Karys, bless her heart, has had a serious issue with mosquito bites this year. She has been eaten up with them.

So we didn’t think much of it when she started scratching a spot on her shin a couple of days ago.

Then yesterday I noticed that an area about the size of a silver dollar - with the “bite” in the exact center - had turned really red and the skin in that area was hard to the touch.

Carmi’s mom took Karys to the pediatrician’s office this morning. Two docs consulted with each other and agreed that the bite is not from a mosquito but is, in fact, from a spider.

This photo was taken earlier this evening. Her leg already looks 100% than it did just 24 hours ago.

We snagged us a raccoon.

Carmi gave Animal Control a call this morning and they sent a guy over a little bit ago.

He said the raccoon looked like a younger one and didn’t act as though it was rabid so we just let it go.

Michael…thanks for the music.

Farrah…thanks for “the poster”.

What a bizarre day.

Eliana handled the new kitty a few too many times today.

Zane’s summer camp group went to Zuma Fun Centers today.

When I stopped by the school to pick him up this afternoon, one of the teachers walked over to us with a paper in her hand which was an accident report.

“Oh Lawd”, I thought.

She told me that Zane drove a go-cart at the amusement center. When the ride was over, he was supposed to apply the brake but… umm… he didn’t. He smacked into the pit entrance and received a nice welp on his forehead.

And this is the young man who keeps telling me he wants to drive my car?

Ever since we caught momma cat 2 days ago, we’ve seen no sign of the kittens.

Yesterday morning, the food inside the trap had been eaten and the trap had been sprung but there was no critter. So I put fresh food out and reset the trap.

This morning, I looked out the kitchen window and saw that, once again, the food was gone and the trap had been sprung. However, I still didn’t see an animal inside because of the way the trap was positioned.

Carmi and I scratched our heads. We assumed it was possibly a groundhog or maybe even a raccoon big enough for it’s butt to stick out the entrance and keep the trap door from closing.

I was getting Eliana and Zane ready to leave when I glanced out the kitchen window again and saw a huge orange tabby walking across the yard. Maybe he was the culprit?

Carmi and the kids were trying to see where the big cat went when Zane noticed something in the trap.

Carmi rushed outside and I heard her squeal.

I ran out to find this r-e-a-l-l-y cute calico kitty in the trap.

Carmi has always wanted a calico kitty.

Welcome to the family.