Mr. Lucky Cat

 It's President's day weekend. It's slightly drizzly; I have a cat sitting next to me while I write this near the fireplace.

Yes, I said Cat. 

Meet Mr. Lucky. 

One beautiful day in January as John was clearing out our garage, this incredibly cute tuxedo cat came walking up from our backyard, mewing in desperation. John stopped what he was doing, gave him a pet and watched as he walked up to Lucy, neither one of them being unfriendly. 

Mr. Lucky really likes to watch the guiena pig

The cat then walked towards our open door and entered our house, quickly making himself at home, eating Lucy's food and sprawling out on the couch. 

Whose cat is this? Surely this is a neighborhood cat that has just lost its way. He didn't have a collar. We posted his picture on our Facebook pages and other "Lost pet" websites but no one came forward claiming this cat.  John and Caleb decided to take him to the local vet to scan a chip. However, there was no chip. And, as the vet informed us, he wasn't neutered. "Probably a stray," he stated matter of factly and handed him back to us. Well, days turned into a week with no one coming forward to claim him. 

Meanwhile, we named his Lucky and he hasn't missed a meal. He plants himself comfortably on my lap in the morning. It's been two weeks since he moved in...and I have a feeling he's not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Besides adding a cat to our family, January and February have been relatively smooth sailing. The weather this winter has been exceptional, with very little rain, blue skies and temperatures in the upper 50s, even 60s. The flowers are already blooming and spring is in the air. 

This is good, because for the first time all of our kids are playing year 'round soccer outside. Rain or shine, they play, and it's a lot more enjoyable for everyone if it's not pouring.

In addition to soccer, Evelyn is finishing up her 8th grade school basketball team. Overall, they played a great season and Evelyn would definitely be considered an MVP.  After a home game the other night, she announced to me in the car that that was her last game playing in the West Hills gym. ☹️

This was also her last Daddy-Daughter Dance. 9 years (minus 2 covid years) 

She borrowed this dress fro her best friend. She looked stunning...and all grown up. 

 This year there are a lot of "lasts" as she finished out her time at West Hills and will move on to high school next year. 

The boys turned 12 on Feb. 7! 

We started the day with breakfast pancakes at IHOP. They even got ice cream. Luckily, their day was full of sports games, so they burned it all off. 

It was finally Caleb's turn to have his special one on one trip to Disneyland with John. He's been waiting and counting down the days for months. They made some really special memories and like the other boys, he was pretty depressed coming home, knowing that his long awaited trip was over. 

And so, the Patton family carries on through the winter months. So much life here in this home...(yes, even these animals contribute to the life, although they sleep through much of it....)