Introducing Maybel Waterstraut

Things are looking up, but it was a really rough week around here. We lost our cat, Penelope. She was only four, and we're not really sure what happened. One day she was a little lethargic, nothing too alarming. It got a little worse towards bed time and she passed away in her sleep that night. It was really rough on the boys. It was very unexpected, and Peyton and Penelope were buddies, who spent a lot of time together. Penelope would even climb up to the top bunk to sleep with Peyton every night. It was devastating for them. 

To add insult to injury, this week we found a baby rabbit, abandoned in the middle of the playground. It was barely alive, but we told the boys we could bring it home and do our best with it. It didn't even last 24 hours, which I suspected, but we couldn't in good conscious leave it down at the playground. Another heartbreak. 

Needless to say, we had a very light home school week. Nobody was in the mood. We even missed an aquarium eco-guide field trip. We took it easy all week, and lets be honest, with Calib joining in with the home schooling, the lines between school hours and non-school hours in this house have been so blurred, nobody knows what day of the week it is anymore. So we've done a little here and a little there. We did feature Division Man to help Peyton with his long division. 

I also got a new daily board up for Peyton and one for Calib. I didn't want to go back and do all the Countries and Capitals, but Calib really wanted to. So, I put them on his. 

And despite our printer being out of color ink, we made it work and mailed out two more helpful hummingbirds. We're hoping to get something back from them soon. We haven't had fun mail in awhile. 

 

 Calib did his cooking this week, he made the 29 cent steaks. He found a marinade online, and did it all by himself. They were really good too.

Hayden made waffles on Wednesday. We tried the corn dog waffles you always see on Pinterest. It was ok, but did not work out nearly like what you see online. I made some homemade microwave chips to go along with it. Those are always a big hit. 

Thursday Asa and I started discussing when to get a new cat. I never know how to handle this. I know some people recommend waiting awhile. But, Peyton was just miserable, and he had asked about getting a new kitten. After talking it over with the kids, we decided to go to the shelter to just see about kittens. 

Friday Asa took Peyton and Calib out to the Pasco County Animal Shelter, and they all fell in love with a black and white, very playful kitten. She is 8 weeks old, microchipped with all her shots, and spade. The people at the shelter said they felt she was going to a good home, and so they would honor their old promotion of $5 Feline Fridays. We also have a certificate for her to get her next round of shots, and a check up free of charge. 

Peyton decided he wanted to name her Maybel. Spelled with a y, so we can call her May for short. She is super fun, and cuddly, and loves toys. She has really, really helped cheer up Peyton. He told me he will always miss Penelope, but the new kitten helps him feel not so sad. 

Saturday morning, I had enrolled Peyton and Hayden in their first build and grow class at Lowes. It's a free class Lowes has the second Saturday of every month. You just have to register so they know how many kits to have. Peyton wanted to stay at home with the new kitten, so I just took Hayden out. 

He followed the directions, and built his car. It's actually pretty cool, and he even got a patch for his apron. He says he wants to keep going to get more patches. Home Depot does the same thing, so we've registered for some of those classes too. 

 Saturday evening, we went out to the Monday Night Football Tour Bus at International Plaza. It was hosted by GMC, and you had to test drive one of their cars- which I was annoyed with. BUT, after you did that you got a $20 american express gift card, a voucher to meet one of the Bucs players, and a Monday Night t-shirt. It was worth the lap around the parking lot. Asa did it too, so we left with some autographs (including Calib getting his Doug Martin jersey signed!) 

The boys played some games, and Asa and Calib got their pictures on a Madden Cover. 

And we stayed around long enough to also see Dashon Goldson, another Buccaneer player. Not only was it all free, we profited $40 in american express gift cards. We're going to use them so we can get pizza to tailgate for Monday night football. I'm pushing for extra crazy bread. I have the coupon already printed out. 

Today we spent at home, Peyton is buddies with the new kitten. I've found them curled up sleeping together more than once. Peyton and Hayden have actually switched bunks, because Maybel can't climb the ladder up to the top bunk. Hayden said he enjoys the view from the top. 

Today Asa worked, so he's off on Tuesday and will be able to stay until the end of the Bucs game tomorrow night. We could win a game! And, the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars won today, so we could still be in the lead for the top pick in the draft. It's a win-win.

We had a pita bar, watched some football, and talked about how we all want to win tomorrow night. Just one win, would be awesome.

Next Up: Happier Times! Monday Night Football! Mosi Classes, and an aquarium trip!