Christmas Bells and Sparkle Balls

This is the weekend we normally set up our Christmas tree, but with two little monkeys in our house,  we may just have to wait until they're gone before we do.

We've had many Christmases with kittens, and we certainly know all of the challenges that brings!  I hate to delay the decorating, but I think it's better if we do. These guys are climbers, and I'm afraid they'll just go straight to the top of the tree.  They like to chew on things, too, and don't want them ingesting or destroying any holiday trimmings.

Out of all the Christmases we've spent with cats and kittens, I think the year with the Loudermilks was the best.  Remember the kitten bell choir?   I love this joyful moment so much.



Do you have a good "Cats at Christmas" story to share?  Did kitty knock down a tree? Eat Santa's cookies? If you've got one, we would love to hear it, so share it in the comment section, please!

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Yesterday, we got a big shipment of Sparkle Balls, and they've been added to the SHOP.   We've got more of  the usual colors, and I've brought back the wintery mix of blue, silver and green, and added more Christmas packs, too.  The extra-large sparkle balls were delayed a bit, and they should be arriving by the middle of next week. I'm sorry all of the large are currently sold out! The very second they arrive, I'll get them listed and let you all know.

We're doing a holiday special in the store today, and if you spend $25 or more, shipping is free! Just enter the code "CATALOONS" when prompted at checkout to take advantage of today's deal. The offer ends at Midnight tonight, so please don't delay!  I'm sorry international folks, but this is for shipping within the US only.

Visit the IBKC store HERE.

Have a great weekend, folks!  Be sure to watch our Instagram feed for more of Poe and Marigold!

The Top Ten!

Today we have the final installment of our fifty most popular IBKC posts.

Wylla kind of dominates our top ten. I suppose of all the kitten stories we've told, she's had one of the more interesting tales.  I think we all just got pretty invested in the girl, so her posts always got lots of comments, questions, and concerns.

And you'll see a lot of our sadder moments, too.  I was hoping they wouldn't all fall towards the top, but they did.  Even though they do stir up some tears, it's not a bad thing to read those again. It's good to see the nice, comforting words, and I like seeing our community coming together.

I had a great time revisiting some of these most memorable of our memories. I hope you enjoyed our top fifty, too!



#10 Queen of the Couch
This video of our bouncy little Bibi Winkler was a huge hit and it had many views and shares.  It bounced around the internet, too, and brought us lot of new fans.



 

#9  It's Official 
Three cheers for Wylla Stout! Here's the day she officially became "ours". We were all filled with joy that day! I still am!



#8 What's Up With Wylla
It was such a huge relief when we finally had a diagnosis for Wylla.  It wasn't the greatest diagnosis to hear, but her condition wasn't life-threatening,  and we were grateful when we learned that we could manage it.  Step one was teaching her to eat vertically. Thankfully, she took to that right away.

 Oh, and that wee belly of hers!!




#7 Oh, Christmas Tree

The reason why this video has some many views may be because of me! There's nothing I love more than Christmas and kittens and I'm sure I've watched it a squillion times.
 

#6  I'm calling sixth place a tie. The introduction of Tressa Lovejoy got two more comments than Wylla's introduction, but Wylla's got many more views and shares.   Both are ridiculously adorable kittens and worthy of their ranking!

OK, Are You Ready? 



  The Floofiest Friday Ever! 



 #5 What's Happened and What's to Come
I think this was the hardest post I've ever had to write. It was most definitely the hardest day in all these years of fostering. But we got through it, and everything worked out.



 #4 One Tear-Filled Tuesday
Oh, Jerry Lee. Seeing your little face sill makes my eyes well-up, and I know I'm not alone. This was a hard day for all who were following the IBKC at the time.



#3 Sadness, Hopefulness

Sad, indeed. His passing was so unexpected. We're so, so very thankful that his sisters survived.



#2 A Very Sad Day
We were lucky to have so many amazing years with our dear Little Drewey Junebug. When we said goodbye, you said some very lovely things.



#1 Wee Wylla Won Our Hearts
Our most popular post was one of the happiest days of my life -- the day we decided to keep our dear Wylla.  It's funny to think about what we thought we were getting ourselves into at the time. We were a little worried and we anticipated a life of challenges. Our path started off rocky, and it was hard and confusing to navigate at first, but a couple of years down the road, it all smoothed out and we ended up with our healthy girl.

