Adventure of the Escape Artist

He finally did it. He escaped. And he did it well.

We have this sign posted on our door to warn visitors of the possibility. And on occasion, he does get out. Sometimes we have to chase him down the sidewalk before we catch him. Sometimes he is so quick he is out of sight by the time we have shoes on in order to go get him. But never has he been out so long that he is purposefully trying to get back in.

Tonight, we were coming home from the lake after a weekend away. In the chaos of many trips in and out of the house carting all our stuff that we can't possibly live without for two days, Joey slipped out the door. And we didn't notice. For three hours. Until we had our pajamas on and were ready for bed.

When we got outside, we noticed that the veranda was covered with little paw prints.
Obviously, he was trying to get back inside the house because he realized that, in fact, the grass is not greener on the other side of the door, especially in February.

We spent a solid 20 minutes looking for him, trying to track cat prints in the snow. Eventually I discovered him sitting under the neighbors' carport, where there was no snow on the ground. When I picked him up, his little cat body was shivering, poor thing. I guess he has been storing up all that extra fat for an occasion such as this. And we always thought he was just getting fat for no reason. Clearly, he has been planning ahead.

Anyway, now he is back where he belongs. Inside the house. Curled up on the couch. Nice and cozy.

Grapes

The latest game. Stuffing Grapes (and many other food stuffs) into our mouth with gusto and flair. I am not sure where or how he learned this one, mom and dad don't do this (I don't think), but it is pretty darn funny. This is a small sampling, the outcome is consistent to n=15 grapes (the current limit of the trials). We are planning further testing to determine the limits of the extrapolation.

House = over

The family homestead for 38 odd years has been sold. Tomorrow morning at 8am the official switchover happens. Tonight was the last truck through the place. empty. strange. yet good. Start of the new adventure!

Around he goes

We have been mucking about in the empty new house. Empty houses are great for little ones. There is a circuit in this one (even better) that goes from the kitchen, to the living room, to the front entrance, and then back to the kitchen. Matthew just walks around and around laughing to himself and wearing a sock... on his hand. Life is pretty good when you have a sock on your hand.

Ooooooh

We are really not sure where he gets this from, but it makes us laugh every time.

Happiest Baby In the Pool

Matthew started swimming lessons this fall. When I say 'swimming lessons', I use the term very loosely since really all he is doing is splashing in the water and being moved around by Mom or Dad as they sing ridiculous songs with all the other adults. Anyway, he had a great time. He loves the water, as you can see in the following pictures...

splashing with Daddy

playing in the mushroom shower with Mommy

happy baby

practicing his floats

looks like Daddy had a good time too!

Party of One

Matthew's first party was a great success. Not sure how one exactly judges success in this context, particularly given that Matthew will have exactly zero recognition of the event. However there was cake and singing and presents and friends and fun. So definitely all good. A special thank you to Auntie Tricia who made the cakes!

You know, it is funny introducing these rites of passage. It makes you kind step back and think about it. Celebrating birthdays is, in and of itself, not that weird an idea, but the fact that we all do it the same is fascinating. We all sing the same song, we have the cake and the candle, and presents. It is such an established protocol, and yet, all brand new for Matthew. And kinda brand new for us, since we get participate now in a different role. Fun.

Singing the song.

Daddy helping blow out the candle.
Matthew generally unconvinced about the whole process.

Cake. A hit.