Cat

We got a cat over Thanksgiving weekend, so I though it important to finally document it before the Christmas craziness starts.

We adopted her through a small rescue/foster program.  We were told she was rescued from a pet hoarding situation, so she had some boo boos that are almost healed and she has a wonky eye, but otherwise is really friendly and likes to play and has magnificent whiskers.  As Jack summed it up, "It is nice to have a cat that likes us."

We collectively decided on Cleo for a name and she seems to actually respond to it, though after the discovery of the scar on her eye, Jack pleaded to rename her Kylo Ren.  I guess only a few of you will get that reference, but we nixed it anyway.

She will actually hang out with Jack!

 She also really likes watching the birds.

And has been pretty patient, so far.

She and Jack get plenty of exercise.

- S.

Tourist Times

First walk on the Freedom Trail.

On Veteran's Day I had to attend a work training, so Derrick took the day off and he and Jack had a big city adventure.  Jack really enjoyed learning all about the Mayflower in school, so to continue on the historic ship theme, Derrick and Jack went to see the USS Constitution and museum.  It seemed fun was had by both parties and now the door has opened to visit other historic sites.  

- S.

Soccer

   

Soccer ended last Sunday.  Jack was so excited, he scored three goals. 

Jack made it clear he does not like playing soccer and we should not try to trick him (!) into playing in the future.  He was open to thinking about another activity he might want to try, but we'll wait until after the holidays to venture into something else.

- S.

Halloween

Jack o lantern prep

Carving.  Serious business.

We were pretty lax with the photos and didn't get one of the finished products,

and now they are moldy and wrinkled, but they were delightful on Halloween.

Jack was a Siamese cat.

 Candy dump

Candy sort.

It was nice weather on Halloween again this year and Jack had more stamina than past years so we went beyond the typical trick or treat route.  Jack was excited to acquire 97 items in his treat bag.

- S.

Fall Stuff

Time for the usual Fall activities.  This year we did not go apple picking, but Jack and Derrick picked up a 1/2 peck of apples at the farm when they went to get pumpkins while I was working.  So delicacies such as apple butter and apple crisp have been made.

Oh, cider donut too at the farm.

Pumpkin patch

Silly selfie at the pumpkin patch.

Leaf pile jump

Leaf pile snooze

Also, recently we went to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a nighttime Halloween celebration.  The setup was that a wizard broke their wand and now all the animals in the woods were human sized and could talk.  We walked through the woods with our group to see who was out there.  The trails were lit with jack o lanterns. 

Wizard and story about the broken wand.

One of the "animals" we came across and learned about.

One of Jack's favorite pumpkins.

When we were done with the hike, we got to sit by a fire outside and have cider and a cider donut.  It was a relatively warm night and a fun time.

- S.

Fair

Finally some photos from the Topsfield Fair.  We managed to go to the fair three times this year as the weather was very nice both weekends, which is generally unheard of.  We also got back on the usual schedule of watching the parade at great-nana's on the first Saturday and having fried dough afterwards. 

Watching the parade.

Excited for fried dough.

With the giant pumpkin.  A new record, I believe.

Annual ride on the panda.  Might be too big for this one next year.

The big slide with dad.

Playing the fish game which we then realized the prize was not stuffed fish,

but actual fish.

Meet Bubbles (L) and Goldie (R), new residents of the playroom.

 Jack also won at the "launch the shark into the moving bucket" game.

Meet Pan Pan, who was quickly added to the panda collection that lives on Jack's bed.

Wizard dog has yet to be named.

Other games were played and a variety of rides ridden.  Junk food was eaten, but we at least avoided a request for cotton candy, so that's something.  We sufficiently celebrated the 200th anniversary of the fair and look forward to next year.

- S.

Checkup

Jack had his year six checkup a couple of weeks ago.  

He weighed in at 59.3 pounds and was 4'1" tall.

Since his trip to the doctor, he has had another growth spurt and is creeping up on 4'2".

Jack got a good report from the doctor and didn't have to get a shot this time, 

so he was very happy about that.  

Continuing the series of terrible pictures of tooth status,

Jack has lost tooth number four and has some nice symmetry going on.

Next post: Topsfield Fair 

- S.