12/13-14 LOOSE LIPS: Busy, Lola, Mannie! Happy Sunday LL

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Michelle and Mannie (GA)

Member Since 2009
Good Morning LL!! ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) (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. :cool: 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. ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) 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.... AND (!!!) Since it is the holiday season, we have EGGNOG! Mannie's secret recipe! I found it on my pillow last week... I wonder how that got there.... Mannie I lUVS you! THX! 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!! :-D :-D :-D :cool: :cool: :cool: What a BUSY week! We have been swimming, duh! Been busy indoors mostly, as the weather has been rather wet, with lots of heavy rainfall. We have seen some sun, had some gorgeous sunsets, but that sun shows so late in the day that we just haven't been able to take advantage of that, and have outdoor days. We've been to the aquarium and the science center. We have had lunches just about everywhere, car camping some too, and indoors on benches. The Christmas tree is finally up, and still standing despite Lola's efforts to have it in the horizontal position again. :lol: And, LOL (!!) this grammie continues with the indoor high in the sky tube water slide with Nicholas on Friday night swims. It was been one incredible week, very busy, but ever so FUN. :shock: :lol: Life is good! :-D :-D :-D

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Night were our swimming days this week. :shock: That's alot of pool time! William went Monday and Thursday, Nicholas went Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nght. William continues to LOVE the pool. 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. He now goes down on his own, with a little help. That was a huge success for him, smiles galore when he knew he could do it without help. :-D :cool: 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. Monday when he swam with his brother, and the other grandparents he lasted the whole two hours, used gloat mats. The mats were so fun for him: floating on the water, playing with toys on the mats, just having a grand time. 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. He was very proud of his brother. AWESOME! 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. The big high in the sky tube water slide is now his favorite thing to do, and it is our main ocus when we go to this pool. OMG! :shock: :shock: :shock: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: . Now that is all he wants to do when he goes there. :o So.... since they have height restrictions, etc on that slide, He is not quite tall enough to go solo, someone has to go down with him. so.... there I am, doing this water slide. WOW, what an experience that was. I lost count on the number of times we went down that thing. :lol: :lol: :lol: I kept hearing "again. Again! AGAIN!!!!!!!!" :lol: :lol: :lol: There are a couple of videos in the photo album that kinda show what it was like to go down that slide. This pool 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... oh sure! Once again, last night he tells me that he is "never taking that swim test!" Hmmmmm.... silly kid! 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 I know I write this each week, but 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: He still makes a point of making sure I have packed it all, and asked when I met him in the morning. GREAT TIME! The ride home continues to be alot of fun, for both of us. We sing silly songs, make up ridiculous adventures. remember the for real good ones we have had. LOVE Friday nights. Last night Nicholas told me it was his favorite night of the week, that this day was the best day ever. Me too little man, me too!

and..... no hiking for me this week! Bummer! But the time with the boys was a great offset, and we did make it out alot, so I remain content. :razz: The weather has turned rainy at any rate, with lots of snow now in the mountains. At times the passes have been closed, so.... I guess the hiking season is more or less "over". Oh well, time to focus on lowland stuff. I can during post hike season do the local trails here several times voer, and make a decent distance hike out of it all. Meadowdale just never disappoints. Life continues to be good.

Monday was our joint swim day with the other Grandparents. It was a very good season this time, Both boys had an awesome time. I was able, after our swim session to take a short hike through Meadowdale, before heading into Seattle to meet with my friend for coffee. Coffee time! YIPPIE ~O) :-D :-D :-D :cool: Sure was nice to see her. What with the holiday and the boys here while the other grandparents were gone, it had been a while since we were able to get together. Fun times!

Tuesday I was able to connect with my DS Anthony for out usual every other Tuesday breakfast at The Pancake House in Edmonds. LOVE that place! It has such a warm comfortable atmosphere, and some very good pancake stacks and creations. He had this very berry compote tower: 4 pancakes layered and covered with all sorts of berries, strawberry glaze and whip cream. :shock: Really awesome! it is such a good time for us, being able to catch up over good food. The rest of the afternoon was spent dealing with LOLA AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE.... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: She has been one busy kitty. It went up on 12/6, downed on 12/7, and its replacement reassembled and up on 12/9. and..... the new on is STILL STANDING! She has explored it to the max, climbed it several times, and so far...no topples! Today will be the test: the ornaments go on, all of which I am sure will be more temptation for her. Should be quite the adventure. Nicholas and Williams Approved of the tree when they saw it on Wednesday. I guess Lola and I picked a good one. :-D :-D :-D :cool: AND (!!!) I even made another trek down to Meadowdale :cool:

Wednesday Afternoon, after Nicholas's swim we were off to the Science Center. Once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds! and little sun! so........ Nicholas's solution was the Pacific Science Center. SWEET! and an excellent choice. This continues to be a fave place for Nicholas, we've been every week for a couple of months 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 2 hours there, what time we had, did all we could in such a short time span. Nicholas has gotten very good at knowing the afternoon visits are short ones, and he has to choose what he wants to see. 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. out fosuc on this afternoon was the music section, butterflies and the indoor water works. Music was fun for them! 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. :cool: I love Science Center days.

