done when it was time to leave. ;-) William too!
Thursday Afternoon, after William's swim, and Nicholas's school we were off to the Science Center. Once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds! and fog! so........ Nicholas's solution was the Pacific Science Center. SWEET! and an excellent choice. This seems to be rapidly becoming a fave place for Nicholas, we've been every week for a month now. Science center was alot of fun, both boys got into just about everything, Even William wants to participate. That was fun to see. I think we spent 6 hours there, did it all. it never really did stop with the rains yesterday, rains all day. We had a very small break when we were at the science center, enough that we could get a half hour or so out with their waterworks through science stuff outdoors. Nicholas just loves that stuff. William too. It was water and all he wanted was to be in it. :lol: Nicholas likes the place, is getting much better at understanding some of the science behind what he interacts with. William just likes pushing all the buttons turning all those knobs. ;-) It's a great place, lots to do, lots for them to learn. It is unfortunate that some of the exhibit areas need work in that the stuff simply does not work anymore. other than that, still good. Neither boy wanted to leave....It is nice though to see them accept and know that these afternoon trips are short ones, and that they have to be selective in what they see. Both boys did well with that aspect.
Friday was our free day, and once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds! Nicholas asked to go the the Seattle Aquarium. YAY! It had been a while since we had been there. They sure did have a great time. William is so much more mobile than he was the last time we were there, so it was nice to be able to set him down and let him roam. The joy of discovery on his face was just so awesome! The section that was the biggest hit was the tide pools, where they have so many anemones, starfish, etc. They allow hands (well, your "science finger") in there, so William got to experience his first anemone. Loved that, as did he: all smiles. It is interesting that Nicholas also enjoys the interactive screens that they have it here. We visit them all, with me reading what they say, him doing what needs to be done to get it all to work. Great leaning tool! William is a HUGE fan of the tropical fish tanks. :razz: :shock:
He just LOVES them, and can't get enough of any of the tanks. I wish that Picassa did the videos, as there is one that shows that excitement, as these fish swim by his face, with him following them with his fingers, all the while saying "FISHIE!!!!!" What a great day!!!
Normalcy in MusketeerVille!
The kitties are all doing well. Not too much new with them... Fall mode is here, they are bunkering down, but still yearning for the great outdoors when the sun is out. Elsa still ventures out, and when out she doesn't stay long. Bug could care less, Lola is ALWAYS grounded, and always wants OUT. :lol: My new patio door has been installed: step one on the catio development has been completed. I still haven't done much more than that. When I did price out what I really would like to build for the kitties, and I had a severe case of sticker shock. :shock: :shock: So back to the drawing board on that one. :lol: :shock: I may just try and figure out a way to enclose a portion of the deck for them, dunno on that... Lola, I have not forgotten your catio.... but you may have to wait a bit longer. ;-) I like Ann's idea in last weeks condo of making some tunnel runs for her, along the fence line. I think that would work, and she could get her need to run in. So, I will start looking at that option. Lola was a hoot on Tuesday when they installed that door. The weather was AWFUL, they were sawing and hammering, an the elements were blowing in the house some, despite all efforts with sheeting etc to kept it out. Lola was beside herself, you could see that look: "WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO MY HOUSE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" She was running from window to window, to the door install spot, hollering up a storm, I finally put her in a spare room so she could settle, and not be so concerned. That helped alot. By the time they were done, she was asleep. The door did get her sniff of approval. YIPPIE!!! Nicholas continues to talk about Mannie. Last week, and the week before, I remember writing how at one point he told me that he really wishes Mannie could come home. ;-) He did this week too, and just like last week my thoughts were "Nicholas, so do I". A few times this past week he mentioned, out of the blue, that he misses Mannie. We told many a Mannie story that day, which coincidentally was Halloween, the day of the veil, the cay of the Circle of Remembrance. Thanks for coming to visit us Mannie! We all miss ya big guy! cat_pet_icon
Have a great Caturday everyone. Sorry this post it late today. Sorry too I missed everyone's condos yesterday too. Time this morning, and the days, have gotten away from me. At least the shopping is done, and the laundry.
I am off in a few for an afternoon walk in the woods. The rains continue, it will be a little WET, but I probably will go anyways. LOL: normal for Fall here... We had to buy a new TV, as our old one finally went "KA-PUT!", so that will be here this afternoon. I am looking forward to it, as it is one of the new "smart TV's"
KITTIES! Remember: think BLUE, think GREEN cat_pet_icon
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.
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 fav! 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 day yesterday, and a great week. Happy Halloween, one day late. ;-) 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!!
