The Zoe and Silas Show

Today I went to a yoga class for the first time in far too many years. It felt wonderful and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I can't wait to go back! Today Derek gave Silas his traditional mid-summer haircut. Today the weather was perfect and we enjoyed bike rides (them) / a walk (me) in the park after lunch. Today Zoe chased the cats until they succumbed to her love and adoration. Today I put the garbage on the curb for weekly pickup and realized that we didn't have any! We recycle and compost far more than we throw away. I am grateful to be able to teach Zoe & Silas these habits. Empty trash barrel Countertop compost bin  Backyard compost bin that we bought at Town Hall Food compost, including the hair from Silas' haircut today! Today I checked on the rooftop vegetable patio garden - it's doing great! Today we went school supply shopping so that I can enjoy the last month of summer without worrying abou...

As we hit the end of July we are relishing the relaxed summer nights around here. Walks to the corner store after work- Kitten snoozes in the window- Playing outside after dinner- And after dinner bike rides in the park aplenty. The best part is when they ride down the "big hill" out of the woods and we make the loop home. These are the days.

Zoe wanted me to include an updated picture of her too. Here she is with one of her current obsessions  - PEPPER!  7/22/17 7/16/17 Pepper and Piper are nearly 5 months old now and they have settled into our house quite nicely! Pepper wants to go to the pool too! 7/16/17

5/6/13: On Monday afternoon we said goodbye to Salvador. We lost Serena 2-1/2 years ago when Zoe & Silas were too young to understand what happened. It's been a tough 9 months for Derek's family, and the conversations we've had to have with the kids about topics that are far beyond their years and comprehension have been emotionally draining. To say that we are ready for a break from sickness and death for awhile would be an understatement. After telling S&Z on Sunday that Salvador would be put to sleep on Monday (and very clearly defining what that meant), I asked if they had any questions. Silas checked in with Zoe and then responded solemnly, "No, we are all out of questions"... This is the first time I have lived without a cat since I was 7 years old, so it's no wonder my house and heart feels so empty. It felt good to look through all the blog posts tagged with 'cats'  tonight. The pictures and videos from when S&Z were babie...

2/28/13: The kids woke up when I was in the shower this morning. By the time I went in to get them they already had some serious playing underway - riding the train in search of bones for Zoe the Kitty Cat (??).

8/23/12: Silas noticed that Salvador's food bowl was empty, so he insisted on stopping to feed him... He filled up the scoop very carefully and then put it in his bowl.

8/22/12: S&Z found Salvador all snuggled up underneath the blanket on our bed. All you could see peeking out was his tail!

5/23/12: Zoe thinks that being gentle makes putting Salvador in a headlock okay.

2/13/12: Poor Salvador, even he can't poop in peace. 

I'm not a big v-day person, but I wanted an excuse to re-post this picture of Silas, Zoe & Serena from last Valentine's Day. S&Z had just started holding hands around this time last year so there was a lot of cuteness going on. Serena, we miss you more than words can express..... With love,  Zoe and Silas

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this post. Serena was put to sleep tonight at 7pm. She was 14 years old. She was the best cat anyone could have ever asked for. She has given me so much love and helped me get through so many tough times, since I was 21 years old. I will miss her terribly. As will Salvador, Derek, And Silas and Zoe. I love you, Serena. Thank you for loving me too.

People often ask me what the cats think about Silas & Zoe. At this stage, they love the babies! They can get some loving and then get up and leave whenever the petting and pulling becomes too much. Just wait until they have two little ones crawling or running after them, though! It will likely be a whole different scenario :)

Silas and Zoe have slowly been discovering that one another exists over the last few months, but it's now official -- they are totally into each other! They have been doing a lot of hand and finger play for the last 6 weeks or so, which naturally extends to their sibling's hands too! And it was only a matter of time before it turned into holding hands... And now the cuteness just never stops... On Valentine's Day, Serena needed to get on the action. They spoon, they cuddle, you know, the usual. More and more, they are also starting to have face-to-face social interactions with each other. They smiled at each other for the first time two weeks ago, and that was pretty cool! It will probably be awhile before I can get that on camera, however. Someone recently commented that everyone should have a twin: we would all know how to share and no one would ever be lonely... I truly wish that for Silas & Zoe in the years to come!