Pooky Goes Missing, and Other Calamities

Yes, it's true. Pooky has been misplaced. But before the bear report, several other occurrences deserve mention.

1) Trevor came in from outdoors very concerned about a newly acquired sliver in his foot. Luckily for him, Nolan and Ethan were nearby to offer moral support.
Nolan: "Don't worry, Trevor. Don't worry. It won't hurt, Stay still. Stay Still!"
Ethan: (eagerly) "Do you want me to hold him down?"
Nolan: "Don't you want the needle, Mommy? Don't you want the NEEDLE?"
Despite their help, the sliver was exhumed without too much trouble.

2) Lady Bird Beetles have launched a massive assault! After being nearly invisible for most of the summer, they are swarming on the sides of the house, around doorways, and crawling in and out of crevices. They are thick enough in the air that one can hardly avoid them when walking across the lawn. I HATE it when they get on your hair. And, they bite! Plus, when you squish them they stink to high heaven. I hope the farmers who brought them here to battle the soybean aphid are happy with what they have wrought.

3) I was sitting at my computer this morning when I heard a few sharp words and screeches from the addition. Immediately an upset youngster came in to plead of injustices performed. (No actual names will be given)
(crying) "Mommy, ______ HIT me!"
"Why did ______ hit you?"
"Because I hit _____."
"Well, why did you hit _______?"
"Because ________ slapped me."
"_________ slapped you? Why was that?"
"Because I slapped __________." By now my head is beginning to spin, and then "the other party" comes in. "Mommy, THIS is what happened....."

You know, "she whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed" doesn't sound so bad, anymore.
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DATELINE: IOWA

A medium-sized brown teddy bear was reported missing by a tearful nine year old, late Tuesday evening. The bear answers to the name of "Pooky," and was last seen clutched in the arms of a two-year-old sibling, who goes by the name of Trevor Hoyt. The bear's owner, Miss Carolyn, was clearly distraught at the thought of going to bed without her beloved comrade. It is even reported that Miss Carolyn's mother, Rebecca, (who goes under the aliases of "votre chère maman, " "Ma Hoyt," and The "Ma,") ventured out in the dark with a failing flashlight in two brief and fruitless searches for the stuffed animal.

A valiant attempt was made by older brother, Derek, who offered his own bear, "Pooky Killer," as a substitute for nocturnal snuggling. The offer was accepted and sleep ensued, but not before the shedding of more tears and longing looks out the kitchen window.

Morning light revealed no new evidence of the missing bear's whereabouts, despite a semi-thorough search of the house and surrounding grounds. The owner is said to be "bearing up" reasonably well, under the circumstances.

Investigators have received permission to tail Trevor Hoyt, who is considered a "person of interest." (Thus far, they have found his interests to revolve primarily around bugs and play-doh) Verbal questioning of the child produced vague, pointing gestures, but little in the way of tangible assistance. The tot is said to communicate with a unique gruntal language, developed only to the point of demanding sipper cups of juice and milk. The situation remains fluid.

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