Oscar Stew

Yesterday our dear cat, Cheddar, disappeared. He is a sneaky little thing, and must have slipped outside while the kids were ping-ponging between the kitchen and backyard. Somehow he went unnoticed and was brave enough to leave the yard. We spent the last 24 hours checking the fence for any any evidence that might lead us in the right direction. We have been tracking down leads from neighborhood kids, and canvasing the neighboorhood with all manner of cat-calls. No sign of him.

This morning we posted signs around the neighborhood hoping that someone may have found him. The kids have been praying for Cheddar’s safe return, and asking anyone who will listen to join in the effort. 

I owe a big thanks to this man for walking the streets at 11o’clock at night with a flashlight hoping to find Cheddar huddled up under a bush. It takes a true man and dedicated father to walk around the neighborhood calling “here kitty, kitty.” 

It’s only been 24 hours but Cheddar is definitely missed. We miss his company & playful spirit. I even miss his annoying habits, like hovering when we eat hoping that a morsel of turkey sandwich will fall into his lap, or batting old receipts around the kitchen floor.

As embarrassing as it is to blog about a cat, and take a chance at becoming a “crazy cat lady,” we miss this little ball of fur and home he makes his way home to us.

With fall right around the corner, we’ve been trying to squeeze in as many summer activities as possible. 

The kids have been begging to go back to the Sprayground, so today after school we practically kidnapped Drew and drove in secrecy while he wondered why his swimsuit was in the car. Brinley proved to be an excellent secret-keeper, although she did come close to spilling the beans twice.

When we pulled up both kids were all smiles and wasted no time getting wet.

Binnie Bidet taking a seat on her throne.

Drew was up to his usual tricks, weaving around and only jumping through the biggest fountains.

Rowan got her feet wet and didn’t seem to mind. I think the sun bothered her more than the water.

If only I could freeze time…this is the essence of summer. I want to bottle it up and save it for January.

After 45 minutes the kids were worn out and getting chilled. A cloud cover rolled in and it was time to go, I’m glad mother nature agreed – it made dragging the kids to the car so much easier.

We explored a lost continent the other night. Our weapons of choice were golf-club-style machetes, a short pencil with no eraser, and a small piece of paper. Always prepared. There were exploding volcanos, quicksand, and cannibals!

Drew and Brinley had a tender moment as we made our way through the thick jungle.

At the beginnng of the night Drew was all power and no precision.

This is how Brinley always gets a hole in two. She has no patience for putting the ball around. Tigress Woods she is not.

After taking this shot Drew hit the ball right into my eye.  If he had hit my lens we would have gone home with only two kids instead of three. 

This is Brinley doing the potty dance on the 7th hole. Wonderful!

 Drew putts left & right handed. Is that a blade or a cavity back? Maybe he should try a 4-iron. Hey golfer golfer, heeey golfer golfer, heeeey golferrrr, putt!

This picture pretty much sums up the whole evening. Drew focusing on his golfing technique, and Brinley dancing around. Tra-la-la Binnie.

Rowan was pretty bored with the whole experience and decided the back of her eyelids was more exciting than watching golf. Nobody else has ever felt that way.

Brinley’s Cinderella jellies were starting to chafe towards the end of the evening, so she hitched a ride on Daddy’s shoulders. I put her shoes in the only “pocket” I could find…

It was a fun, chaotic, family away-from-home evening!