We set up the play tent in the living room so we could do some living room camping (there is no shortage of environmental enrichment around here; last week the dining room chairs became the audience for a dancing show, and Fontina puffed up in fear.) We soon discovered these are not regular cats. They are NINJA cats. Or something otherworldly. As we played in the tent we came under attack. Kittens were flying against the side of the tent, entering through the window, scampering across the sleeping bag, and scaling the walls. Our indoor camping ultimately descended into hilarious laughter and giggling. Such a balm. These kittens are WILD! The tent was closed yesterday to accommodate actual camping, out in the yard, thus the sleeping bag had to come out, and Mama can only take a tent in the living room for so long. As we ate our supper we watched Kitten Racing Circuits, which included a loop through the (now closed) tent. We fully expected one to come leaping out the window. The tent has sustained some damage. Some frayed ties hang limply, and velcro and corners have suspicious tiny holes in them. Hmmmm. Must make tent kitten-proof.
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*in addition to Shelly It turns out that the humans are warm and kind and actually really good snugglers! The other day, Brie was on the change table in the bathroom (a new favorite perch from which to observe the interesting bathing activities) and Fontina joined her for snuggles. Brie kept shifting away from her and I felt such immense sadness - had Leroy (long haired grey tabby) or Anais (our dear sweet dog, the black one on the bottom left in the photos) been here, perhaps the kittens might have snuggled up with them for some living comfort. I hoped soon they might discover that we are exceptionally snuggly, too, and maybe we would serve. They have snuggled before, for short bursts, most often in the morning with me at the computer desk, after kitten breakfast. Otherwise, kittens are far too busy for cuddles! That night as we said good night to the minxes, they seemed lonely to me. I reminded them again that they could come upstairs with us and cuddle, and that it would be nice! Lo, they did! First Brie, then Fontina appeared. More sedate than usual, they skipped Racetrack and played Small Mammal Under the Blanket with my toes for a while. I thought that as on previous nights, that might be it and kittens would retreat to the cat tree. But to my surprise they snuggled in by my legs, one on either side, big purrs rumbling from their tiny bodies. In the morning I awoke to find they were *still* there. So sweet. And then we had a very strange exchange wherein Brie tried to comfort nurse on my neck, Fontina investigated to find out what she was doing, they bit eachothers' faces, and then everyone settled down for more purrs and snuggling. It was ever so satisfying to cuddle with these sleek little creatures. Purring cats (on my head) is on my top ten list of best things in life.
Last night before bed, L and a kitten were snuggled on the couch together. Bliss. This is what you look like after chasing your sister around madly while humans are in the tub, and you discover that the edge of said tub is treacherously slippery! It turns out TinyKittens can swim quite well, and leap out of the tub all on their own. We were reminded of the infamous story in our house of the incident of The Little One ambushing Fruitcake who was standing on the side of the tub innocently pawing at bubbles, and the swirling frothing chaos that ensued after contact. Fortunately these tiny sharp kitten nails were trimmed earlier that day, and no one was harmed. Tubbing was abruptly over at this point and, amidst alternating sympathy and laughter, Fontina was toweled off and set up with a hot wheat bag in the crow's nest where she retreated to help her dry. Her adventures didn't deter her, or Brie, from spending tub time in the bathroom with us on the following nights, considering the physics of bubbles, and if they should investigate further. This morning as I watched Fontina investigating the bathroom, I observed her great reluctance to jump down from the window sill onto the tub ledge. It seems she has filed tub ledges in the category of "slippery things." I wonder if she'll tell Brie.
This is a screen lock. This is a scampy kitten scaling a screen ... which is safer, now. We were alarmed to discover that our screens were not Fontina-proof, and would wiggle out under her scaling attacks. Thus, plans changed for the day and instead of working in the garden, we acquired and installed these devices, instead. Climbing resume ... if you must. Brie is always first on the scene, but Fontina seems more physically bold, performing hair-raising (and eyebrow-raising) maneuvers (of which I need a faster lens to capture, so, here's a tamer moment). No kitten noses in the morning yet. They prefer to wait until my appearance to purr at greeting pets in the crow's nest and then come for breakfast. However, sleep last night and the night before was interrupted due to 2 AM kitten wrestling on the bed [the cheese girls send their love to Auradorable!], complete with killing of the blanket. Last night's exploits included extended races over heads and down the racetrack, uh, hallway. L says good night to kittens now with a lengthening list of behaviors to avoid, summated by "make good choices, kittens!" The minxes have taken over the house. They are feeling much more at home and confident. Here they are powering up for their next exploit. They trill and purr and follow me, especially if it is snack time. I now know why Shelly walks so gracefully and carefully ... so as not to step on kittens winding around her feet. They enjoy assisting with meal preparation. And cleanup. And last night Brie rode around on my shoulder while I shut off the lights. Goodnight, kittens! No climbing screens, or going into the crawlspace, or knocking things over or leaping from one high ledge to another, and please try not to run over my face. Make good choices! We love you.
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