Personal Trainer

Norma is helping Kenta with his stretching.
 

The Plan

Alias and Kenta new thing is teaming up to rest on my desk. This of course makes working on my desk challenging. I think they are sending me a message.
 

And the Winner Is

I’ve watched every Kentucky Derby since 1973. This year’s was amazing with three horses nose to nose in a photo finish win. This made me think who would win a race between Norma, Kenta and Alias. If it came down to a photo finish, Alias is the favorite because his schnoz is slightly longer than his siblings.
 

Extra Excitement

Extra excitement in our house this weekend. I went downstairs to feed my housemates breakfast. Instead of going to his dish, Alias dashed to the TV stand and tried to reach something underneath. For the first time ever, Kenta left a dish full of food to see what Alias was up to. Norma, concerned by the break in routine, ran upstairs. Alias and Kenta had cornered a baby mouse. Kenta took charge and brought the mouse upstairs, carrying it in his mouth. I followed them upstairs. Kenta was swatting the mouse around. I intervened and scooped it up into a jar and let it go outside. It was still moving but I didn’t know how injured it was. And really, what chance does a baby mouse have on its own?

The bad news is it seems unlikely there was a lone baby mouse in our basement. The good news is due to their skills, I deputized both Kenta and Alias as our house captain captors.

In Charge

Norma Jean still has a lot of her playful kitten energy but I think her younger brother's even crazier kitten energy wears her out. Kenta loves to chase her but as soon as she stops, turns around and confronts him, he understands who is in charge and walks the other way.
 

Alias’ Big Day

Alias had his annual visit to the vet. He was peacefully napping in his cat bed when I rudely snatched him up and pushed him into the carrier. He quite loudly voiced his displeasure the entire car ride and continued that in the lobby as I checked him in. He passed the exam with flying colors. Unfortunately when we got back home, Norma didn’t like the strange scent and hissed at him (and Kenta too). She did that after Theo’s many visits to the vet last year. Glad Alias is a healthy boy.
 

Belarus

This is Belarus. He lives somewhere in California. I found him on Instagram right around the time we welcomed Kenta into our home. He has similar fur to Kenta’s but he’s cross eyed. I find him endearing.

Some Assembley Required

Alias somehow has become disassembled. 
 

Disruption

I was at an out of town conference from Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon. I had a new food lady stop by daily. I was impressed that unlike other food ladies who have visited, this time Norma came out right away. The past few times Norma would miss a meal or two before coming out. My housemates have quickly learned what the suitcase means as all three were anxious when they saw it.

There must have been some bonding going on in my absence because yesterday morning, the three played together for the first time ever. Alias tried wrestling Kenta and chased him all around the room. Kenta was more interested in what Norma was doing, playing with a cat toy. Later in the afternoon the three all took naps with me, Kenta on my chest and Alias and Norma on my legs. That’s the first time the four of us took a nap together. 

Mentor

Kenta keeps a close eye on his brother. Alias has taught him so much.
 

Multi Talented

Norma demonstrates how to snuggle and stretch at the same time.
 

Loveliest Thing Around

Alias’ super power is his likeability. Norma, Theo, Kenta and the food guy love spending time with him. He’s curious, playful energetic, calm, and loving. He has a lovely soul.

 

Legacy

This cat tree is where Thompson spent many a day, month, year. It’s Kenta’s favorite cat tree in the house. Wait until I open the window…
 

Political Career

 Alias is a firm believer of being equal parts handsome and cute. It’s a safe political position.

Home

Home is about comfort. I think Kenta is happy in his home.
 

Lined Up

Waiting for the food guy to get up and go downstairs to put out dinner…
 

Lap

Norma has discovered Kenta’s favorite place in the house is on my lap. She also knows that Kenta spends much of the evening looking out the living room picture window and that’s her chance to sit on my lap. So she does that every evening I’m home.
 

Bonding

Kenta loves his brother. His brother appreciates Kenta as well.
 

Stunned Disbelief

Don’t know what Norma said but obviously it caught Kenta off guard.
 

Shipping Norma

All boxed up and nowhere to go.
 

Great Weekend

Kenta and I had a great weekend taking a lot of long naps together.
 

Absence

I have an extremely busy schedule in front of me in Apri so my housemates will be spending more time alone than they’ve known thus far. I think they are more than ready for it.
 