A Favorite Christmas Memory

I can't believe it's December 11th, and I don't have a tree up, or a single holiday decoration hanging. It's been so hectic with seasonal craft stuff, I just haven't had a single second to dedicate to such matters. I have one big event this weekend, and once that's over, the boxes will come up from the basement, and I'll get cranking on the Christmas decorating. I honestly can't wait to get started, and make the house all shiny, sparkly, and festive.

The cats will be excited. They find the decorating process fascinating to watch, and of course all those boxes make they deliriously happy. The tissue paper is fun, too. Cats do love Christmas!  

Of course, this year we won't have to fight to keep kittens out of the tree - I will miss that battle.

Ah yes, kittens and Christmas trees. Remember this magical moment with the talented Loudermilks beneath the tree?  It was priceless.

More Jingling Bells

I keep playing this video again and again because it makes me happy.    

So I'm posting it again,  because maybe it makes you happy too.

Happy Christmas!

SOMEone's Been Chewing on Ralphie's Whiskers

 OK, Boys. Someone has been chewing on Ralphie's whiskers and it needs to stop.

The little lad needs them to navigate through this world.



I have my suspicions, and I am hoping the guilty party will step forward.

 

Was it you, Clive?  Come on, it WAS you, wasn't it?

NO, I swear it wasn't. I love my brother, I would never do that to him. 



IT WAS ME!   I CONFESS!  I DID IT!!!  



And I feel horrible about it.   I'm sorry, Ralphie. 



I swear it will never happen again. 

And don't worry.  They'll grow back.   

Leisurely Loudermilks

Hanging together, hanging with Bean...

Loudermilk Holiday Portraits

OK kittens, gather 'round the tree! It's holiday portrait time!!!



I don't think we'll be getting wallet-sized prints of this one for their Christmas cards.



Come on, boys.   Look this way, let's try it again.



A little better, but how about a little smile.



Clive, your smile seems a little insincere.  One more please.



Much better.  Thank you, Loudermilks.  

Now let's put on our coordinating holiday sweaters and try it again.   Who wants to wear the elf hat? Ralphie?  

Oh, Christmas Tree. OH, Christmas Tree Pt 2

When I was nearly done decorating the tree, I sprung the Loudermilks from their room.   Once again, the curious boys crept into the living room to take a closer look.

They pawed, batted and sniffed while Charlene supervised from a nearby chair.



While the boys were engrossed in the tree, Charlene leapt from her perch, landed just inches away from the Loudermilks, and scared the bejesus out of them.



They quickly recovered, and went back to business.



Later that day, while I put the finishing touches on the tree, I was treated to this lovely holiday kitten concert.

For crazy little kittens, they keep very good time, don't you think?

PS In unrelated news, I'm going to temporarily turn on "comment moderation".  I've been getting too many spammy comments, which is driving me bonkers, and I need to try to discourage that for a spell.  Once things settle down,  I'll switch it back.    

Oh, Christmas Tree. OH, Christmas Tree.

Last night we put up our Christmas tree.   The kittens were tucked away in their room when we brought the tree inside, and once it was in set place, I released them.

They raced out of their room like they always do, and once they spied the giant green monster in the corner, they dashed right over to examine it closely.



With their necks stretched, they carefully sniffed the branches.  They cautiously pawed at the tree and once they figured out it was nothing to fear, they parked themselves in front of it and batted away at the branches.









 Boing.  Boing. Boing. Boing. Boing.





Once the thrill of the bouncing branches passed, they discovered that wresting under the tree was really fun too.


After a few matches,  I tucked them back in their room so I could start decorating the tree.

Tomorrow I'll share with you some footage of the kittens exploring the decorated tree.  If we make it through the season without a broken ornament, it truly will be a Christmas miracle.  

OH, boy.

Four Little Loudermilks All in a Box

Four Little Loudermilks All in a Row

Distinctively different,  but equally sweet.

 From left to right: Cyrus, Clive, Ralphie and Graham Loudermilk.

The Return of the Kitten Whisperer

Mr and Mrs Kitten Whisperer (my parents) are here for the holiday.   Of course, the Loudermilks took an instant liking to my pa.

He's a very popular perch.