Bedtime

I've taken to letting the Peanuts Gang run around the 2nd bedroom while I clean the bathroom in the mornings, and just before bedtime. They love having the extra room to run around, and it's fun to watch them scoot, dash, jump, and run into the mirrored closet door.

Last night I let them run around (I use their carrier to barricade the door so they stay in there) while I brushed my teeth and shut the apartment down for the night. Then I herded them back into the bathroom and got ready for bed.

They were crying.

It was pitiful. After a few minutes, I grabbed my book and went into the bathroom. I sat on the floor and let them swarm around me. They played for a few minutes, but it was obvious they were getting sleepy. Like little wind-up toys, they were slowing down and starting to droop.

I picked up Charlie Brown and cradled him in my arm. I made a pouch out of my pajama top and tucked him in. He drifted off into a blissful little catnap, on his back, while his siblings continued to chew on my toes and roll around on the floor.

If you've never experienced that kind of trust from a tiny feline, you're really missing out.

Before long, the rest of the babies were ready for some cuddles. The purring started. Snoopy and Lucy did some wool-sucking. (I'll just add here that both babies have only done this on me, and they truly just suck, not try to eat the fabric or anything. Millie's been doing this for years, and Harley does it sometimes, too.)

Finally, I scooped everyone up and put them on the kitty condo. There were some protests, but once I left the bathroom, I didn't hear any crying.