All noisy on many Fronts

Since it's been almost 2 wks since I've posted, I thought I'd get you off the edge of your seats by filling the posting box with a few random items you've all been wondering about.

• On the Dead Mouse front: Unfortunately I cannot report success. We caught one mouse on the first day of trapping season, and since that time, not one mouse has wanted our peanut butter. We've got sticky traps, spring traps, plastic traps, you name it. DeCon is the only thing we don't have because our baby is a little too adventurous to attempt that safely. Suggestions, anyone? I have to admit, it's really super-duper fun to live with my kitchen stuff spread out all over the house (so as to prevent having to wash them all again). Knives are in the laundry room in a box on the dryer. Cookie sheets? In my bedroom. Bowls? Top of the fridge. So every meal includes a scavenger hunt, which is really a hoot. Highly recommend.
• On the Boy #1 front: He turned 3 last week. He's too old. He can ride a bike. And he has more monster trucks, cars and other items with wheels than would seem humanly possible. BUT. He really does play with them, so I don't feel too bad. (Or should I?)
• The Book front: Just finished reading *The Ha-Ha*, as recommended by Lisa and jmbmommy (thanks). LOVED it. I was cautiously optimistic because the story seemed a little depressing, or maybe just frustrating. (The main character can't speak. I, for one, would call it a day if that were my situation.) But it was wonderful and uplifting, in an not-all-tied-up-in-a-bow kind of way. Great.
• The SAHM front: I am going to quit writing about that, because y'all must be bored of hearing it. I'm just going to have to find a way to get myself out of the tedium of days with kids ad nauseum ad infinitum. They are delightful, wonderful human beings, walking definitions of the meaning of joy. But, I need some growed-up things to do as well, as Boy #1 would say.
• The yard (back and front): I have really enjoyed working in our yard since we've moved here, because it was a mess and it was sort of like starting fresh. I've decided I like plants because they can't talk and when they are need something, it's usually water or fertilizer. I can handle that kind of simplicity.
• The sleeping front: I haven't had much because Boy #2 has decided that sleeping through the night isn't all it's cracked up to be. He's waking 3 and 4 times per night (I know there are worse, but...). So I have a new idea. I'll stop thinking about sleep during the day (I just can't nap) and I'll go to bed with the chickens to get my sleep at night. And I like emilyruth's suggestion of doing housework/chores/etc for 20 minutes and then feeling free to surf the net, blog, etc. Guilt-free my time. Like the sound of that.
• The kitchen front: (I'm sorry, I didn't realize how many facets to my life there are.) Anyone up for a Dream Dinners party (Jay Are, Lisa?)? My sister-in-law went and said it was actually great food and fun to have dinners planned... no decision making every night!
• And my final installment, The family front: We celebrated Boy #1's birthday over the weekend, which was a smashing success because we have a wonderful family! The only downer to the party was that prrrof's family couldn't be here... next time, we hope. But my parents are good fun to have around. They are so friendly, I didn't feel like I needed to escort them around and make introductions. My brother was really good with the kids, they loved him. All my inlaws were here, which in my world, is a good thing. Some people struggle to endure their in-laws, while mine are easily enjoyed. I love them, one and all. And I love how our families get along so well. I have *great* sisters-in-law who are always pitching in and helping or herding kids or whatever. My mother- and father-in-law help out however they can, and have great senses of humor besides. They are all kind, thoughtful and fun people. And no one competes for the love of the grandkids, which is just so nice. I can't tell you how great it is to see my own mom and my mother in law making plans to get together, just the two of them. They are friends. I am truly lucky beyond words.

So that sums it up folks. If your daily dose of Ambien didn't work, surely this did. Sweet dreams.