Be afraid. Be very afraid.

It's 6 am. 

It's a rare day without school or other appointments requiring an early rising.

All alarms had been turned off.

The goal was to enjoy a much needed sleep in. 

As I said, it was 6 am.  

The abject panic in his shrill and piercing scream woke every member of the household.

"It's a RAT!  I see a RAT!"

It has been almost 5 years since our previous rat experience.  Whittaker was only weeks old. His terrified screams sent a panic into me.  We had spent much time and effort rat proofing the house after our previous encounter, how could this be happening. I don’t think I can handle this again. It's time to move. 

Where don't rats live? 

Fortunately moving was not necessary. It was simply a mouse the cat had brought in to show off that they still had good mousing skills . 

In Whittakers own words, "Moppet kitty caught the mouse and brought it in the hall and cut it open and the red guts spilled everywhere.  I am going back downstairs to watch Caleb get rid of it.  Mummy, do we like rats, yes or no?"

I suppose it's one way to start the day.  You really can't go back to sleep once your adrenaline has been manipulated in such a manner.

Cooperism - Packing List

Channa dropped Cooper off for the week as usual and asked if there was anything she needed to remember to pack for him since he wouldn't be home again before the upcoming trip to Disneyland.  He whipped up a little reminder list for her.

1. stuffed animals (Cheese and hiss) names of favourites... the rat and the snake
2. two fresh outfits (underwear included) unlike the outfits where they aren't included?
3. snacks (choco bars, ect.) I suggested an apple.  He told me his mother would handle the snacks, thanks.
4. extra blanket (says utah) for cold nights we convinced him the weather would be SOO much warmer in California
5. push-up tools
6. exersise stuff  his therapy of the last 4 months had exercises including push ups... we determined it might be odd in a carry on for the flight, so he had a slight reprieve from certain exercises.  The trip was getting better and better sounding in his opinion.

I used to like bubbles

In a panic, the bathroom door was flung open.  The fact that someone was already in the room didn't even faze him.  He practically leaped out of his clothes and onto the toilet in the backwards fashion that he prefers in one single motion.  Apparently he needed to go.  

Cooper was just washing his hands and I was leaning over a bucket of hand wash laundry in the tub.  We were unfortunately privy to a most disturbing personal conversation and confession. 

"My pee is making bubbles. Oh!  These bubbles are hot when you pop them!"

EWWWW!

Cooper was outta there fast!  I tried to discuss the reasons we shouldn't pop pee bubbles... but I'm just not convincing I guess.  I tried the tactic instead of INSISTING on proper hand washing after using the toilet. 

Eggstra dilemmas

Now that the spring like weather is upon us the ladies are sharing their appreciation in the form of daily eggs.  Which although we graciously accept.  We currently can not eat enough to keep up with production, nor do we own enough cartons to contain our eggcitement.  (Since we do not purchase eggs, we rarely have cartons, and when we sell eggs, what few cartons we acquire rarely if ever are returned) 

Looking for alternative egg holding and transporting devices.  (The green eggs could go in easter baskets I suppose.)  As I type there are 13 dozen.... yes 156 eggs... give or take an egg or two.  

Spring Suits

Who says dressing boys isn't as fun as dressing little girls!?

Such Dapper Dans.

China or bust

The sandpit has long been the favourite 'toy' in our yard.  Lately the thing to do has been to dig deep holes.   I assumed they were heading to China.  

Patrick took one look and wondered if we should panic that they were putting in foxholes and a trench so close to the house.   He figured the attack would be imminent.   My seasoned knowledge of sand pit play responded that the attack would be later and much more silent.  The worst attack is when they arrive at the door cold and hungry and then they come in... that's when they truly attack!  The sand they track through is worse than any bombs or typical warfare. 

Good thing they have fun out there.  Best is that I know how to counter attack.

Just hand them the broom and dustpan with a smile.

Bedside Manner

Cooper and Duncan have been working on their first aid requirements for scouts.  They've covered most of the requirements, what to do for nose bleeds, bee stings, burns, small cuts, how to prevent infection and how and when to administer CPR.  This evenings class was about bandaging.  They had been paying attention and practicing wrapping different bandaging techniques on each other and it was time for showing the instructor what they remembered.

The instructor would tell them what injury he had sustained and then they needed to select the correct bandaging technique and administer it to him.  Meanwhile, the instructor was playing the part of an injured person... complete with moaning and complaining.  This was rather distracting for Cooper who was concentrating on trying to complete his tasks correctly.  After a few minutes trying to figure out how to attach a sling to this moaning and rather large man, he looked straight at him and said,

"Listen, I can just as easily break something else as I can fix you, so be quiet would you!"

Next weeks lesson, the importance of keeping your cool in an emergency.

Gang mentality

I watched this great youtube video with the 10 year old boys.  Afterwards, Cooper commented on what nice young men they must be to give girls such a great message and to go to all that effort to put it into a fun song.  I asked if he thought he'd like to grow up to be such a nice young man.

His response, "Well I have been thinking what type of gang I'd like to form, and now I know I'd like it to be this sort of gang.  I think it would be a good opportunity, to be a part of a nice guy gang."

Double yolker

Some ladies are over achievers.