Round One: Raccoon.

After 2 Debreziners, 3 oz of cheese, one cup of bird seed and a lot of excitement, the kind of whch you usually only see on Christmas Eve, this was the disappointing result.

Game on!

There will be no more broken bird feeders.
There will be no more dug up gardens.
There will be no more garage break-ins.

It's game on!

Shouldn't have left the sticker book out!

I am sure this seemed like a good idea at the time to her....It wasn't!

Safety First!

Safety First!!!!! 

Eastered Out!

The Rabbit came around today and left treats everywhere for the AllegroMouse. There were socks in the trees, dance leotards on the deck chairs, ponies on tree stumps and even Curious George was hidden in a tree. (Mine from way back)
It was a pretty good day for the mouse. She had a very busy day with Counsin Allison, Counsin Olivia Granny and Autie stopping by for Easter. It was all very tiring.
We had dinner at Grandma's and Apo's. we had way too much chocolate and passed out in the back seat for the car ride home. This made going to sleep tonight a little tough, but we managed.

We got to have lunch on the deck with our brother too. It was a all in all a pretty great day for the Allegro Mouse.
 

He thought I wouldn't do it!

 

I always thought I was smarter than the average bear...

then I bought one of these stupid "cook pasta in a tube" deals. Because the old way is so much work! Not one of my brighter moments...I have yet to discover what you can cook in this that in anyway tastes reasonably good. Look for it soon at a lawn sale in my front yard......

Putting Out Fires and Meeting Rabbits

This has been an exceedingly hectic week. I feel like I have been putting out one fire after another without actually finding out how the fires started in the first place. I have a huge proposal due by the 15th. I would really like to not have to work on Friday and actually enjoy a three-day weekend so I am trying my hardest to concentrate on this project and get it done byt 5.00 pm tomorrow night. Hopefully I can get a full day of concentration in all day.

The Allegro Mouse apparently had a mosquito in her room last night. She had nightmares all night long about "bees" biting her. When she woke up this morning she was covered in mosquito bites. She always has an allergic reaction to them and has to most horrible looking spots on her poor little body. Poor thing..... (She also dreamed that Mommy was making a mess in her room, but this means something totally different, I am sure. )

The Allegro Mouse went the the play group today with Cousin Allison and Baby Counsin Olivia. Accordning to Allison, we were very well behaved. Here is a little sample of her crafty work from the Early Year's Play Group at the Community Centre in Port McNicoll. I am so glad that she got to go and have some fun with other kids her own age.

She starts her dance group for 2-4 year olds next month. My mother signed her up for this. I can't imagine a group of kids this age signing up and doing anything together as a coordinated, choreographed group. I also never though she would ever sit still long enough to complete something like her Easter craft either, so I am sure I will eat my words again come dance class in May.

Easter is coming up quickly. We are not that excited about the Easter Bunny yet. We did have out picture taken with him at the Mountainview Mall. I am sure it was the same guy who was dresses as Santa at Christmas. I don't know why she would sit with the Bunny and not with the old man handing out candy but whatever.....

Her (half-)brother is turning 16 on Saturday too. I don't know where the time has gone. I remember doing crafts and fun things like this with him too. I am sure I could still get him to come over an cook with me. As long as his friends never found out! :) I did catch him helping her with her tea set at Christmas time.......

Friday is the day of renovations around our house. Allegro Mouse is getting laminate flooring. We went and bought the trim tonight after work. Wow! Things are moving along. Before you know I will actually unpack boxes from our move last year at this time!
Happy Easter Everyone!

Photos, Paintings and Bagpipes?

We hosted yet another art show this evening. I love the art shows. They are definately one of my favorite parts of working at the museum. This was a particularly special one since I have known the artists and their families for a number of years. It was like a reunion of old interpreters from HHP.
Here is a picture of Darren enjoying a conversation with our old French teacher from Highschool. He's kind of smiling in the photo, because I chose this moment take a picture to remember the evening and not any other suitable moment. Truth be known, my dark side chose this moment.....

