He's HOW OLD??!!!

We managed to make it through this whole crazy week and weekend! Whew! I'm sneaking in my blog entry during family movie time. We're all in bed watching 'Martian Child'. Luciana is enjoying it so far. We selected it based on a recommendation from a friend. I'm just holding my breath hoping that it doesn't make me weepy for the night. Along with the three of us (Dej chose not to join us for the movie tonight:( , a few cats, and the snacks, we have a baseball glove in bed with us. L. mentioned a few nights ago that she wants to play baseball. She's been reading the old Charlie Brown books, and decided that baseball looks interesting. We told her we will get her paperwork in to the Y this week, and then she can start. In anticipation, she made me dig out Dej's old t-ball glove, so she could practice catching. She's been wearing/carrying the glove since then.

Mark's parents came today for a visit and just left a bit ago. It was a beautiful day, so we were able to sit out on the patio and enjoy the weather and the beautiful male cardinal who sat in a tree singing for us.



The birthday boy with the poster L. made him. He told her once that his favorite animal was a white tiger or an elk, so she drew a picture with both.


Yesterday was my dad's 60th birthday. My mom was able to pull off a surprise party--he had no clue! Mark helped yesterday by keeping my dad busy working at the gardens for a workday, and they took him out for lunch, which kept him busy until party time. It was great to see how many people came to wish my dad well in his senior years. ;P Sonya, L's new little friend (from Africa) was able to come to the party, too. We were all happy to see her and absolutely heartbroken to see that she cried when she left.




The girls playing together. Surprisingly, this did NOT end with anyone getting hurt or angry!

Before the party, we had a minor emergency. One of our little rescue kitties was supposed to be picked up from the vet by the woman we thought was going to adopt her. (This is not one of the mother/kitten group, but a totally separate incident.) We found out at the last minute that all was not well with her arrangements. This little girl kitty is severly handicapped and extremely tiny, though the vet said she is full grown. Because one of her back legs grows totally backward, it doesn't work, and she has poor balance and limited jumping ability. She weighs about 4 pounds. There is NO WAY she could ever survive the proposed living situation, so we had to come up with other arrangements. We had time constraints, and Al. and I were unable to get to IL to pick her up, in addition to the fact that we had no place for her. After several hundred panicked phone calls and e-mails, we found a wonderful friend of mine (non AR person!) who was willing to pick her up and bring her to my house (thanks a million, Mike!!!). She is so perfect and tiny and precious! We love her--a lot.

She is living in L's room for now, where she is extremely happy. She goes back and forth between eating and coming over for love and cuddles, purring the whole time. She was very frightened of normal house stuff at first--TV, computer, toys, shelves, etc. She's very friendly and sweet, but it seems she hasn't lived in, or spent much time in, a house. We are planning to try to socialize her with one cat at a time. So far, my cats have all been really pleasant with her--very curious but mannerly. She, on the other hand, growls whenever she sees another cat. She's so tiny and at such a disadvantage, I certainly don't blame her. If we are able to integrate her so she's 100% safe, we will keep her. The whole family is in love with her! After much switching back and forth and voting, L. decided she wanted to name her Tica. These pics definitely don't do her justice! I took them tonight, while she was in bed with us for movie time.