Tadpoles

While in Arkansas we picked up some tadpoles. 17 actually. My uncle had a kiddie pool on his back porch. He lives in the country and the frogs thought his pool an excellent place to breed.  We selected a few tadpoles from all stages of development (along with some mosquito larvae) and brought them home in a jar. Luckily we had a small cage that would be perfect for their home.

It was very exciting when the first ones legs popped out!

 

After a while our frogs became thin and hungry. I convinced my young ones that the animals would be better off roaming the front yard then starving in a cage. It was with some tears that we opened up our cage. The frogs were relived and ready to escape. It didn't take long before they were camouflaged among the greenery.

We had these fabulous creatures since Labor Day. I was getting tired of cleaning their space, I thought, wouldn't be it great (big smile!) to let the last few tadpoles go into the wild. We went to the nearest pond and released the last 4 or 5 fellows.

There weren't any tears at this release, but that could be because we are getting butterflies next. Metamorphosis in its many stages!

that's just a toy!

I went to make a bath for Macey. Our tub tends to collect dust and whatnot so I was rinsing it out first. The cup I picked up had a small red octopus in it, unbeknownst to me. So when I dumped it out I said, 'Oh, there is an octopus in the tub!' I then continued to rinse the tub and Macey yelled, 'No, mom! It is just a toy. Stop! Don't wash it down the drain. It isn't real!' She was very agitated that I would try to get rid of her octopus. So, be aware. The sea life you find in your tub isn't real... no need to panic and rinse them away.

Preschool!

Macey is a big girl! She started preschool this week. She goes 2 days a week 9-2. I now have time to blog, clean house, and run boring errands and not feel guilty about ignoring or dragging sister along.
Dan is on a business trip this week, so he had to video chat before school to wish her good luck.

She had to wear her new school dress. I'm not sure it is appropriate, but she was happy. And she didn't come home covered in paint, thank goodness!

Miss Kathy is her teacher. The school is next door to the elementary school, so it is in walking distance. The school is part of the ministry for the church it is housed in. I love that Macey will learn Bible stories and songs.

You can't start school without a cool backpack or lunchbox.

Today Macey scootered over to school. She is getting better and stronger riding it.

Here is a pic of Macey and Sophie in class. I know they'll make other friends and learn a lot of new things together.

End of August adventures

You know how I try to be a cool mom. I'd like to think that even though I am strict and demanding, that I can be fun and adventurous. To prove my awesomeness I asked the boys on the last week of vacation what was one thing you really want to do before they go back to school. Ryan picked going bowling. But you don't just go bowling in North Texas. You go bowling, arcading, laser tagging, and snacking. They had unlimited bowling and laser tag. Each kid got $10 in arcade money. It was half price arcade game day!!!

Each boy brought one friend. Alex brought Andrew, aka Flash.

Gabe came with Ryan. I love that Gabe wore his awesome free marathon PE t-shirt. Ryan insists on also wearing this very awesome shirt in public. In contrast to Gabe's cool shirt, is Ryan's field day shirt. Nice yellow, no? I know that Gabe's mother and I do buy nice clothes for our kids. I guess we should only invest in fundraiser clothes and hope they get a free PE shirt every year!

So... I brought Macey. She and I did not bowl. We hung out and played and colored. She was a good sport. I think she would have liked to bowl, but I wasn't up to it. We did play a lot of arcade games. she got some awesome prizes. We also had a yummy lunch and ice while waiting for the boys.

 

 I can't remember who won now that it has been a few weeks, but they all had fun. The boys played 4 games of laser tag. And everyone got a large haul of cheap toys from the prize counter. It was Great!

Alex picked eating frozen yogurt bar at Racetrack for his final hurrah. Considerably less exciting, but nearly as expensive!

I am coordinating DI at Wyatt this year. I made this rather bizarre display. There was an instant challenge on it. Minion Challenge: try to get the minion as far from the pole as possible.

The boys had a some great solutions.

I wish I had thought of this for sneak a peek at school for the kids to get interested in DI. Maybe next year...

Macey and Sophie eating pretzels at Target. The girls love cinnamon pretzels!

Over Labor Day weekend Dan went to his fantasy football draft in Phoenix and I took the kids to Arkansas. Interstate 540 is the most beautiful road! I love the vistas and the gently winding roads. While in AR we visited my mother, some old Bentonville friends, and my uncle's family. It was a short trip in time, but long on distance. I am glad to be home and not have to travel for a while. :)