The Squirrel Whisperer

Yesterday I was drinking my morning coffee, singing whatever song was just on the radio and walking into work.  Our building doors are in an alcove, so you aren't quite sure what you're going to see when you come into the area.

Usually I see some bugs, a soggy newspaper and leaves.  It's nothing frightening.  I realized yesterday it could be. 

My office is in a building that is part of a much larger complex.  We are surrounded by trees, flowers and wildlife.  A couple years ago we experienced wildlife.  A foul odor permeated the building for days.  It was the smell of death and a little something extra.  Apparently a skunk had crawled into the duct system and couldn't get out.  Add 100 degree temps and you get a science experiment that I never want to relive.

There has also been rumors of aggressive squirrels.  A co-worker of mine was charged by one as she was walking into our building last year.  While I think they're cute, I don't want to get close enough to one to test that story out.

You can imagine my surprise when I walked into the alcove yesterday to see this:

Let me enlarge it and make it blurry for you:

See that squirrel-rodent trying to get to work on time?  He (or she, I'm not sure I can tell) was trying to figure out how it got here and how it can get out.  I've seen these things scale trees before so I'm not sure why it couldn't scale the half wall right next to it that leads to freedom, but it couldn't.

With the story of my co-worker being charged by one last year and this guy (girl?) looking a little stressed about being trapped in an alcove and possibly having to work, I decided to back away from the situation.  With my luck he (she?) would charge and I would drop my new ceramic coffee mug and then where would I be? 

I decided to do what my aunt used to do with squirrels when I was little.  I'm not sure this ever worked for her, but I decided to try it.  I started making kissy noises.  Either I sounded sweet to the little guy (gal?) or he (she?) was planning to charge, but he (she? it?) started to come out of the alcove.  I started to back away, while making kissy noises.

I realize that anyone in the parking lot would've seen just me making kissy noises toward the entrance and think that it was some kind of new blessing one gives their office building or that I was not of my full wits.  I like to think that I now have a special gift with the squirrel world.  That little guy (girl?) will go back to his (her?) friends and tell them of this lady who makes a delightfully pleasing sound and saves them.

I'm like the squirrel whisperer.  I'm not entirely sure I want to test out my newfound abilities any time in the near future again!

We Were Blinded By The Light

This weekend we had temps of 80 degrees.  For two whole days.  Without rain!  It was like summer in June.  Who knew that could happen? 

I almost didn't quite know what to do with myself given that the Real Housewives of NY Reunion show was on and yet there was sun and heat and weeds that needed to be pulled.  I'm a cavegirl without a DVR, so I really do have to choose.  Until I checked our cable's On Demand section and found it there.  I actually thought my head would explode for all the awesome that comes from not having to choose.

Apparently the sun also spoke to N because he woke up on Saturday with a mission.  If I could I would insert the Mission Impossible theme here because his task was large.  He decided to organize the garage.  He not only did that, but went on a dump run with me, got things ready to donate and then washed his car and motorcycle. 

All we needed was a little vitamin D and we're like the Energizer bunny of chores. 

Sometime during the whole thing we got Zoe an upgraded car seat.  It's actually not a car seat, but a booster seat.  She can now buckle herself, climb in and out and generally take care of all her driving needs.  It's fabulous.  To say that she L.O.V.E.S. it would be an understatement.  She was like a 16 year old with a driver's license.  She wanted to go to the store for some bananas, drive up to the park and find any excuse to try out her newfound independence/big girlness in her booster seat.

Which came in great when we were asked to go to a park with a splash pad last night for dinner.  Zoe was in her seat before I could finish telling her we were going to the park.  Several families got together for a taco bar at the park and to let our little ones wear themselves out.  Everyone came in their swimming suits ready for some water fun at the splash pad.  When we tried the sensor thing, nothing happened.  The whole ground was wet so it obviously worked at some point, but not when 13 children were ready for some splashing fun.  We decided to eat dinner and play on the playground.

All of a sudden we heard, "it's on!  RUN!"  Only to arrive a mere 23 seconds later to the water stopping.  I guess when they say "splash" pad they literally mean a splash of water to trick your children into thinking it could turn on.  The kids loved it.  23 seconds of water is just enough to make puddles they can jump in. 

