What’s That Smell?

by Abby on March 26, 2012

What stinks?My 3yo son has the nose of a bloodhound. At least 5 times a day, he scrunches up his button nose and says, “Something stinks!” Since he is (still!) not fully potty trained, I usually reply, “Maybe it’s you.”

Often the culprit is his older brother – what can I say? Boys are stinky – but sometimes it’s trash that needs to go out, the dog’s breath, my cooking, or an aging banana forgotten at the bottom of the fruit bowl. I know what you’re thinking: how is it possible that Glade is not sponsoring my blog?! And where is your invitation to our next dinner party?

Now that spring is in full bloom here in Baltimore, my son’s olfactory awareness has kicked into even higher gear. Pungent blooms are bursting from trees and shrubs in every yard, forcing allergy sufferers indoors. And the mulch – oh, the mulch! Even *I* think that stuff smells like vomit.

Sometimes Riley’s smell-tacular talents get me into trouble. Like one time when we were getting ready to leave the house, and while searching for my keys I discovered half a pack of Skittles in the depths of my purse. Not wanting to alert the troops to this treasure, I quickly sneaked a handful into my mouth. What? I have a sweet tooth! And I need all the energy I can get to make it through the day with my 2 Energizer bunnies.

Anyway, there I was, chomping down my Skittles as nonchalantly as possible as I bent down to help Riley tie his shoes. He paused, then stuck his tiny, overly-sensitive nose into the air. I froze. He sniffed. “Mommy, what’s dat smell?” Sniff, sniff.

“Um… what smell, sweetie? I don’t smell anything.” LIAR! Karma is going to kick my…

“But Mommy, I smell somefing… It smells GOOD. It smells like…” He kept sniffing. I was starting to sweat. I knew it was only a matter of seconds. His big brown eyes zeroed in on my pursed lips. “What’s in your mouf, Mommy?” BUSTED!!

“What? Nothing! Get your shoes on, it’s time to – “

“Open your MOUF, Mommy!”

At this point, the jig was up. I burst out laughing. I couldn’t keep up the ruse any longer. Besides, that little sugar fiend would throw me down and pry open my mouth if he had to. “Here, buddy. Have a couple Skittles.” Mom of the year, right here.

What can I say? As my husband has pointed out many times, my boy gets his uncanny sense of smell from me. I can detect a carton of milk at the exact moment of spoilage from 2 floors away. I am painfully sensitive to strong cologne, bad air fresheners in taxi cabs, and my husband’s basketball sneakers – even if they’re in his gym bag in the hall closet.

Next time I’ll have to get my Skittle fix while the little bloodhound’s at preschool.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Ali March 26, 2012 at 8:11 am

Better make sure none of your house guests let out a silent toot when he’s around. He’d surely call them out on it.

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Kathleen Basi March 26, 2012 at 9:13 am

We keep smelling dog doo in our house, and we cannot.find.where.it.is.

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Nadine Feldman March 26, 2012 at 10:29 am

I have a nose like this, and I wish I didn’t!

Hilarious post. Gave me a big chuckle on a Monday morning.

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Malia March 26, 2012 at 5:05 pm

My 5yo is our bloodhound. She’ll call me out for using a “yucky” type of cheese while dinner’s still on the stove. 🙂

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