A Tale of a Groundhog

In mid-March, Adam came home from work (before me, thankfully) and noticed a groundhog lying by the garage door of the house.  He attempted to get it away from the house, then quickly pulled the truck inside & closed the garage door.  I cannot even describe the kind of excitement and commotion it created for the kids. 

Vera went to work collecting data about groundhogs in her notebook.  This "nonfiction" book is her reference for all things groundhog.  Her notebook reads "Grondhog.  Speed sloe."

Meanwhile, Vince removed all of the pillows and blankets from his and Annie's bed, and then fashioned this "step" so he could climb on his dresser and see out the window.  The groundhog made his way near the flagpole and the kids couldn't see it from the front window.

Annie, his true sidekick, came to his aid.  He sat at the window and screamed, "Hey groundhog!  Look at my teddy bear!"

We phoned our trusty neighbor, Jeff, who came over to get rid of the groundhog for us, as we don't own a gun.  I wouldn't let Vince watch, and he was not happy to come down from his perch at the window.  After the incident, Vince was so sweet and concerned by asking, "Where him family?  They miss him.  Where him mom and dad?  Him sister and brother?  He lost."  We assured Vince that by putting the groundhog in the field, his family would find him and take him back to his home.