Many of you know that for the past few weeks we have suffered with a wasp epidemic in and around our home. What a bother since we are in the process of selling our home and the nests weren't discovered until the inspection. After looking for the nests, and finding that they were in the wall behind a water spigot and up in a roof socket, we decided that instead of tearing town walls and ceilings we would call in the experts and have them take care of it. What a JOKE!!! If you live anywhere in upstate NY, I recommend not going with Orkin unless you ask before hand if they have a fogging machine that they can easily get their hands on. They did estimate at $100 cheaper than the local exterminators so we figured "Orkin is the big name" and we went with them.
They came out two weeks ago for the first time. It was a Friday. The guy who came had just graduated College so he was young, but he was really nice. He told us that they had this great machine, but since he couldn't get his hands on one, he would put some dust up in the holes, and 95% of the time it kills all of the bees. He applied the chemicals and told us that we should call him back in 2-3 days if we still saw activity and if that was the case then he would be down in Syracuse on Tuesday and he would get a machine and bring it back to treat our home again.
Later that day, we found 80-100 wasps in our basement which is actually our family room. Luckily, Bryan was home and he came and saved the day by sucking them up into the vacuum cleaner. We figured yeah the nest is gone we are good.
On, Saturday, we had an activity at our church and so we were gone all morning. I was supposed to join some friends for a girl's movie day, and I was excited for it because it is one of my favorite chick flicks (Pride and Prejudice the 6 hr. version). We returned home, and I went downstairs to get something and there were wasps EVERYWHERE!!! Literally. Luckily, they were congregating more around the basement window and so Bryan went down and began fighting them again etc. He counted 253 that day. We called Orkin and low and behold, they were closed on Saturday afternoons and they wouldn't be available until Monday. BOTHER!!!!
All weekend, we suffered with wasps in and out of the house. Usually 10-16 and sometimes a few more or less. But, I wouldn't let the kids go and play down stairs alone because I was so paranoid.
Monday came along and I called Orkin again. They told me that they would get back to me with a date. They didn't call so I finally called back that evening, and they told me they were still trying to schedule a date... HELLO!!! Just schedule one I thought.... I can't remember if the guy who did the treatment called me that evening or the next morning, but finally they got back to me. I was told that he couldn't get a machine and so he would come out with a more powerful powder. He applied it once again and then left, and I was already skeptical.
So, last week was LONG!!! We had our appraisal and I kept praying that no wasps would fly down right when he was walking through. I don't know if any did or not, but we did find 6 right before he got there. I was so annoyed.
Through the week we had 1-3 each day and gradually we had fewer and fewer until we had 2 days of none and then finally this Tuesday we had 2 inside again and several outside. Because the outside was still VERY active 10-12 at a given time, I called Orkin once again and this time I wasn't as nice as usual. I told them that they needed to make it work because I had paid good money and I was tired of having wasps come near my children.
So, yesterday dawned, and low and behold Brad showed up, and he actually had a machine!! Miracles do happen!!! YEAH!!! He the hose in the holes for 2-3 minutes each and several wasps were swarming him. When he left, I took the last 2 cans of wasp spray that we had, and I went crazy on them. The cool thing is, we haven't seen any wasps since. Now why couldn't they have just done the job the right way in the first place?????? Oh my!!! So, my advice if you have wasps is to find an exterminator that has the fog machine and will use it right away. Oh, and have it treated when you see the first wasp!
This is A by the lion area. It is funny to hear the kids say what a Lion says especially J becuase he gets a deep throaty roar. Very manly!
The kids liked the peacock. I couldn't get them to look at me so you just get their backs, but you can tell how enthralled they were. I think they were just excited that the animal was actually near the glass since many of them were too far away for them to find.
We were able to see the elephant show. It was cool to see them do their tricks.
Here they are both sitting up. I was surprised that they seemed so small.
Here one is standing on its head and the other is standing on the hind legs. It is a mother/daughter team. 
J finally looked away from the elephants in order for me to get a 2 second picture. He is getting to be such a big boy.
This is Haylee and J. We had to strap him in to keep him from running off, and she just had no desire to walk. I wish the stroller was big enough for me =)
Here are the kids at the penguin pool. They absolutely loved watching them swim by! A was really excited when they would come up near the glass, and J just danced.
A's Grandma sent her some money for her birthday, and she bought a doll that sucks on a bottle and then cries when the bottle is taken away. J loves to play with it, and he is so cute with it. I had to ask B if it was okay for J to play with a dolly. . . I figure it is good practice for the sibling coming in just a few more weeks.
Here J is feeding the baby. He is so attentive that it cracks me up.
Now the baby is crying so he is hugging it to make it feel better. He'll hug it and then start rocking it. Very cute!! Who says that little boys can't play with dolls?? Maybe it would be good for him to have a little brother so that he can have some more testosterone in his life.... Heaven forbid if he gets any more girls who like pink and dolls =)
