Regular Haunts

Ollie has a few "hot spots" around the house that he likes to check in with from time to time. His haunts, shall we say. He's got a little circuit, even.

Empty the toy box in the kitchen. Stand at back door and make mouth- and tongue-prints on the glass. Scoot kitchen stools to the other side of the room.

Move on.

Check to see if the door to the upstairs is open. (Behind that magical door await all kinds of off-limits goodies: cat food bowls, trash can, and STAIRS!)

Nothin' doin'. Off to the dining room.

Maneuver between the chairs and under the table. Step over the cross-bar that runs lengthwise under the table and back out between the chairs.

Into the living room.

See if there's anything good on the end-tables. Perhaps half a cup of cold coffee to tip over or a few magazines to litter about. Ah, success!

Attempt to flip down the panel along the bottom of the gas fireplace.

Try to unplug the carbon monoxide detector.

Circle the ottoman at least twice.

Run fingers up and down the air-intake grate.

Cruise down the hallway.

Is the bathroom door open? 'Cause you know there's ALL KINDS of mischief to get into there...but, nope, Mom's made sure that door is shut. Drat!

Moving on...

Ah, there's big brother playing one of his favorite games: Building a precariously rickety tower out of Jenga blocks in order to knock them down with a tennis ball.

"I'll let him be...this time!"

Turn right at the end of the hall into Mom's office "nook" (a little space under the stairs that connects the hall and the kitchen). Pull the cushion off the chair. Drag the wrist-rest off the desk. Reach for her keys, hanging temptingly from their hook, which is juuuust out of reach!

Back to the kitchen.

Pantry door: Closed.

Pots-and-pans cabinet: Locked.

Knife drawer: Babyproofed.

"Man, these guys are good."

Loop completed. What next?

Do it again.