The Circle of Life-- A Hard Lesson

Jillian has been out in the field colleting bugs. She takes Lizzie and Erin, cousins Sydey and Sammy, and sometimes Kurt is in on the action. First they caught a grasshopper. Jillian did a bunch of internet research on the insect, and classified it as a "nymph with wings". They collected lettuce from the garden and cabbage from the fridge for it's food, and made it a home with grass and sticks in a bug-catcher (caddy with a screen). They observed the grasshopper "nibbling" it's food and sunbathing. The kids thought it was a darling little thing.

The next bug they found was praying mantis. It is a cool looking creature--about 1 1/2 inches long and white in color. It has been interesting to watch. If the kids got too close to it, they found the mantis would "swipe" back. They made it's home out of a tin box with grass and sticks and a hollowed paper cup. Jillian researched and found it is a "meat-eater", so she went to the hay field and collected aphids. This morning they watched the praying mantis eat the aphids!

Kurt caught a beautiful Monarch butterfly this morning. There was no place to put the butterfly to observe it, so the kids moved the grasshopper to the praying mantis' tin, and put the butterfly in the bug-catcher caddy. It was fun to watch the butterfly for a while (I made them release it because it was too pretty to be confined in a cage).

This afternoon I heard an agonizing scream. It was Jillian--she was horrified because her darling pet grasshopper was being devoured by the praying mantis. I am trying to explain to the girls how the praying mantis is helpful, because it eats the bugs that eat our vegetables in the garden....but all I get is anger from them.

Oh, the circle of life is a hard lesson to learn!

Needed Both Hands

The answer you have been all waiting for! On the back of the toilet! The carrier "needed both hands"...(and thank heavens for that, who knows what casualties my bathroom would have suffered if only one hand was in use)


Thanks for guessing...this was a lot of fun! Check back as I will post another guessing game soon.

Congratulations Cindy and Erica! The golden star is for you!

Needed Both Hands

My sister found this in my house. Can you guess where? Guess as many times as you need. Winner gets a "golden Star"

Island Park Slideshow

Island Park

The girls and I went and spent 6 days with my family in Island Park. Poor Bret and Kurt had to stay and "hold down the fort"...

Our week started with a reunion with my mother's family. The Rigby's hold an annual get-together. Even though we don't always attend, I am so happy it is a tradion! I loved visiting with my cousin's, aunts,uncles, and my Grandma Rigby!

We partied the remaining 5 days away with my brother's and sister and their families. With a total of 21 kids (ages 11 and under) and 12 adults, we managed to organize and have lots of fun! I have to emphasise, it took great planning sessions to figure out how to coordinate 21 kids and 12 adults! It is truely a miracle that we actually were able to do what we did! We took a day trip to Yellowstone Park, floated Big Springs, went hiking and hunting for bear tracks, rode 4-wheelers, late-night ping-pong tournaments, Wii tournaments, played games, made crafts, and the FOOD! Every meal was a lovely dream! Dad's cabin has a beautiful kitchen and it was fun to cook!

The kids slept in the Bunkroom--No adults allowed. If you can imagine, there are 8 sets of bunkbeds. 16 cousins slept together, quietly talking and sharing as they went to sleep. Families are Forever!

Cupcake Bites Collage

 

Summer Learning

Jillian and I have been doing some fun cooking this summer. I'd like to post some pictures and recipes. Jillian is a great helper...I can't fix a meal without her!

Check out our Cupcake Bites! My sister showed me the link for the recipe: recipe...http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/04/make-your-cupcakes-pop.html
This creation takes several steps, but the entire process was just plain fun! My whole family loved to eat them. It was a fun treat when Bret came home from a hard day of work.