Squirrels

We have a family of squirrels living in our attic. Well, to be more accurate, I should say that we had a family of squirrels living in our attic. There is only one of the four left (that we know of!). Today we caught two at once! Lovin' this Havahart trap! I called Animal Control to see if they would trap the squirrels. After a lengthy list of all the services they provide, they dropped in the price: $269!! Whereas we might pay out the nose for some services for convenience sake--though off hand I can't think of what--, we opted for the do-it-yourself route in this case. Derrell is getting quite a thrill out of trapping and disposing of them. He's a real mountain man at heart. It's a bit scary initially retrieving the trap because you never know how the squirrel is going to react. Wouldn't want to get bitten! For fear of traumatizing the girls, he does it all behind their backs. But E.D. really wants to be a part of the whole process. There's just something special about a man and his son ridding the cave of unwanted varmints... :-)

Unhappy Baby

Today my baby hasn't been herself. She has been hit by allergies, and now she has a fever! Unfortunately, no matter what I do, she remains miserable. I had to just let her cry it out in her crib tonight. It breaks my heart to see her so sad because she is usually such a pleasant little girl.

L.L. is also having a not-so-great day: accidentally tripped by her older sister when they were outside, put down for a (once in a blue moon) nap by mom, accidentally scratched by her brother while he was swinging his arms around, allowed to run through the sprinkler then complained that it was too cold. The life of a four-year-old.

On a brighter note, today was a "stayed completely dry" day for N.E.!! Even when we ran errands and had to use THREE different public bathrooms. There's a story all in itself. Imagine, if you will, a small--the shopping cart doesn't fit in--bathroom that doesn't have a baby changing station. What to do with the baby while assisting the 2 yo on the huge toilet? Leave her in the cart outside the bathroom? Yeah, right. Hold her so she doesn't get close to the absolutely disgusting floor? If I was an octopus. The solution is not too difficult, actually. The 4yo gets to hold the door open, so I can help with the potty and keep the baby in the cart and see all the children at once. What 2yo wants privacy, anyway? It gets better though when I have to use the bathroom myself. When I was younger, I honestly never thought about praying for the safety of my children while using a public bathroom.

Caterpillars Beware

L.L. is fascinated with the hundreds of caterpillars that are in our yard. Here she decided to collect as many as possible. She gathered almost thirty! I figured it was pretty benign until she tried to smuggle them inside the house in her pockets. Thirty fewer moths...

Mean Greens

While making lunch today, N.E. commandeered the half-full can of green beans. With a mouthful, she proclaimed, "MMMmmm! I love these mean greens!"

Can you guess what our 2 yr old is learning to do?

Skittles work! I am not above bribing my children to get desired results. N.E. is so proud. She got to pick out new panties ("Dee-Dee-Dora"), and when we are home she keeps those panties dry 90% of the time!

Happy May Day!

The kids are excited to take fresh flowers to our neighbors for May Day. I love the spring from a distance. Yesterday I did some yard work, and ended up paying for it all night. Eight sneezes in a row isn't normal or comfortable! But the yard looks better, so I guess it's worth it...

A shot of our cute little baby--OK, so maybe she's not so little anymore.

Here's Our One-Year-Old

Granna, Grandma & Granddad were all able to be here to help A.E. celebrate her first birthday!