Due to a technological issue, this is a blog post from 7/22:

    Connor is way too excited about his birthday.  He has been talking about it since the beginning of July, and the talks are getting more intense the past couple of weeks.  The things he is saying:
"I am excited!!!"
"Mommy, can we have pancakes on my birthday?"
"Can we have the banner and many balloons for my birthday?"
"I love all different colors balloons, just no white and no brown."
"I like to have a cake, cupcakes and ice cream for my birthday".
"I like vanila cake, with chocolate and ice cream."
"Can we watch TV while we eat on my birthday?"
   Connor can go on and on about what he wants for his birthday.  Everything that happens is related to his birthday in his mind.  He talks about which pictures we should bring to his "Spotlight" at school.  He talks about the friends he would like to invite and where he likes to have his celebration.  He now had asked Stuart to print out a calendar, and every day he is crossing out and counting down to his big date. 

Due to technology issue, this was a blog from 7/21:

   Logan ended the 4th week of Galileo Camp last Friday.  Logan had become quite comfortable there, and had learned a handful of names from his team.  He brought home various projects made of paper, sticks, cardboard and he was proud to show them to us.  While he had fun at Galileo, Logan was more excited with the prospect Lego Camp this week, although he showed it in his normal subdued manner.

   Logan seemed interested when we talked about what he would be doing in the new camp this morning.  Once we walked into the school, Logan was drawn to the boxes of Lego pieces at the tables.  At the end of the day when Stuart and I arrived, he had several built cars around him.  Logan went to pick up his things to go home when one of the boys came over to ask if he was going home and he told Logan that he would finish building on his own.  The boy was very friendly while Logan only said “Ok”, but it was good to see that they seemed to work well together.  They built cool cruiser cars with remote control.  Logan seems interested to return the next few days to build more things.

    The house seems quiet without Scottie.  Stuart expresses that it feels weird and sad without his company during the day.  When Stuart hears noises inside or around the house his first reaction is that it is Scottie.  He also misses Scottie laying on the coach next to him when he takes his lunch.  I am sad that Scottie is no longer here when I come down after the boys go to sleep at night.  Scottie used to jump up onto my lap the very second that I sat down and I often had to move my laptop elsewhere to accommodate Scottie.  For dinner when we put ice in the kids’ water cups, we are still initially moving towards where Scottie’s water bowl used to be to share some with him too.

    The day when it happened, we were planning to have Stuart share the sad news with the boys at home after school.  But for some reason, while I was driving Logan home, he had a lot of questions.  It could be because I was recently gone to New Mexico, Logan started asking how old Gong Gong was when he passed away, then he asked about how old Stuart is now.  He then asked about me, himself, Connor and finally Scottie.  He continued to ask many questions about Scottie that I felt obligated to share the sad news with him, then Logan became quiet.  I asked what he was thinking about and he said “Nothing”.  After I stopped at the light, I looked back and saw that Logan was tearing up.  He said to me “Mommy I think I am going to cry”.  We talked about the reason he wanted to cry as he loves Scottie and he was sad, and I shared that I did the same and it was ok.  He then told me “I am going to miss Scottie”.  When we arrived at home, Stuart checked to see how Logan was feeling and he teared up again.  Connor came over to see the commotion, so we told Connor as well.  Connor’s eyes filled up with tears quickly and he quietly told us that he would miss Scottie too. 

    Scottie acted different yesterday; he did not meow to ask to come in in the morning, he sat on his blanket most of the day and he did not come stand by me while I cooked dinner.  Stuart then discovered that Scottie appeared to have lost his vision.  He was facing the wrong way on the blanket, walking very timid and bumping into things.  We carried Scottie to his water, food and potty, but he did not care to drink or eat.  We knew that his time might have come.  Stuart had gently given the boys a small talk last night about this to prepare them. 

     This morning Connor tried to get some food for Scottie to eat.  After I called in to work and dropped off the kids to school, Stuart and I took Scottie to his appointment at the vet.  The vet confirmed that Scottie had completely lost his vision from retina detachment (secondary to high blood pressure and his kidney problem).  Scottie was also very weak, and we all agreed that his quality of life without vision and hearing was very poor and it was time to let Scottie go.  The vet gave Scottie a sedative first and he immediately relaxed and stayed very still on his blanket.  We spent a few minutes patting him, then the vet returned with the anesthetic.  Scottie was such a fighter.  His heart took few minutes to slow down, but somehow it raised again; so the vet gave him a second dose, and Scottie then finally rested in peace.

