Can Kittens be counted as science?

Couple of hours before delivery!

Our cat Lexi had four kittens the other day. It has been the longest 6 weeks our youngest daughter has ever experienced! Every day, several times a day she would ask, "When do you think Lexi will have her kittens?". Our older daughter googled information on the gestation of kittens. The girls would examine the calendar and make a prediction. The closer the time came to guesstimated the birthing day and it would pass a new day would be set. I am proud to say I won the pool! Two days before my birthday and on the full moon to boot.

 The youngest and I were settling in for the evening when Lexi began to pace and meow. I knew right away Lexi was in labor but did not want to excite the youngest because it could be hours before we saw kittens. Lexi belongs to the youngest, she sleeps with her and she lets her hold her. It made sense that Lexi would seek her for comfort. I left the two of them and set out the "birthing box" in my walk in closet. I had not been gone 5 minutes when she came running down the hall shouting Lexi "peed" all over her skirt! OH BOY! I explained that she was starting the birthing process. We moved Lexi to the box. We called the older sister to get home, "We are having kittens"!

Maisy!

It was so awesome to experience the birth of that first kitten with my daughter. Just the two of us in the closet with Lexi. Watching her in awe, excited, and being a great birthing coach! She spoke very quiet and loving to Lexi telling her she was going to be fine and what a good job she was doing. :0)

After about 21/1 hours all four kittens had arrived. The youngest fetched food and water for Lexi. Later she decided that the area needed to changed with clean changing pads. The girls gently lifted each baby, giving them each a once over, then they named them. (Piddle, Maisy, Bear, Widget) During the middle of the night Lexi decided that this spot was not the right place. She ended up in the bottom drawer of an old wooden filing cabinet in the older daughters bedroom. It is nice and dark as well roomy for Lexi and her growing little brood.

Each day the the youngest checks them out first thing in the morning, multiple times throughout the day and says goodnight. Both girls are great babysitters when Lexi takes a breaks. I for see kittens missing their playmates when the girls start school!

If I could I would send you a bouquet of sharpened pencils

There is something about autumn and the thoughts it conjurers up of school supplies. The smell of scotch tape..Tom Hanks from You've Got Mail.

I love back to school. To me back to school is like New Years the thought of the possibilities. Possibilities of fields trips, empty notebooks to be filled and time spent learning with my children. 

If I had it my way Tuesdays would be our only "school day" and the rest of the week be spent with field trips.

The past two years Sarah Elizabeth has attend the Home school Center. The first year transition was difficult at first only due to the limited amount of classes she was allowed to take. Last year she more than made up for it. She took a ton of classes including online classes. If all goes right she will graduate this year...a year early from High School! I am trying to talk her into taking advantage of free community college classes. Fingers crossed.
Emily attended public school. It was a fabulous experience for her. A perfect fit. Her teacher was awesome. She was lucky to have Mr. Partee both years. This year Emily would have transitioned to Brier Junior High. She has decided to attend the Home school Center as well. She is really excited to be attending the same school as Sarah Elizabeth.
Joseph will continue to attend a special needs classroom. His teacher from last year transitioned to his classroom which is wonderful. :0) I am praying this will be a better year. Over the past two years he missed a lot of school due to health issues.

This year promises to be a great year. I am looking forward to getting back into our home schooling groove. Keep ya posted!