Our local zoo had a cool Halloween event - they stayed open until 9pm, and had games, food, and lights on the animal enclosures. But we brought our own animal.
Meanwhile, of course, we turned the actual beast in our house into a gourd.
As the weather gets colder (we've had some days with temps in the 45° range), the gear needs to come out - hats, scarves, gloves. But the box proved tempting, both to Asa and to his goofy parents. And a little game of dress-up ensued.
We packed a lot into an all-too-short visit! Lots of talking - before, during and after dinner, dessert and espresso - and lots of playtime with a little boy.
We also managed a walk through a local Audubon preserve - a little late for the peak of fall color, but still a nearly-perfect day for a walk.
After about two or three minutes of shyness, Asa remembered how much he loves his Auntie. He spent most of the rest of the evening giggling and flirting.
We can do a lot in a short time, and we hope the laughs and snuggles keep you coming back, Janet!
There were pumpkins! (that's not the one we got, but it was nearly that big!)
Asa got a little hungry and fussy in the hay bale maze, and cried when Anna, who is a liberated young lady, decided to give him hugs and kisses. They made up over snack.
It might have helped that Anna, having finished her own snack, found the best way to a baby boy's heart.
And two loving Mamas, looking out for (and getting snuggles from) each other's kids.
Asa and Mommy went to Mommy's high school reunion last weekend. I understand they had a great time with Nonni and Auntie Sarah. Meanwhile, I did what parents do when faced with a free weekend:
I took down the baby gate.
I slept past 6am.
I watched the entirely inappropriate - but very funny - Eddie Izzard.
I read two entire Asey Mayo mystery novels. (Yes, Asey. Probably a diminutive of Asa. Did I name my son after an early 20th century fictional character? Umm... no... of course not.)
I built a surround for the new dishwasher. Like ya do.
(Sorry for the blur. It happens sometimes when the camera battery is dying.)
I'll paint it this weekend, and add a shelf over the current countertop, but even now I think it looks pretty decent. A good weekend's work!
Oliver is probably still following her boy, but in a far less tangible form.
Almost from the day we brought Asa home, Oliver has been his "Nana" - following him, kissing him, playing with him...
...hurrying us into his room if he cried in the night, and sometimes even curling up in his crib to comfort him.
Even his increased mobility didn't deter her - she played more, but always gently. We had to get Luna declawed, but Oliver knew not to extend her claws, even when she was getting annoyed.
And you've perhaps noted the use of the past tense.
Because our sweet little kitten - only four years old - who was afraid of other cats and who never left the yard, finally got fed up with the little stray who kept coming by, and chased him out into our very busy street. It seems that she never knew what happened, and she didn't suffer.
We, on the other hand, are heartbroken. It was hard enough to have to put Gracey down earlier this year, when all the indications pointed to cancer, when she'd already begun to suffer, when she'd had fifteen years of being a spoiled diva. We thought that one was sudden. But this was shocking. Breathtaking. Shattering.
A special thank you to Auntie Jen, who came over to be with M. and Asa yesterday, while I had to work - and who sweetly installed our dishwasher! Her blog post remembering Oliver gave me the courage to write this one, when I was pretty sure that I'd never find the words.
Meanwhile, the memory that brings the greatest joy, even through our tears.
