January 2025

The month started off kind of crummy and despite the inauguration today we are going to do our best to make 2025 a great year.

We started letting the kittens upstairs. It was so much fun to have them running around and exploring a new space.

But they still spent most of their time in the basement. 



Ally got a bad cold and missed a couple days of school. One day when she was feeling better I suggested we get out of the house for a while. She asked if we could go to Barnes and Noble. 

I did make her put back a few of those books. But I am thrilled that she’s reading and am happy to support it.

Ally and her guy friends did a Secret Santa gift exchange. They met up at Calvin’s house and exchanged gifts. 

Ally was so thrilled and touched that her secret Santa got her a stuffed Syracuse mascot! Otto the Orange. 

What a really thoughtful gift. 

She did make it to school for her first dissection! They were dissecting a squid in Marine Biology. Ally said she mostly watched her lab partner, but she did hold the skin back!

Lots of naps. 

We said goodbye to the Game triplet kittens. They were all neutered and I went to visit them while they recovered. It was sad to say goodbye but I’m so happy with their new homes and already looking forward to fostering a new family.

Syracuse is having a series of virtual events for admitted students and we attend one last week. 

We got new kittens! They were only 3 days old. 4 babies and their mama.





It took us a few days to name them. We decided on a Presidents theme. Welcome Madison (mama) and her babies; Carter, Kennedy, Adams & Lincoln. Lincoln is the darker one, the other 3 are almost identical.

Ally had her first club volleyball tournament this season. 

Her team lost all 3 games. 

Maybe this blog should be life of kittens. They are just so adorable and 2-3 times a day we are with them.









Ally got a hair cut! Always nice to have a fresh look.

A Bed Party

I’d seen in social media that sometimes parents have a “bed party” when their child gets accepted into college. A way to celebrate the goal accomplished. 

After Ally’s acceptance to Syracuse I started buying Syracuse merchandise and some other orange and blue items to round out the party.  Becky set it all up for Ally and got Cloey dressed for the celebration.

An old school pennant, lots of Syracuse clothing; sweatshirts, T-shirts, pajamas, ball caps, winter hats, a pair of Nike Dunks in Syracuse Orange, a Syracuse puzzle some chips in orange and blue bags, a cozy navy blue blanket and some bunting flags in the school colors. I even got Syracuse shirts for our pets. 

Ally had no idea.

Then she saw the bed.

And was so surprised 

She literally stopped in her tracks to take it in

Then she got Maggie dressed

She worked so hard for this and we wanted to celebrate her accomplishment. Ally is not a go out to dinner and celebrate kind of person so this seemed perfect. 

We even got a special edition of Monopoly.

Can’t wait to play this with Grandma and Poppy on their next visit. 

Gear for Becky too was on the bed, because we want to support Ally. 

Better picture of Maggie in her ‘Cuse T-shirt 

Daisy has a matching one of course

A cute winter hats for me. My Syracuse Mom shirt is on backorder but of course I’m getting one.

Then this came in the mail. It was a lovely admission packet…welcome to Syracuse. She’s so excited to spend the next 4 years there. 

But first, need to finish high school. Today was her first day back after two weeks off. 



We are all going to miss her so much when she’s at Syracuse. But I’m so incredibly happy for her. 

Happy New Year!

The time between Christmas and New Year’s is always a little weird to me. For many years we would drive to my parents and spend time with them. But it’s been a while since then and the last couple years it’s been a little boring. 

This year we’ve all needed some time to rest. 

Becky finished the final Christmas puzzle.

Ally and I went to a new Romance Book Store in Harvard Square. 

Ally went to the mall with friends.

Becky finished a 1000 piece puzzle all by herself!

Ally met up with friends again. 

We love our kitten named Trouble. 

We had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home just the 3 of us. We made it to midnight to see the ball drop in Times Square. 

Here’s hoping for a fabulous and healthy 2025!

Christmas 2024

It was a lovely Christmas Day.

Santa came!

Ally still likes to have matching pajamas with Cloey.



Daisy was not loving her leg warmers and sweater. But she does love Ally.



Ally had some specific requests for Christmas this year. Most were beauty-related gifts like this Shark hair dryer with curling and straightening attachments.

Beth made these garden mushrooms for Debbie in her ceramics class. They are gorgeous.

Great Aunt Martha and Uncle Phil got Ally some new sneakers she’s been wanting. 

Beth also made this quilt for Debbie. It’s from White Christmas. 

Lots of pictures of Santa Cloey. This one is grumpy 

Sad

Happy

The kittens are still with us and they came upstairs to play for a while.

So fun that my cousin Kimn could spend the day with us. 




All cuddled up watching Muppets Christmas Carol.