The Calvinator

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< > December 2007

• Wed, Dec 5, 2007 10:00 PM

  Mouse Poop
  
  So... we're back. We got back Saturday night after sitting on the Minneapolis runway for 2 hours in a very small plane before finally taking off. We went across the ocean for just under 2 weeks and came back to snow & ice. Thanks, America.
  
  Once again, we were complimented by several people on Calvin's behavior on the plane. I don't know whether to be more proud of my son for his good traveling skills, or ashamed of my own behavior in contrast to his. I can't even use the excuse that I always seem to be seated behind the jackass who absolutely MUST be in the recline position during the entire international flight. I'm just a cranky-ass traveler.
  
  But the reclining jackass definitely didn't help. Nor did the 2 queens who sat behind me on the return flight; they who were unable to use indoor voices or just SHUT THE HELL UP for 5 minutes. But I digress.
  
  Reclining jackasses & loud queens aside, both flights were pleasantly uneventful. Even though Calvin had this uncanny ability to fall asleep ONLY during the final 8 minutes of the flight, he did just fine with his games, cartoons and drawing notepads the entire time. He was so excited to see Opa & Oma & Bart & Maaike by the time we landed, we nearly had to sedate him.
  
  He bowled them over with hugs & smooches and immediately forgot he had parents (and bedtimes and rules, for that matter), but it was vacation, and there are no parents, bedtimes or rules on vacation, so it was ok.
  
  By the time we got to our little vacation house we were using our thumbs to keep our eyelids open and paper towels to control the drool. Joep's family was nice enough to let us crash for a bit before heading to their house, so we all took the opportunity to reclaim at least some of the 7 hours we lost somewhere over the Atlantic ocean.
  
  The rest of the time was spent just being with everyone; meeting up with a few family & friends from last time and plenty of LEGO time between all boys involved (Opa included). There was much watching of the Curious George DVD (much to Maaike's dismay), lots of monkeying around (literally, with Uncle Fritz)), many peppernuts & yogurt consumed, and way, way more spoiling than is possible to document. Basically, Calvin's own little utopia realized. Especially the spoiling part.
  
  When it was all said and done and it was time to come back, it felt like we'd just gotten there and it was sad to leave already. Looking forward (hopefully) to a possible visit next year made it a little easier to say goodbye this time around.
  
  Until we got home, that is.
  
  While we were gone, despite my glaring "NO SOLICITORS" signs and just general un-hospitality-ness, a wee mouse decided to take up residence in our kitchen. And by "wee", I mean, large enough to have his own hairy area code. And by "take up residence", I mean, threaten what's left of my sanity.
  
  This was discovered sometime Sunday morning while I was blissfully unaware, picking up some shampoo & whatnot at Target. It is now Wednesday and it wasn't until around 2:00 AM last night/early morning that this outlander was forcefully evicted from our home and sent packing miles away from our house; all while blindfolded so he couldn't find his way back.
  
  But not before destroying (and pooping on) some innards of our stove/oven and making lunch out of an extension cord. Stoopid rodent.
  
  So that's what we came home to. Mouse poop and paranoia. Oh, and 3 cats who aren't really cats in the whole "catching mice" sense.
  
  Which reminds me, anyone interested in 3 non-cat cats?

  Comments:

  Bart:  It was great seeing all of you!! Tiring, but still too short. Indeed, the thought of a visit next year made it easier to say goodbye!
  
  Seen any black peters since you're back in the US? ;)

  Mary F:  Kathleeen, I tried to delete and start over my comments and this is what I got. SOrry to screw up your journal...With your know how, you can probably fix it. MORE>>>>>PICTURES ARE GREAT AND I LOVE THE WILLOWS NATIVITY.....L,MF SORRY!!!!!

  MaryF:  Kathleen, I have read other things from your journal, dating back to when you were writing mainly about cats.The articles are hilarious and you are sooo talented. . If you don't write a book soon, complete with pictures, you are crazy. I know you will come up with a great title. MF

  MaryF:  Kathleen, I have read other things from your journal, dating back to when you were writing mainly about cats.The articles are hilalrious and you are sooo talented. . If you don't write a book soon, complete with pictures, you are crazy. I know you will come up with a great title. MF

  MaryF:  Kathleen, I have read other things from your journal, dating back to when you were writing mainly about cats.The articles are hilalrious and you are sooo talented. . If you don't write a book soon, complete with pictures, youare crazy. I know you will come up with a great title. MF

  MaryF:  Kathleen, I have read other things from your journal, dating back to when you were writing mainly about cats.The articles are hilalrious and you are sooo talented. . If you don't write a book soon, complete with a great title. MF
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