Thursday Afternoon, after William's swim, and Nicholas's school we were off to the Aquarium. Once again the weather was not our friend, what rains! and winds.... as an iffy weather day, rains on and off most of the day, with temps barely in the 40's, and way too cold for the boys to be on the river. The rivers are also running very high too we elected to go to the Seattle Aquarium, ALWAYS a favorite of the boys. Nicholas asked to go the Seattle Aquarium, so off we we went., even though we had been here last week. Sometimes I think, well now, that we could go every week, like the Science Center, and never grow tired of it, and all that is offered there. They sure did have a great time. William is so much more mobile, 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 he makes sure he gets to visit them. Loved that, as did he: all smiles. It is interesting that Nicholas also enjoys the interactive screens that they have it here. We continue to 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: :cool: :cool: He just LOVES them, and can't get enough of any of the tanks. He gets so excited as these fish swim by his face, with him following them with his fingers, all the while saying "FISHIE!!!!!"We also spent alot of time in the "Under the Dome" section of the aquarium, which basically allows viewing from all sides and the top. It is a very cool area. Nicholas perched himself on a railing and watched the fish do their thing. William was busy "chasing" them back and forth. Nicholas's preschool also had a holiday party that night, for all classes in the pre-school. What fun for those kids: three hours of bedlam, and Christmas fun, compete with Santa's elves, gifts for the kids, good food, and very nice school holiday bash. :-D What a great day!!!

Thursday night also found me at my youngest son's band gig, at the studio, show venue that they workout off, Studio 7 in Seattle. The was lovingly booked a Seattle's "metal Fest" with about 58 bands on the venue. I was grateful that they, Fallen Angels, played late enough that I could still take care of the boys, still make Nicholas's school holiday party, and have enough time to make the show. It ended up being a very longggggggggggggg day for me, not home until after 10PM. :shock: :shock: Worth the effort though as Matt plays a mean lead guitar. I had a blast! Sorry the photos are so dark.... these places aren't exactly known for their adequate lighting! :lol: :lol:

Friday was our free day, with Nicholas swimming later in the evening. The weather was so questionable, boys were tired from their party the night before, grammie from the concert the night before, so.... it took us a while to figure out where out adventure should be that day. Nicholas, being my bestest ever activities director, was adamant that we spend a whole day at the Science Center. It is amazing that he likes it as much as he does, so off we went again, more science! Pacific Science Center ROCKS! SWEET! and an excellent choice. Our focus was the butterflies, the outdoor water works, and the traveling Ripley's Believe It or Not exhibit. They had sch fun with it all, Ripley's was great. They have oversized things, that they kids and explore climb on, and just enjoy. William held his own with it all too. What was good enough for his big brother was good enough for him. We ended up he day with a walk around the Science Center exploring some of the outdoor exhibits they have there. Another stellar day of Science. :-D :cool: :cool:

Normalcy in MusketeerVille! :cool: :cool: :cool: The kitties are all doing well. Not too much new with them... Fall move into winter 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: Lola has been trying to be good, and for the most part I'm not yelling LOLA (!!) after whatever it is she did. :lol: :lol: :lol: She still has a fondness for Mickey Mouse. Go figure! But if Nicholas has it on in the morning, she comes to watch. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I can hardly wait for Christmas and all we went through with her last year. I can still see that tree swaying.... :lol: :lol: :lol: The tree decorations go up today.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: nailbite_smile nailbite_smile nailbite_smile nailbite_smile what will happen...., STAY TUNED! She continues to nap on my lap, usually in the early morning hours when I am on the 'puter. cool! That has continued this week, sometime in the afternoon too. It is amazing how serene and calm and content she looks when she is sleeping.... Of course this was only after she has these marathon run through the house for close to 30 minutes. Elsa whacks her for even thinking she wants to join. Bug of course did, runs right along with her, stopping now and then to play with a toy instead. :lol: GO KITTIES!! Every morning of every day we get these runs. Love it! I am grateful that Elsa, my very senior gal, can continue to run like that. YAY! Just like last week, and the weeks before, Nicholas continues to talk about Mannie. A few times this past week he mentioned, out of the blue, that he misses Mannie. We told many a Mannie story that day, and many others.It still amazes me how much he really remembers. I can say do you remember the time when... and he will complete the memory. That started last week too, continued into this week. As crazy as it may sound, as William is just starting to really communicate, I could have sworn I heard him say Mannie. It was as clear as a bell, happened several times that morning. 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. :-D The boys will be her for a while this morning, so mom and and can go to a movie, have a lunch without the boys, some adult time. fancy that! and why would they want that???? :roll: :lol: It should be a great time for them fun times, I hope, her today for the boys.