It's also enough time to trick parents into thinking they can get the sensor to work.  I think every one of us tried to get that sensor to recognize our presence no less than 4 times each.  I'm positive some county worker was in some building far away watching on video how dumb these parents were. 

I guess this weekend taught us a few things.  1) The sun's powers to motivate are huge.  2) Giving a child a booster seat can totally distract them from the fact that there are no cookies in the house and mommy is watching the Real Housewives for just a minute.  3) No matter how dumb you look or how much you know it won't work, parents will try anything for their children.

It was a good weekend!

We Caught the Fever

Several years ago I started taking a tap dancing class.  It was something that I always loved doing as a child.  Plus it was a really great way to get exercise and have fun.  I loved it so much that or a brief summer, I also helped teach the 3-5 year olds tap dancing.

About a month ago I started working with Zoe on tap dancing to see if it was something she would enjoy.  As you can imagine, she took to it like she had also already taught a 3-5 year old class.

Last night we went and registered her for summer classes and bought her official tap shoes.

They only came off when I couldn't get her pajamas on over them.  I think we have another tap dancer in the family.

This tappin' mamma couldn't be more excited.

She Even Has a Cape to Prove It

Yesterday Grandma took Zoe to the park to play.  While she was in the playground she noticed another little girl who couldn't immediately see her mommy.  What did my daughter do?

She jumped up next to the "lost" girl, put her hands on her hips and exclaimed, "Super Zoe, here to save the day.  I'll help you find your mommy." 

Then she went around to each lady at the playground, put her hands on her hips and said, "I'm Super Zoe.  Are you her mommy?"

I think next week we'll work on changing in phone booths.

Quarantined

The last week has been exhausting.  We've been running our own hospital wing.  Zoe had a stomach bug last Tuesday, which lasted exactly 18 hours.  After which she was a ball of energy that only 18 hours of rest can create. 

About that time I came down with a sinus infection.  I'm not sure what happens to other people when they get one, but I become totally incoherent, confused and a non-member of society.  It was like I was in my own world and couldn't get out, despite the fact that I knew I sounded utterly drugged.  It's a very odd feeling.  It lasted three days since I couldn't get into the doctor right away.

By Friday I was feeling normal, except for the pounding headache.  Which is exactly the time Zoe woke up gasping for breath.  Nothing will trigger a panic attack than hearing your child unable to breathe.  We ran outside to see if that would help and sure enough she was better.  We have officially experienced croup. 

I'm really hoping this week is better.  No headaches, no snot, no coughing and no puking.  Here's to health!

They're A Rough Crowd

This week Zoe and I have been sick.  Tuesday she went to the mall with Grandma and left a present for the next customer outside the Penney's entrance. 

Later that evening I started to think I was coming down with strep throat (turns out it was a sinus infection that has laid me flat most of this week).  Needless to say, we've been laying low and having loads of cuddles.

When Zoe doesn't feel well, she wants me to sleep with her for a bit at bedtime.  She gives me about three inches of space while she sprawls out.  Apparently, in my illness, I used up 3.5 inches instead of my given 3.  I woke up her pushing me into the wall and back into my space.

I took that as my cue to leave.  As I crawled into my bed, I drifted off to sleep, only to be rudely and abruptly awaken to the elbow that was shoved into my eye.  When I said "ow, that hurt" all N replied was "shhsh.  Be quiet." 

Fortunately they both had the deep breathing of REM sleep when they beat me up.  Otherwise it would be my turn next!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Every night before bed we say prayers with all our girls.  We usually go in a circle and each person thanks God for something and says their prayer.  D usually thanks God for the day and prays for some school assignment or test.  E thanks God for the day and then usually prays for some relationship in her life.  I love seeing how each of the girls prays.  It gives an insight into their world that we don't usually get to see. 

Several weeks ago Zoe was the show-and-tell person at preschool.  She took her bear Coco.  Ever since that day, her prayer at night as been:

Thank you for Coco.  I love her so much and cuddle with her.  Amen.

It always brings a smile because she's so sincere in her prayer for Coco. 

Lately she's been going impromptu with her prayers.  If you want to see the heart of a preschooler, get them to pray.  Last night, this was her prayer:

Thank you God for D and E.  And D and E, I love them so much.  Thank you for my mommy, my daddy and my Zoe.  Amen.

Thank you indeed.