{SQT} Wasps Came In My House!

1. Wasps Came In My House

The headline of this week simply must be about the wasps that invaded my house, my guest room specifically, meaning the room in which my precious baby sleeps in his crib.

They kept coming in . . . and coming in . . . and coming in.

It was like a horror movie: a horror movie about wasps in which a fluffy housewife screams and shrieks in fear while she has to kill them herself with wads of toilet paper in order to protect her children because her husband isn't even at home. (I mean, really, this is right up there with the tense scene when the Indians come into Ma Ingalls' home when Pa is gone and Laura is wondering if her mother is going to be tomahawked to death.)

I got the advice of my dad repeatedly--which kept coming back to "stuff the holes"--as he's been in the pest control business and owner of a successful pest control company in California for decades. We called out a local pest control company who came out the next day and treated.

We couldn't find a nest anywhere, which means they're probably just entering through a tiny hole somewhere and becoming disoriented. "Wasp spray" really kills only on contact with the wasp or nest, so there is no residual repellent effect. And, honestly, the pesticide that the expensive pest control company sprays is very likely the same pyrethroids that you're buying over the counter.

Chris and the pest control man each treated the windows with chemical, and the wasps kept on coming in.

WASPS IN MY HOUSE!

Finally, I stuffed every window crevice I could with Kleenex--finally following Dad's advice--and the wasps haven't come in again (thanks, Dad). So, if you come visit and see white fluff sticking out of my windows, now you'll know why.

In a coincidence, I've been reading aloud to Joseph and Thomas about wasps lately from Dooryard Stories by Clara Dilingham Pierson. This 1903 book is a delightful collection of anthropomorphic and educational stories of some animals, but mostly of birds and insects. Joseph is enjoying it so much that he begs for a second chapter each night.

2. The Feast of Our Lady of Carmel

Last week, we read again about the brown scapular, and on Monday, we celebrated the associated feast day with the aid of a box mix of brownie, a can of whipped cream, and the best caramel sauce I've ever tasted.

Dessert: brownies with whipped cream and caramel

3.  New Swing

Because we need more ways for our kids to do aerial acrobatics and climb stuff! And because Aldi's is selling these fun swings for a steal!

4.  Thomas' 3rd Birthday

We celebrated a few days early on the weekend (click here) and on his actual birthday. Since receiving this fireman's coat the weekend prior, he has been wearing it around the house daily. Thomas has come to believe that he is supposed to get naked before donning the coat, so if you spot a short flasher fireman at our house, you'll know who it is.

On Thomas' actual birthday, I took my younger four kids (the older being at day camp) over to a friend's home for a play date. They ate snack, played in the kiddie pool, enjoyed pizza for lunch, then cupcakes and our hostess even graciously gave Thomas a birthday gift.

Snack time!

Singing Happy Birthday to an overjoyed Thomas

Thank goodness for store-bought cupcakes and a husband who will pick them up for me

A new bike helmet in the shape of a fireman's hat!

Yes, we will tighten up the strap.

5. Latta Plantation Civil War Soldier Camp 

and Pioneer Girls Camp

Click here to read about the wonderful day camps attended by John and Mary this week. It was a wonderful experience, but four days of Chris and I juggling kids and who would drive the 45 minutes each way twice a day is enough and we'll go back to our homeschooling lifestyle now.

6. The Concussion That Likely Wasn't

On Wednesday (when I was going on three hours cumulative of sleep), Joseph (5) fell off the playground swing hard. After dusting him off and drying his tears, he seemed fine till about an hour later when he told Margaret (7) that his head hurt and he wanted to lay down. She took him upstairs on her own, tucked him in, brought him water, turned out the lights when he said his eyes hurt, and read him a story. Only then did she come inform me, his mom, and I was quite worried about him having a possible concussion. He was tearful about how much his head hurt, and said he wanted to go to sleep, and his words were mumbling.

Having gone in for concussion scares several times, part of me wanted to rush off while part of me wanted to stay home, since the treatment for most head bumps is to lay restfully in a dark room, which Joseph was doing already.

Cutting to the punch line . . . I woke Joseph from his nap within an hour to check on him. His headache was gone and he was speaking clearly.

My joy came from witnessing the tenderness shown by Margaret, who was so worried that she would not leave his side and set up a nest on the floor by his bed. Later, they were back to fighting like cats and dogs, which is when I knew everyone was okay.

Keeping vigil by her brother

7. Fishing Tournament

John greatly enjoyed participating in a fishing tournament with a half dozen boys this week.

For more 7 Quick Takes Friday, check out This Ain't the Lyceum.