Merry Christmas

This year's gifts and activities revolved around hockey and horses!

Ace of Hearts

 For almost two years Zoe has been leasing Kittery, but at the end of last month Ace became available, so we made the switch to a new horse. She still gets to see Kittery and ride him occasionally, which is nice. Ace is much bigger, so he is a better fit for her physically, and he has received more training, making him  capable of a lot more.  The only drawback is that he can be a bit mean - hard to believe - because he is so cute.  We plan to win him over with LOTS of treats.  

Halloween

It's funny how things change.  Halloween used to be a big deal at our house, but as Zoe has gotten older she has not been interested in the traditional pumpkin carving, dressing up, and trick-or-treating - in fact,  this was the second year that she did not go out trick-or-tricking.  She seemed content to stay home and pass out candy.  Yet, she was very excited to dress up and go to a Halloween party that a group of friends hosted the weekend before Halloween.  We are definitely feeling the push-pull of the teenage years.  

Zan was still very much into the traditions though!  He made his own "Minecraft" character  costume!  

Thule

Thule

2008? - 2013

We're missing our sweet cat, Thule.  She arrived at house, during a bitterly cold winter, almost three years ago.  We don't know exactly how old she was or where she came from.  For the first six months, she lived under our porch, only coming out to eat after we went back inside and never allowing us to get near her.  In fact, we wondered if she was a feral cat.  However we kept feeding her,  and eventually she grew to trust us.  Two falls ago she moved into the house and never really had an interest in leaving the house again.  This past  summer when we were gone for a month and neighbors were caring for her, she started acting a little weird -  hiding and not eating.  She seemed OK when we got home, so we assumed that she had gotten a case of kitty cat depression while we were gone.  Unfortunately in early September things started going downhill quickly for her.  She had a sudden case of hypertension, causing her to loose her hearing and eyesight temporarily.  With medication, she bounced back a bit, but was not quite her usual self,  for about a month.  This week she stopped eating and drinking, becoming increasingly lethargic.  On Tuesday, the vet tried an appetite stimulant and fluids to make her feel better, but her blood test showed that her kidneys were failing.   With the vet's recommendation, we decided to euthanize her.  

2 Phase Show at Green Acres

Yesterday was a wet day for a horse show!  Despite the cold and rainy weather, Zoe competed in a 2 phase show, which means she performed a "test" or a series of specific movements that are each judged and a jump course.  The only dry places were the indoor warm up ring, the car and under the EZ up.  Even Kittery wanted to get out of the rain!  

Belated Birthday Party

Zan turned nine in April, but we didn't celebrate his birthday with his friends until yesterday.  Mike took Zan and three friends to Ruggles Mine for some real live "MINECRAFT."  

Back to School

We all started back to school this week.  Zan is in 4th grade, and Zoe in 8th!  

Moose on the Loose

Yesterday morning Mike came running in the house yelling, "Get dressed!  Get dressed! Hurry! There is a moose outside!"  We didn't know quite what to think,  but followed him outside and down the street.  Sure enough, this young moose was resting in a backyard about two blocks from our house.  Overnight two young moose had wandered into the city from the dense woods a mile or so away.  They wandered around the neighborhood for several hours before wildlife officials herded them back to the woods.

Swim Lessons

 Yesterday was the last day of swim lessons.  We had quite a few cold rainy days and a few hot sunny days - funny how the water feels warmer on the cold cloudy days.  This year Zan practiced lots of strokes:  breast, back, elementary back, free style, side, and butterfly.  He is an expert diver, but needs practice with his rotary breathing. There were only four kids in the group and two instructors - practically private lessons!  

  Ryan and Zan 

The Docks

Last year, early on steamy mornings,  Zan and I started riding our bikes to the docks and going for a swim before riding home again.  This week we continued the tradition.  Look how still the pond is!