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swimming days this week. :shock: That's alot of pool time! William went Monday and Thursday, Nicholas Wednesday and Friday nght. Nicholas did not swim on Monday, as he was down with a nasty chest cold, and all decided it was better if he take a day off so he could get better. They both are truly water babies. William has taken to it all so well. He never cries when there, always asks for more of whatever he is playing on. He doesn't seem to mind when the water spray features are on. He loves the slides, and wants to climb up the stairs on his own. So we do, slide down together. :shock: :lol: I am continuing to introduce him to being underwater, for short periods at a time. He doesn't seem to mind them, I've even had a few smiles. He's adjusted to back floating, and "swimming" on his front. I have no doubt that he will like this as much as Nicholas does. Nicholas continues to be very supportive of William's efforts in the pool. He still asks how he did when he can't swim with him, tells me what I should be training him on, asks if he did certain things. It is cool when he says" "He's doing great Grammie!" Yes, that he is. Nicholas continues to be our energizer fishie. That I think will never change. he just has so much fun with it all. He continues to LOVE the new pool we started going to a few months ago, in Snohomish. it really is a wonderful experience, and he can do alot of the things he likes there: like the slides, the lazy river, and deep water jumping and diving. That has become our new Friday pool. It is a ways away so it does add to our commuting time, but we all agree that it is very much worth the effort and time spent. We are still trying to "convince" Nicholas that swim lessons would be great... I continue teach him what I can. He continues to make lots of new friends when he goes. it's fun to see him connect up with kids when he gets there. We all just love pool days, and are grateful that we have the pools and the time to be able to do this. GO NICK! GO WILLIAM!

Nicholas still looks forward to our after swim Friday Night Burger Feast
That is just so fun: burgers and fries, just him and me, with lots of fun stories. He was so happy to see that burger and fries combo show up, just like always. Somehow I think that is part of the magic of Friday night swims: that he gets burgers etc after his swim. :razz: Yesterday we again talked about our week, trips to city science center and the aquarium. The drive home continues to be an enjoyable time for him. he's into volcanoes these days so we talk alot about them. GREAT TIME!Monday I spent the afternoon in Seattle, visiting my friend. It's nice to be able to get back into "town" once a week and catch up with people I used to work with, before I hung up the working mantle. Coffee time with Barb though is great!
Tuesday should have been my hiking day.
. I had so wanted to be in the North Cascades (don't I always??)..... but alas, Tuesday ended up being "install the new deck slider door" day, so I needed to be home. The weather really didn't support any hiking anyways.... and up in the mountains? reports of lots of freezing white stuff. :shock: :shock: :shock: Already? but.... but... but.... I'm not done yet with my mountain hiking!!! :lol: :roll: so............. we ewer home and watch a group of guys battle heavy rains, and winds, and install my new door. 5 hours later they were done, dripping wet, but still smiling. The door looks great, works 100% better than the old one. YAY!!! Wednesday Afternoon, after Nicholas's swim we were off to a river park in Bothell. We had such fun there a week or so ago that we decided to go back. They too have a nice playground area , and well as a good river trail walk, with a few access points where the boys can get down to waters edge. It is always fun to be able to do that there, as the ducks come and visit every time. We got lucky with the weather that day too, as it had been drizzly a good part of the morning. By time time we made the park, the sun was beginning to show
Thursday Afternoon, after William's swim, and Nicholas's school we were off to the Science Center. Once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds! and fog! so........ Nicholas's solution was the Pacific Science Center. SWEET! and an excellent choice. This seems to be rapidly becoming a fave place for Nicholas, we've been every week for a month now. Science center was alot of fun, both boys got into just about everything, Even William wants to participate. That was fun to see. I think we spent 6 hours there, did it all. it never really did stop with the rains yesterday, rains all day. We had a very small break when we were at the science center, enough that we could get a half hour or so out with their waterworks through science stuff outdoors. Nicholas just loves that stuff. William too. It was water and all he wanted was to be in it. :lol: Nicholas likes the place, is getting much better at understanding some of the science behind what he interacts with. William just likes pushing all the buttons turning all those knobs. ;-) It's a great place, lots to do, lots for them to learn. It is unfortunate that some of the exhibit areas need work in that the stuff simply does not work anymore. other than that, still good. Neither boy wanted to leave....It is nice though to see them accept and know that these afternoon trips are short ones, and that they have to be selective in what they see. Both boys did well with that aspect.
Friday was our free day, and once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds! Nicholas asked to go the the Seattle Aquarium. YAY! It had been a while since we had been there. They sure did have a great time. William is so much more mobile than he was the last time we were there, so it was nice to be able to set him down and let him roam. The joy of discovery on his face was just so awesome! The section that was the biggest hit was the tide pools, where they have so many anemones, starfish, etc. They allow hands (well, your "science finger") in there, so William got to experience his first anemone. Loved that, as did he: all smiles. It is interesting that Nicholas also enjoys the interactive screens that they have it here. We visit them all, with me reading what they say, him doing what needs to be done to get it all to work. Great leaning tool! William is a HUGE fan of the tropical fish tanks. :razz: :shock:
Normalcy in MusketeerVille!
Have a great Caturday everyone. Sorry this post it late today. Sorry too I missed everyone's condos yesterday too. Time this morning, and the days, have gotten away from me. At least the shopping is done, and the laundry.
KITTIES! Remember: think BLUE, think GREEN cat_pet_icon