Wild Kingdom

On Saturday the Mr. and I were enjoying the sunshine on the patio and having a quiet (gasp) uninterrupted chat. Our cat had been hanging around, investigating bugs, rolling in the dirt on the concrete, and generally being in the vicinity. After a few minutes he wandered away around the side of the house, to be gone for a short interlude. I looked up in time to see him come trotting around the corner of the house towards us.

His mouth was full.

His mouth was full of a small, limp, and furry creature.

We wandered over to check it out when he sprawled in the dirt and dry weeds.

Behold the mighty hunter:

Look at him. All nonchalant and slightly possessive. Mildly smug.

The Mr. poked the furry lump.

It was still warm.

Ew.

We finally left him alone outside with it and peeked out later to catch Act II in The Drama Of Nature:

Looks likes it's curtains for Little Bunny FooFoo.

Eight is Great!

Hard to believe that eight years ago our lives changed dramatically and in a fashion that we never expected. We knew that adding a child to our lives would be a big adjustment, but when that child came precariously and prematurely into the world our course altered completely. I've heard it compare to getting on a plane expecting to go to England and finding that when you arrive you have landed in Germany. Both are great places, but your journey in Germany is vastly different from what you were prepared for in your journey to England.

Today I've been reflecting on that time eight years ago and some of the feelings I had then. Some of them are still the same: pride in a beautiful and tenacious child, worry for her future, excitement at small gains, total bewilderment at times, but most of all, love. We had to fight for her then, and we have to fight for her now.

Here's her 8 years in 8 photos, a little taste of our journey with Big Sis:

It's been a different journey from what we expected, but what an incredible path we have taken.

You've come a long way, baby!

Love,

Mama

Salon D'Mere

Last week the Kindergarten had a run of lice. I know. I squealed and squirmed too. I was DETERMINED that there would not be a run of it at our house. I just don't have words to express how much the thought of the whole delousing process made me want to bathe in bleach and cower in the corner for the rest of the week.

Well. Maybe there are words.

You still with me?

In an effort to ensure that we didn't have any buggie stowaways, Lil' Sis received a new daily 'do.

Before.

And, After.

Mother of the Year

So, I meant to create this post the night before Mother's Day as a celebration of my skills as a mother. But, I ended up too busy being, you know, a MOM to get them posted before now.

I submit this fact as Exhibit A in my quest to win the title of Mother of the Year.

I now give you Exhibit B:

When we arrived at OSH on Saturday night, this was how Big Sis was attired. I didn't even really notice until we got out of the car. Arrrrg, Matey!!

No worries. At least Lil' Sis has proper clothes on, right?

Um, sadly, no.

Which brings us to Exhibit C:

I didn't realize until we were getting out of the car that she hadn't gotten her shoes on like I had commanded at least FIVE times before we left the house. What makes it even better are the black paint marks all over her legs and her wildly frizzy hair, all paired with the delightfully mismatched yellow/green top and pink/purple skort.

Yep. That Mother of the Year award is in the bag.