KITTIES! Remember: think BLUE, think GREEN cat_pet_icon
 
Re: 12/13 LOOSE LIPS: What a week! Happy Caturday LL!!

It's good to hear the new tree is still standing. I'm sure it's been tested a lot of times by Lola. I bet she helped you with the ornaments. It sounds like the boys had fun again this week. How great that you got to have breakfast with Anthony and go to your other son's band gig this week.
 
Re: 12/13 LOOSE LIPS: What a week! Happy Caturday LL!!

Whew...."what a week" all right! LOL that Nicholas says he's never taking that swim test - he sounds like such a rebel :lol: !! HOw cool that Mannie visited William...what a cat!!

Lola and her tree...you have far more courage than I do, that's for sure! I'm looking forward to hearing how it endures through the rest of the season!

I hope you're having a great weekend, Michelle!
 
Re: 12/13 LOOSE LIPS: What a week! Happy Caturday LL!!

I can't wait to hear how Lola does with the tree this year!

She was so much fun last year!

I saw this and couldn't help but think of you and Lola

 
Good Morning LL! ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) (YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Sunday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! Coffee is on, Lola and Bug , founders of Paw Prints Pizza, are ready to go! Want pizza? it is MEGA GOOD! They are busy getting ready for.... uh.... I dunno! but there sure is a flurry of activity in the kitchen. It's Christmas time they say. I see alot of pizzas that look like Christmas trees... :cool: :shock: so. well. anyways. ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) ~O) Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and triple shot espresso, beans from the heart of central Ethiopia. For my mocha fans: Venti Quad orange and vanilla mocha, laced with orange swirls, topped with chocolate whip, garnished with orange zest, slivered vanilla beans and chocolate swirls....... and orange drizzle! SWEET OH! No worries, a dollop of orange and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good! Don't forgets! We got Eggnog too! Mannie's secret recipe!

Morning, and Happy Sunday everyone. I hope your weekend has been good, not too busy with all the work and prep etc that we all need to do for the holidays. I keep trying to keep it all low key, but I'm not too sure how successful I am with it all. ;-) I had Nicholas and William for the day yesterday so their mom and dad could go out, have some adult time. They went to the movies, lunch out, some shopping,and a tour of what holiday lights they could see. It was a nice day away from it all for them. The boys and I had a great time. My tree needed decorating, so I thought why not let them have at it, put on what they wanted. The was great! We had a "Decorate the tree" party. They really did do a great job. Nicholas was cute, telling me he and William would do the bottom half of the tree, and I could do the top, since they were too short to reach it. :lol: :lol: Even Lola helped, as after all, it is "LOLA'S TREE". She made sure to check it all about, from the floor,ad from the inside up to the top. That was so fun. both bys just laughed and laughed as she climbed, wiggled through the branches, made it up to the top and down again. What fun! The tree is still standing, so guess we are, hopefully, good to go for the season with the tree. I will try and get a video of her in it. it really is a hoot to watch, We also spent some time outside yesterday, just cuz we could. I have alot of downed tree debris from the wind storms this past week, Nicholas decided that he would help me clean up some, so he did. A Yard Cleanup party! He made piles of the big ones, put the small ones in the yard waste bin. William did his best to help too, but he really just wanted to play with it all. :lol: :lol: Later that day we went for a walk in the neighborhood so they could see what folks had one with the yard holiday decor. That too was a nice time out.

This is just for fun William had lunch her while at the house. He really enjoyed his food yesterday. :lol: :lol: Fun times with food!

This I have to share. Last week the microwave blew, and we had to get a new one. It finally arrived on Thursday. We ave a counter top model a big one. anyways. I removed the told one, hauled it downstairs. when came back to install the new one there lying on the floor was an old Syringe, and a pouch that held the testing supplies back up I had for Mannie. I am sure it probably was just lodged behind the microwave, as I never moved it, and kept alot of Mannie's stuff on top of it: syringes, strips , meter etc... anyways. I took it as a greeting from Mannie. What a rush or old memories. It has been months since I have held a syringe in my hand. Somehow doing that brought back all the times with Mannie, all those tests and shots. and monitoring, and hoping,. what a great moment finding those things on the floor. Merry Christmas Mannie, thank you for all the times we shared, all those fantastic memories. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

have a great Sunday, everyone. It will be a laid back get caught up day today for me, the past few days have been overly busy, and I really do need to get some at home things done. The weather should be good today, so I will hope for an afternoon walk through the woods at Meadowdale later today. YAY!