   Scottie was a great kitty.  Dora, Gloria and I adopted Scottie from Dora’s friend when he was only several weeks old.  He lived at my parents’ house with us until both Gloria and Dora moved out, so I flew home to fly him back to live with me in California.  Scottie had been very adaptable and always adjusted quickly after the many moves I had over the years.  After Stuart came into our lives, Scottie had become Stuart’s officemate all these years and Stuart had always taken great care of him.   Scottie was very independent and was not a needy cat until he turned into very much a lap-cat 5-6 years ago.  We all definitely had our battles with Scottie as he bugged and annoyed us at times, but he was always here when we needed him.  We always felt privileged when Scottie chose our laps to sit on and we often fought for his affection too.  I always felt safe when I had Scottie nearby and seeing him sleeping calmly.  The boys like Scottie but usually the three of them basically did not bother each other much, however the kids did enjoy having Scottie sitting on them too.  Scottie was a big part of our family; we always had fun celebrating his birthdays and he was never forgotten during the holidays.

     Here are some assorted photos of Scottie; his size had changed a lot throughout the years.  Our 19 year old Scottie will always be remembered by all of us and I am sure by Gloria and Dora too.  His ashes will rest in peace in our backyard soon.

     Yvonne and I went to New Mexico for the weekend as it has been a year since my dad passed away.  We wanted to visit mom and see how she was doing cleaning out the house.  The trip served its purpose.  We spent a morning having a simple praying ceremony at the house for our dad and birth mom.  We then paid a visit to the temple where dad’s picture was placed.  Other than spending times with our mom during the weekend, we also hung out with our good friend Sidney and her mom, and had a dinner with the relatives.  Mom has done a great job cleaning out the house on her own; basically 90% of the furniture and belongings have been cleared.  The three of us spent few hours together sorting out the family photos and packing them to bring them home with us.  By Monday, all our chores were done and we were ready to go home.  One of my flights got cancelled but I was fortunately able to book the last seat of an earlier flight to return home while Yvonne’s flight got major delayed and she did not get home until very late.  However, both of us made it home safely and were happy to see our own families.

     The boys had a fine weekend without me.  After dropping me off at the airport, Stuart took the boys to Logan’s basketball game.  According to Stuart, Logan did well and was more engaged in the game.  He dribbled down the court fine and defended the opponent more aggressively.  After the game, they had a snack with the team, and then picked up lunch to have at home.  In the afternoon, Michelle and Ted invited the boys over to hang out with them.  I was told that Stuart had a relaxing time while the boys had a blast playing with Mckayla and Marcus.  Michelle also periodically texted me some photos so I could see the fun moments.  The kids told me that they had ice cream for dessert, and later they watched “Jack” (The Nightmare before Christmas).  It was a fun late night they had.  On Sunday, Stuart took them to play at a park in the morning and to the cabana club to play in the afternoon.  Monday morning everyone slept in a little bit.  Stuart then rushed through packing lunches and prepared breakfast for everyone, then dropped them off to schools as usual. 

     The boys told me that they would miss me a lot before I left for the trip.  While I was gone, I talked with Logan a couple of times while Connor got on the phone with me whenever he was available.  He often had so much to share regarding what had happened.  He also told me multiple times “I miss you so much!”.  Stuart told me that Connor seemed to be rushing through Sunday so he could see me soon on Monday.  After Stuart picked me up from the airport, we went to pick up the boys.  Logan gave me a hug as usual when he saw me, but at the moment, he had forgotten that I had just returned from the trip.  When it was Connor’s turn, he came over to me right away and gave me the sweetest smile and hug; he whispered to me “Mommy, you came back from the airport”.  When we were home, Connor brought me a card that he drew for me and he had to add “I made you a card, but Logan did not”.  Logan turned to me and said “I forgot”.  It was very nice to be home with all my boys again.

    Logan just finished his third week at Galileo.  He seems to continue to like it but again he has not reported much from the camp.  This week of camp was uneventful, except Logan learned a new hobby.  He loves playing with Beyblades now.  He has a few Beyblades that were given to him before, and he really enjoys playing with them.  Sometimes he even uses Lego pieces to make his own Beyblades and they work!  His interest has spread to Connor too, and Logan has been helpful assisting him.  Both of them want to take one Beyblade to school the past few days and they play with each other after school too.

    Talking about the summer camp again, here are the few notes we received from the team leader:

– Logan was great in science.  Our crane project was a bit challenging but he did not give up!

– Logan was the first person to finish his science project today and got a “high five” award!

– Logan is amazing.  He is collaborative, determined, visionary and kind! I love having him on my team.

     Another thing to mention was that Kira was in the same camp this week.  We had encouraged Logan to keep an eye for her and say hi if he sees her.  On Monday Logan reported that he saw Kira walking toward the performance area; he told us that he said “Hi” and nothing else.  But then Logan added “Kira looks like a princess”.  Aww!