watching, waiting, and watching some more

Little Al is missing today.  Karl let him out early this morning.  It's shocking that he wanted to go out at all this time of year!  When we open the door for him in the winter, he usually stretches his neck out, sniffs a few times at the open door, and hightails it back inside.  We can see evidence (his tracks) that he went under our deck, but Karl checked for him at midday, and he wasn't there anymore.  We walked along the bike path and nearby streets, talked to three neighbors across the street, and sent almost every other neighbor a message on facebook to keep an eye out for him.  Whatever happened to him must've occurred shortly after getting out because he would never be gone this long when it is this cold out.  I'm hoping he's trapped in someone's garage, and will show up tomorrow.  I keep expecting to see him standing at the window with his claws stuck in the screen every time I look out the living  room window...

In other news, Albin is done sorting Magic cards after having one more sleepover.  Elise had some good long playtime today and yesterday--just what she needed.  We also did some art together.  Ever since she was wee high, any painting project she started ended up sort of like this:

(No, folks, those are not gloves that she is wearing.)