My sister called me up one fine day and asked if I’d be open to housesitting her cats for a night.

Jolly good! I replied. Just as long as I can bring my entire family of five! Because I’m terrified of sleeping alone and at least one of your cats hate me!

Having no other choice, she let us in.

We greeted the first cat, Toaster, who let me know right then and there she wanted nothing to do with us.

We checked on the other two cats. This one, Franklin, thought it was his mommy coming through the house. He was shocked and dismayed -shomayed, really- that it was not his mommy but two full grown adults with three very, very excited children who love a good fluffy cat.

He took off and hid himself in a pit of despair somewhere.

Finally, we found Mouse. (Don’t you love their names? 🙂 )

Mouse is a bit of a broken kitty. She drools and likes to whistle in my ear. But she’s also so sweet and was thrilled at the sudden companionship.

The cats were fed, bathed against their will, and sent to bed. We sent the children right with them. That night ended up being a pretty rough one. This was the kids’ first time sleeping at Cami’s new home and they woke up repeatedly through the night in a little fright. Taylor eventually slept with them on the ground. Taylor’s sleeping form on the floor was a delightful discovery for Mouse. At least once an hour, she snuck over to him and gave him a few pats. When he purposely ignored her, she gave a good screaming yowl and ran away before Taylor unsheathed his dark side.

By morning, we were all feeling a bit disheveled from lack of sleep. We still wanted to make a fun little staycation out of housesitting for my sweet sister, so Taylor went out to buy a “fun cereal”.

Here’s something you should know about Taylor & sugar. He’s awful about it. Not because he consumes so much of it, but because he thinks it’s “evil” and “makes people sick”.

It’s your attitude that’s making us sick Taylor!

Case in point: this was the “fun” cereal he brought home. It’s literally the exact same cereal we have at home, but with paw patrol donning the box cover.

But really, I can’t tease him too badly, because the kids were THRILLED about the decor. Turns out he knew what was best anyway!

Then we set out for a fun morning in Provo!

The first stop was to a free dinosaur museum we’d learned about the night before. (Utah is covered in dino fossils and relics.)

I thought the kids would be thrilled outta their butts looking at the fossils. Instead, they were pretty scared of them. And truthfully, so was I. Do you see that alligator skull above? Now look at this fear mongering sloth.

TERRIFYING.

Little Arrow requested to be pushed through the remainder of the building with her hands covering her eyes.

It was a pretty cool museum though. Definitely recommend!

After the museum, we made an emotional recovery stop for a donut snack at the BYU Creamery. Arrow still hadn’t recovered from the museum. Also, another thing to know about Taylor & sugar: he’s a total prude about it unless the sugary delight is donuts or pie.

With a couple hours of the morning still to use up, we made good use at a local park. We spent hours here.

Once the morning had ended, we checked on my sister’s kits once more. Mouse was thrilled. Toaster was angry. Franklin was shook to see me again.

Then it was finally home with my own dear kitty.

Thanks for letting us housesit for you, Cam!