Kimler Adventure Pages (http://randsco.com)

Year of the Cat: Now we know why her "Meowing" is getting better, she's been pinching Tuxedo's cat food!

There is nothing that causes Alex more squeals of delight than a sighting of our cat, Tuxedo. These sightings are rare not because of Alex, but rather, the cat is actively HIDING from Alex. He spends a great deal of time in the basement, napping on a blanket among boxes or under the covers of the guest bed. It's the only way he can catch uninterrupted Zzzs (which, next to eating, is his 2nd favorite pastime). Laps and petting have taken a distant third place, but let me tell you, when the Oop goes to bed at 8 PM (her bedtime), the cat emerges from the basement, looking for a warm lap. He's become quite militant about having one too, demanding that either Rachel, or Scott, provide him with a warm, cozy spot (preferably one that INCLUDES petting). Anyway, this is supposed to be about Alex, not the cat.

Because Alex is so enamored with Tuxedo, she knows what a cat looks like and "meows" when she spots one in a book. She has been doing this for quite some time and we may have already mentioned it, but we've noticed that her "meows" have improved DRAMATICALLY. Now, when she pipes up with a "meow", it's difficult to tell if it's Alex or the Real McCoy (if we're not standing right there). Well, a few weeks ago, we discovered the answer to the mysterious question of WHY Alex's "meows" were becoming so realistic. She has been living an alternate life - as a cat! Scott went to go put out the trash the other day and found Alex, one hand in the cat's water bowl (just sitting there, wet up to the wrist) and the other hand plucking dry cat food out of the food bowl and into her mouth. SHE'S BEEN EATING CAT FOOD! (In one fell swoop, we discovered the answer to yet, another mystery - why was Alex's breath smelling was so bad?).