Kid Logic

You would think that after five and a half years of raising him, I would have some clue as to what was about to come out of Noah's mouth.  However, after breaking the cat news to him he once again manages to catch me off guard.  All in the space of about two minutes he went from being sad to exclaiming, "Now this is why you really need to buy me my own rifle!"  Um....NO!
Just when I thought everything was settled down, he came at me with something so random that all I could do was laugh.

Noah:  Momma, I really wish you had been right.
Me:  Right about what?
Noah:  About Oliver being a girl.
Me:  What?
Noah:  See, if Oliver was a girl like you said he was then he would have had babies and I would still have a cat!
Me:  (trying not to laugh) Well, even as hard as I try I can't be right all the time.
Noah:  I know, but just once would have been good!

So Friday night I went to have a discussion with the neighbors. Noah wanted to come with me and I let him. I figured that it would be a good experience for him in conflict resolution. Don't laugh! I'm serious. I remember being a little girl and a "friend" stealing one of my baby dolls. Instead of my Mom going to retrieve it, she called the grandmother of the "friend" and arranged a meeting so that my "friend" and I could work it out ourselves. I learned a lot from that and will always remember the feeling of pride that I could take care of things myself. Anyway, the meeting went well. I was very impressed with Noah and we managed to come to an arrangement that should work for everyone. 
As far as getting a new cat for the kids.....We'll see.

R.I.P. Oliver James

I love to sleep with the windows open.  Last night was the first time since the hot hot days of the summer that we were able to do just that.  It was wonderful until about one this morning when we heard a dog fight right outside our window. Joe ran to the door to see that our neighbor's dogs had wandered into our back yard and were fighting over the children's cat.  Joe got the gun and shot over their heads to try and break it up, but it was to late...the damage was already done.
What a way to start a Friday.  I have to wake the kids and tell them the cat is dead, then this afternoon confront the neighbors.  Ugh.

Oliver James Givens

Our family continues to grow. A few weeks ago we came home and found this sitting on our steps. Of course we fed her, and now it doesn't look like she is going anywhere. Noah has already named her. Noah will not believe me that the cat is a girl. He says we have to wait and see if it has babies, that is what makes it a girl, until then it is a boy. I figured there was no need to argue since we are going to have that situation taken care of and will not be having kittens anyway.

Noah's words telling my grandmother how he named the cat...

I named it Oliver James Givens. Oliver 'cause it reminds me of the cat Grammy used to have, James 'cause I want to name it after Pa, and Givens 'cause that makes us a family. We are just going to call it Oliver, but when it is bad and we have to yell we can call it Oliver James Givens.

Oh what a glimpse into our lives that gives. Unfortunately the boys know their full names all too well! I have a feeling this cat will learn her full name just as quickly. The crazy cat runs inside every time the door is open. Do you have any idea how hard it is to coerce a toddler to come in the door and kick nudge a cat out the door at the same time?