Larry Ford let everyone in the immediate vacinity know that there was something fantastic going on at the Museum with some musical musings. I may make jokes about the bagpipes (for anyone interested I have a list of about 50) but kudos to Larry for finidng a musical calling and sharing it. Sharing music is such a personal thing. Bravo to anyone who has the confidence to be so public with something so personal.

We had a little over 60 people show up to take in the art show. Naturally the factotum extrodinaire came out to show off his new haircut. (see http://allegromousesnest.blogspot.com/2006/04/his-hair-is-just-like-astroturf.html) After clean up we all ended up at the local Kelsey's for a quick drink and then home. All in all a good evening. Now I need some sleep if I am to keep up with the Allegro Mouse tomorrow! 

His Hair is Just like Astroturf!

Chris came over for his haircut which we missed out on Saturday night. We had consumed a little too much mustard, so we all thought it not wise to attempt this under the influence of Dijon.

Anyhoo...looking good and ready for action again!

(His hair is just like really soft astroturf when it's cut this short!!) 

Hannah's First Attempt at Photography

She had to hold the camera upside down....but not bad for a first attempt. At least it's clear enough to be able to count the chins!! 

40 lbs, 38 inches.....3 years old

We took the Allegro Mouse to the Doctor today for her check-up as a brand new three year old. She was very well behaved considering the recent behaviour we have been seeing from her. She let our Doctor weigh her (just shy of 40 lbs) , measure her )38 plus inches), look in her ears, mouth, nose and listen to her chest. All without a problem. The eye chart was a little bit of a problem. She was really interesting in naming the mundane shapes down the hall. I did let our doctor know that she is fully capable of spying Nemo Snacks from 2 miles away, so I really didn't think that sight was in any way an issue. I did have to promise to practice those shapes with her so that she can maybe try the vision test again next time. We went shopping afterwards. She was once again a very well behaved mouse, which earned her a ball. As some of you may know, she did lose a ball at the Super Store for bad behaviour.

On other notes....Museum life is moving along, as it should. I have a number of proposals due in a very short time. Not to mention the report to a certain funder. We are currently working on putting everything together for that funder so that we fall into their good graces once again.

I am still recovering from last Saturday's Mustard, Beer & Haircut night! (Remember, Alex??) Every time I base a "get-together" on a condiment, things do not end well for me. I might even have to admit that I am not as young as I used to be.

Joe ( after a lot of mustard) ended up trying to lure the raccoon over who attacked our cat onto the deck with a debreziner. When the raccoon did come, Joe ran after him (even through the neighbour's yard) yelling "&$*# with my cat, will you!!" He put the debreziner back out onto the deck in hopes of bringing back the raccoon, but only succeeded in bringing a skunk to visit. This could have ended worse than it did......

Thursday tomorrow! Hurray! That means only one more day until the weekend. I will be working on Friday Night for Darren Todd's Art Show. This should be a fun evening. I love the art shows. Anyhoo....Take care anyone who is reading this. Drop us a line. Come and visit or whatever!
N of AMN

Joe Hates this Cat

Every night Joe says things about J.C. like:
"I hate this cat" "He's all over me like a soup-sandwich" "If you were getting a cat, couldn't you have at least picked one with a brain?"
Yet here he is with JC everynight....in this very position.....

This cat also became a very expensive cat recently.
Cost of Cat from Pet Store $17.99 plus tax
Special Cat Food Since his arrival in our house 4 bags @ $14.00 each
Litter Box, Cat Treats, cat Toys, Cat Dishes $35.00
Shots for Rabies, Feline Leukemia et cetera $80.00
Kafuffel with a Raccoon on the back porch FREE!!!
Vet Visit, Anesthtic, stitches, antibiotics, "don't gnaw on the stitches collar" and what the hell let's neuter him while he's out: $237.00

Pets need a healthcare plan too!