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Goodbye to Trappy (updated)

June 26, 2006

The saga of Trappy

A while ago, probably at least a month or so, I would say, we noticed one day a wasp buzzing around in the space between our window and our screen. Not just any wasp, mind you, this was a seriously big ugly wasp. It was fascinating to watch, but I was sure glad to know that it couldn't get out into the room, since the window was closed. I figured that it must have flown up there at some very weird time just as we were closing the window and we had just been too clueless to notice. That was about as much as I thought about it.

Then, a few days later, I noticed another wasp there. Now this is summer time, not to mention our bathroom so obviously there is a lot of opening and closing of the windows, so I didn't think it could be the same wasp and thought, wow, what a coincidence that there is another wasp stuck in our window. Upon closer examination, however, I discovered why this wasp was spending so much time in this spot--she had built herself a little nest up in the corner!! Again, you must remember how seriously scary this bug is--over an inch long I would say, mostly black but with some ominous stripes on her back. Long spiny legs and big black antenae. And a BIG, clearly visible stinger. A wasp that would send me rushing back into the house hustling all members of the family if I saw it near me outside. But, of course, we weren't outside and it was kind of cool to be able to safely see such a fearsome bug at close range. Trying to take advantage of this 'teaching opportunity' (as well as to keep her from freaking out if she saw the bug later) I called Ella in, as well as Jamie, and we all checked the wasp and her little nest out.

To be cutsey (and, again, turn the fear factor down) we decided to name it. We all had suggestions but Ella's idea, Trappy (because she's trapped, of course) was a classic so we went with it. I figured that, since she was trapped after all, Trappy's time with us would be short and we left things as they were, with the caveat that noone was to open the bathroom window. We did some research on the internet and figured out that she was a paper wasp, probably the Queen (Ella loved that), but that without any worker wasps to feed her nest, things would not go far.

Well, fast forward a month and Trappy is still with us. At this point we figure there must be some way that she can secretly get out of the window (although I'm darned if I can figure it out) since there are periods where we can't find her at all, not to mention that over the course of a month she doesn't seem to have slowed down a bit.. On the contrary, if anything she seems fiercer then usual, and also seems to still be adding to her nest. At times we've even seen her tending to the individual egg slots in the nest, although we can never tell exactly what she's doing. In any case, heartless creatures that we are, the bathroom at this point is starting to get really muggy and, after countless rainstorms and hot weather, has a definite mildew smell. In short, the windows need to be opened; we NEED some fresh air in here pronto. Jamie got some wasp spray and left it in the bathroom and later I told Ella, quickly and honestly what it was for. She took it very well; I guess she had been suspecting this would happen sooner or later. She knows that wasp nests don't last at all if we find them outside and I have always been honest about what we do to them (kill them, so they can't hurt us). So today Jamie screwed up his nerve, opened the window a few inches a sprayed the bejejzus out of that place. Poor Trappy never stood a chance. May she rest in Peace.

Passport

Well, that was a sordid little tale, wasn't it? What can I say, things are really kicking here at Chez Bonnie. In other news, Ella is now the proud owner of her own pass port. Although I am barred from cruise ships throughout the third trimester of my pregnancy, Ella will be going on my family's annual trip at the end of July with my mom. This is a great opportunity for Jamie and I to have some last minute alone time and I know Ella will have blast with my mom, not to mention all her cousins. I am actually jealous as h*ll, I am a little embarrassed to admit, but very happy for them all too.

In any case, she's never had to needed a passport in the past, despite cruises to various parts of the Caribean and Mexico, but I decided it would be best to get one anyhow, since she's getting older, the world is getting more stringent at the borders, and especially since she isn't going to be with her parents. The process of getting her passport wasn't easy, since BOTH parents have to take the child and show their own citizenship and the hours our local post office had for processing passports were the exact same hours Jamie worked. Eventually we did find time, however, and all the forms, including the original of Ella's birth certificate (which I was very uncomfortable with) were sent off.

As promised, four to six weeks later her pass port came in the mail. Can I just say, I think it is the cutest thing ever. It's not a great picture of Ella (well, she looks cute in all pictures, who am I kidding, but it's not one of her best) but she looks very earnest in the picture. Mostly though, it's just adorable to see her sweet little cheeks, big blue eyes, and wispy hair in such an official document. Plus I made her sign it (as the passport stated, 'Not valid unless signed') and again, the earnest sweet scrawl just melts my heart. Jamie and I figured out I was 19 and he was 31 when we got our first pass ports--such a world traveler we are raising!

 As always, thanks for reading,

Bonnie

PS--Finally, I am practicing putting pix into a post.  Below is an old picture from this spring.  For the record, Ella chose the outfit