We've been busy.

But hasn't everyone? Anna's had plenty of practice as a four-year-old school girl now, we've taken a handful of trips together, and just as the leaves were warming in color, a sweet but malnourished tabby adopted us.

Preschool is fun. And not just for Anna. Parents take turns providing snacks and volunteering at parties, so we [Annie and I] have been having a ball baking cookies and thinking up clever ways to present snacks like cheese and vegetables. I'm warned the joy will eventually wear off, so I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

Then about 6 weeks ago, a scrawny, partially hairless, orange tabby was dumped in our neighborhood. Not being a cat person, I wasn't particularly wishing that she stuck around, but after waiting for a month, she's here to stay. Jeff and Anna have convinced me. Her name is Hattie, the Cattie. It was given to her by a preschooler fascinated with rhyming, wanna guess who? I think it was probably just an evolution from a Dr. Seuss favorite.

We celebrated Anna's 4th with such a fun family event. But there are so many pictures from that fun day, I think it will get its own post. Happy Fall!