Backyard Squirrel Nut Zapper

Sometime post lunch with taquito in hand, Miss Monkey tosses an experimental bit on the patio for Sir Squirrels.  Finding that Sir Squirrels apparently enjoys said taquito (weird), she ventures inside for more options, thinking to bait him even closer to the house.  These squirrels I'm already aware are too comfortable around the patio, one in particular venturing up to the window screen itself on more than one occasion.  Either they've been fed here before, or they're doing recon as the previous inhabitant's dog moved with them.

Mommin'tuition sets me upstairs as she's making her way outside with three fresh apples.  "Um, no, sweetheart, we're not feeding the squirrels fresh food meant for us. I'm not comfortable with them that close to the house anyway, love."  Of course, there's a "Why?" and I render a short explanation of rodent cousins and disease.

She finds some stale something or other and ventures back outside.  A little while later though I hear a vehement, "NO!  STOP IT!!" as if she's speaking to a person.  Glancing outside I spy her looking up into the nearest tree with desperation, "GIVE IT BACK!  Stop!!"  A long streamer of red sparkle yanks up into the tree as she reaches for it.  She hops a little in her frustration and confounded with her options.  "MOM!  The squirrel has my streamer ribbon!"

At first, I'm not really sure what to do, I've no inclination to chase a squirrel to retrieve a dollar store toy, and these are truly natural consequences.  (acknowledging gratitude for base of knowledge not to rescue her)

Eventually, after having the streamer revoked Sir Squirrels gnaws other random kid-detritus then retreats.  Miss Monkey returns concerned she's contracted some disease having touched what Sir Squirrels mouthed.  She takes direction cleaning herself thoroughly and sets about creating a squirrel trap.

The following morning a few hours were totally dedicated to trapping Sir Squirrels.  A wire filing rack was converted with mini bungees and fake flower bait, and a rubber duck dog toy (??) for good measure.  It was such a great simulation a dear friend actually asked to borrow it!

Always an adventure.

Breakfast with squirrels

Recent crafts, Enki & others

We gathered the sticks and then F made a house with them, complete with Darth Vader, Luke, Fairies, and Storm Trooper.

I actually remember making stick houses as a small child, this was very comforting and fun for me as well. 

Bird Feeders with pictured items, easy enough for Toddleator to enjoy crafting as well---when she wasn't licking her fingers of peanut butter, eating the old cheerios, or trying the millet.

We hung Toddleator's where she could see it from the window.  The challenge to tie it where squirrels wouldn't reach was impossible, to my mind, without a tall ladder, more imagination and much much more yarn.  Unfortunately, Miss Monkey spent this as "bedroom time", unable to participate until much later that day.  Squirrels got all three feeders we put out.  Squirrels!

Old crayons + flower shape silicon muffin baker = gifts (or new crayons!)

A morning of sewing felt, and we have the ingredients for Stone Soup, which we then had fun acting out.

Early year doldrums

Ho-Hum the dol-drumms. This is the time of year when the post holiday doldrums set in. I feel somewhat restless, want to travel, probably just suffering some withdrawals from all the holiday treats. Not much to do other than plug along day to day. Traditionally the slowest time of the year for retail and restaurant industries ('cause I used to work for them). Maybe that's why Valentine's Day has become such a commercialized "holiday"? Desperate retailers trying to inject a little more cash post holiday, pre-memorial day?

Every now and then I think about getting a part time job, but mostly what I want to do would involve a certification, or more education, so it's all sort of in limbo. I've attempted to get a couple part time jobs, but so far no one is interested in my long past service industry experience, or my more recent over-/under-qualifications. Now I am in that gray area, too experienced for this one, not mastered enough for the other one. Give it up to god-the-universe, it must have something else planned for me.

Fiona has a fever today, 101.5 topped out when the medication has worn off, I'm still considering taking her to the doc. Fevers don't bode well for social interaction, so we're house-bound for the most part, no gym-time for me until Gary is home from work. I've a looong workout today, and I hate to miss 'em since I've signed up for the 5430 Series. I tend to give myself a hard time missing workouts, it's early yet though---I have to remember that. Maybe I'll get some housework done? *snerk* No really, I do need to get some housework done, and I will....soon. Plus there's the other pork-ham-roast-thing from The Colossal Christmas Shank I plan to roast today. Fiona's not too bad off, her behavior is next to normal, she's a bit listless with the fever, but certainly hasn't lost the knack for tantrum-ing in proper form, her appetite is fine, and fluid intake appears normal. Hence, my being on the fence regarding trekking to the doc---it's just a fever. (knock on wood)

The other day we put Bark Butter on the trees out back (Thank You Miss M!). ONE fat squirrel ate ALL of it I think---very possibly the same squirrel that munched on the dinosaur (see archive). The birds hardly got any it seemed. Little Girl got a kick outta spreading it on the tree, and hung around the back door for a while watching the critters attempt to sneak some tasties from The Fat One. There's a bit more, maybe butter the trees again today.
So it goes. :D

Squirrel v. Dinosaur

I glanced outside our kitchen window and see this outer-Denver squirrel working over a small item out on the deck railing. Not a nut, it was taking too long for Squirrely to munch....

Look closer, look even closer...it's bright green...it appears rubbery...it's a tiny lime green squishy dinosaur, the club tail species with armored head/neck/back. Squirrel-NUTtykins is doing his chewiest chewing to detached said tail from dinosaur.



And then later, I suppose Chewy needed a breather.... (and some Toddleator finger painting at the end---not with the squirrel)


I've forgotten to relay (without the proper segue it's useless), also, that I saw a squirrel last winter drag an abandoned dessicated hamburger up a tree...it was after the first snow, Fiona & I were on our way to Music Together class. Tres Bizarre.
A few minutes later I checked the squirrel-chewing-dinosaur status, both squirrel and dino had vanished. A day or so later, Fiona comes toddling up, "foundt dinosaawer mommie!" Of course I immediately washed it as best I could until such time as lime-green dinosaur could be spirited away without conflict.

Speaking of dinosaurs, we hit the Nature & Science museum a couple of weekends ago, and the Gem & Mineral Show. Fiona had a ball checking out the great displays at the museum and just as much fun gathering up crystals, looking for fossils, and panning for gold at the Mineral Show.

Beware the SQUIRRELS

After I swam today, I ran the footpath around the park with Fiona in the jogger. As is our habit, we visited to playground so Fiona can get her wiggles out & have a snack. I like the park here, there are always other little ones about & moms to talk to.
At one point I glanced back at my super-kewl baby jogger and there were squirrels hanging onto it...climbing on it, trying to get into the netted pockets on the sides! A chubby little girl ran screaming at the jogger, the squirrels bolt, but then come right back. Chubby-girl repeats screaming attack with same effect, but squirrels only move away some then stand their ground, beady eyes gleaming for the next bit of fodder. Now, I'm not afraid of small rodent-like animals--I once had a rat, yes, a RAT as a pet--but there is something creepy about a squirrel bold enough to attack a plastic bag for a cookie, then stand it's ground and look at you like you're the one acting nuts. As we were leaving the area, I saw the remainder of Fiona's cookies, still in ziploc, in the tiny grip of a tricksy squirrel.

Miss Fiona likes to put socks on her hands, it very important that a sock is on her hand at least once a day for a little while...I'm guessing she's practicing putting them on, it's just the wrong appendage.

And if anyone is wondering, that's a brand new sponge...it's amazing what will keep a toddler occupied for half an hour.