Hi Carla ~O) ~O) ~O) Yupp! tree is still standing. What a relief! I think we may make it through the season. PAWS CROSSED! :lol: :lol: And yes, she does test it several times a day. Nicholas decided to hag a small bell on it so we would know when she went up. it works too! she climbs and the bell jingles. :cool: We did so well this week, it was busy, but fun too.I so agree on being able to meet up with my son for breakfast, it really is a nice time. I loved the band show, and was more than grateful that the timing of that day worked out so I could go.

Hi Amy ~O) ~O) ~O) i know on this week, they are normally busy anyways, but this one was insane. :shock: :lol: LOL on Nicholas the rebel. haha! but sometimes he is. He does have an opinion on what he needs to do and what not. Well, all in good time on that one. I thought so too on Mannie... he still lets us know all is well, comes to day HI. LOL, and me too on Lola, and her tree. She's still climbing, bu it seems secure. PHEW!

Hi Chris ~O) ~O) ~O) I LOVE that photo, and have thought of doing just that many a time! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Somehow I think she'd still find a way in. She is one resourceful kitty! :shock: I've got to get some more videos! I really wish I had done one yesterday when the boys were decorating the tree and she decided to climb. they were laughing so hard at her antics. Not too sure why I didn't record that. ah well, more moments coming I am sure! :roll: :cool: :lol:
 
Hello Michelle,

I can`t believe how big the boys are getting. What great pictures of them. So glad the tree is holding up so far.

Terri
 
Hey Michelle,
I think you need a few more things to fill up your days. :lol: What a great report! The new tree is beautiful and it looks like the boys (and Lola) did a good job with the ornaments. I see you have a Xmas pickle. No tree should be without a Xmas pickle!

Mannie is certainly supervising the household. I'll bet he was wondering when you would find that testing kit and syringe! How nice that William, too, knows about Mannie. Nicholas must talk a lot about him to his brother.

Enjoy the upcoming week. It will be even fuller than last week. But it may include a nice hike. I guess you had pretty bad weather conditions last week.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Hi Terri! ~O) :-D THX for the visit. :-D I so know on the boys....how time flies. I wish I could slow it down just a little. ME TOO (!!!) on the tree! :-D

Hi Ella ~O) :-D oh haha, you are too funny. But yes. this past week was nuts, just really very busy. I am glad the upcoming one is bit more "Mellow" :lol: . THC on the tree. The boys had such fun decorating it, it a=was a great time. Lola was so funny. They were messing with her tree, so she had to be there to make sure all was well, made a few trips up to double check. :lol: YES !!! We have a Christmas pickle! HAVE TO HAVE A CHRISTMAS PICKLE!!!! :-D :-D :-D :cool: THX on Mannie, I often think the same thing, just know he is here. I also know too on his wondering when I would find that syringe etc. What a flood of memories with that find.... all good ones. I wonder too n Nicholas and William I suspect there are times when he does, or that he is just attuned and really listening whenever we talk about him, which somedays is often. THX on the upcoming week, it to will be busy,but so far no "extras" like parties or concerts PHEW! A relief! And yes on the weather! We have had some very stormy days! Alot of water!!
 
Hi Amy ~O) :-D I thought so too! I just couldn't believe it when I saw that syringe on the floor, and the case. I'm sure they were stuck behind the microwave, but still.... to find them was just way cool. After almsot two years, well, way cool!
 
Hi Michelle, I don't know how I missd this post and now it's almost Tuna Tuesday! ohmygod_smile Wonderful pics as always, the ones with Lola just cracked me up- we had one kitty just like Lola that loved Christmas too! :-D William and Nicholas are growing up so fast- William is not a baby anymore, how quickly the time flies! And I love your story with finding Mannie's insulin supplies- it's like a sign from him- it made me cry to read this, but it makes me happy! Have a great night! :-D
 
Hi Ruth ~O) :-D No worries! I have bee so busy anywyas that I Havoline been able to spend much time on the Board. A tad bit late for me today. LOL on Tuna Tuesday. I was going to post that, but had a very early dental appt this morning, like 7AM, and was out the door at 6AM, and just didn't have time. WEIRD that dentists are in at THAT HOUR! :lol: :lol: THX on the pics. Lola continues to LOVE her tree, and makes a few trips up each day. :roll: Oh yes on William, he had graduated to little boy phase, even has his own "big boy car seat" now too. Where does the time go? I think so too on Mannie's supplies. It was a greeting from him, I am sure. The emotions were strong for me too: an overwhelming sense of sorrow that he's at the bridge, but at the same time a strong persistent sense of happiness with all those memories. Days are good! :-D
 
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