I love Monday mornings around here because it’s the one morning that I get to spend time with my husband before he leaves for work…and the one time that I get to be entertained by the early morning shennanigans that are ritually played out while I’m usually at work.

This morning was no different from any other.  Mike opens a cabinet door to get the coffee container and…Plop…in goes a kitty!  He walks from the kitchen to the bathroom and…whoa…steps on Noodleman’s toy mouse!  From the bedroom I can hear the sounds of Family Life coming alive inside our home…”Noodleman, stop that”…”SpiceGirl, GET DOWN!”…”Okay, guys, I’m going to stop buying the good stuff if you’re not going to eat it!”…”Get your paw out of my mug!”…”Could you move your butt so I can open up the microwave?”…

Finally the noise level lowered so I knew the coast was clear.  Stretching contentedly, I got out of bed and put my robe on.  Padding out into the kitchen with the intention to make some tea, I looked to my left and saw both kitties happily eating their canned salmon, while, to my right,  my husband was removing his coffee mug from the microwave.

“More leftover ‘mud’, Honey?” I innocently asked.

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have any!” Mike grinned.  “This stuff will keep me going all day!” 

“Yeah…if ‘going’ means ‘to the bathroom’!” 

“Jealous…jealous…jealous,” Mike singsonged as he went past me into the living room.

Both kitties took this as their cue to stop eating and to follow after my husband.  After all, they like to be where the action is just in case any fun developes, with or without their help!

Mike had no sooner settled himself into his chair and taken a couple sips of hot coffee when Noodleman jumped up into his lap, expecting to be patted.  “Noodleman, get down!” my husband grumbled while pushing Mr. Affectionate back onto the floor.  “We go through this every morning, and you know you don’t get patted until AFTER I have my coffee!  Stick with the program!”

As I came in with my tea and sat down on the couch, I looked over at Noodleman and chuckled.  ”It’s okay, baby kitty.  Come over here and MOMMY will pat you!  MOMMY loves you!”