Hairballs

Kenta’s hacked up a couple of hairballs recently. This doesn’t surprise me given his long fur and his love of grooming himself. I may start giving him that goopy hairball stuff and comb him more often. I did notice that after I removed the mass of the hairball he cleaned up the soiled carpet with his tongue.
 

Tunnel Vision

The new tunnel toy is a huge success with all three of my housemates.
 

Perspective

You know… I’ve  had a rough few years. And then I see this and I think, I’ve had a great few years with these two. I’m glad they got to know Theo. I’m glad they’ve accepted Kenta.
 

No Fooling

Saturday morning I was reading on my living room couch. Just as I was about to get up to grab some lunch, Kenta came over to sit on my lap. So I didn’t want to interrupt quality lap time. Four hours later we were still napping together, with me skipping my lunch. He’s such a cuddler. 
 

Weekend Plans

Norma is hoping for a warm weekend in front of the space heater.
 

Missed Meal

I went straight from my therapist’s office to the Timberwolves basketball game so I wasn’t able to stop home and feed my housemates their middle meal. I heard plenty about it when I got home after the game.
 

Kicked Out

Alias lost his place in bed.
 

Blizzard

We’re getting our biggest snowstorm of an unusually mild winter this week. It started last night and is continuing through tomorrow night. Alias and Norma thought the sky was falling.
 

The Culprit

The great toilet paper unrolling culprit was caught in the act. Since the first two incidents occurred I’ve been solving the problem by leaving the bathroom door closed at all times. This prevented a toilet paper shortage from occurring in the house. Yesterday morning I forgot to close the door after my shower. I went down to get my coffee and when I returned upstairs, Kenta was playing with a shredded roll of toilet paper on the steps.

I scolded him and told him toilet paper doesn’t grow on trees. But I guess in reality it probably does. 
 

Suspects

Someone has started unrolling toilet paper rolls. The obvious suspect is Kenta because this never happened before he joined us. I came home to a completely unrolled roll at the bottom of the stairs last week. Yesterday I came home and someone had shredded half the roll. Kenta isn’t the only suspect though. Norma loves to investigate everything in the bathroom.
 

Happy Home

Kenta is very fond of his brother.
 

Belly Rubs

When he wants me to rub his belly, Alias will do a tuck and roll. This is the beginning of that process.
 

Kenta’s Yoga

Nothing to see here…
 

Embracing Her Femininity

I think Norma has done a remarkable job in finding her way as the only female in our man cave. She forever holds her own.
 

Stand Up

Norma is the most vertical cat that’s ever lived in this house.
 

Common Connections

This was Thompson’s favorite place to rest. Kenta has discovered why Thompson loved it so much. Wait until it’s warm enough to crack the window open a bit.
 

DST

I didn’t know Daylight Savings Time began last weekend until Sunday afternoon when I got into my car and the clock was one hour behind my iPhone. I’m surprised Norma and her brothers let me sleep in. The predecessors in our house never would have let that happen.
 

Chillin’

Just a couple of bros hanging out.
 

Queen Sized Bed

Kenta doesn’t seem to mind at all that the bed may not be big enough for him although let the record show Norma and Alias have taken naps together in the same bed.

 

Angel

I told Alias he’s my little angel. He’s looking for his halo.
 

Kenta’s Sister

Kenta and Norma have an interesting relationship. Actually she likes to do the same thing to me, putting her paws under my chin.
 

Discovering Less Stinky Clothes

I was putting away my laundry and stepped away for 10 seconds. When I returned, this is what I saw.
 

Test Drive

 Alias approves of our new plush hut.
 

Remembering Theo

Norma shared this same space and warmth with Theo. I’m glad she’s now willingly doing so with her new brother .
 

A Winterless Year

We got snow Wednesday and it’s supposed to be over 60 degrees this weekend. Alias is starting to think Minnesota has the goofiest winters in the country.
 

Bus Stop

Kenta is fascinated by our neighborhood’s student bus pickup. He wonders when he will get to go to school.

 

Brothers

Kenta really likes his older brother. He often does whatever Alias is doing.
 

Once Upon a Time

Spent much of the weekend napping with the boys. Norma stayed upstairs by herself. I let her know I wished she had joined us. It’s been a while since she napped on my legs, tummy side up. I miss that.