Pre-Lesson

Cory is going to start taking H to swim lessons, so we are going ahead with the getting used to goggles phase.  He is also practicing putting his face in the water to grab quarters.

Don't you love the fit of these goggles?  I love the folded ears.  

All Together Now

Our fifth PLB'Fly (Painted Lady Butterfly) emerged from its chrysalis on Saturday afternoon, and now they are all together in their little home.  They eat a lot--feasting on their fruit, flowers, and a recently placed bouquet of leafy bush stems knocked down by the hail storm.

They truly are amazing.  Besides the meconium, they also start out in shades of mostly black and grey, but then their bright orange colors become prominent after just a few days.  They also seem to grow in size and definitely in strength and activity.  I get the feeling that, if I started blasting "We are Family," they would squeal and gather in an obnoxious circle dance.

We have been discussing their release date and think it will be soon.  Henry seems perfectly OK with letting them fly free, but we want a better weather forecast.  

Kayce, if you are interested in exposure therapy, I know five little ladies who would be happy to assist.

Hail on Earth

Check it out... tons of hail--even some golf ball sized ones.

Growing Family

We have another butterfly, emerged from its chrysalis on this very special cinquo de mayo.  Our family is getting so big!

Birth Announcement

After a few weeks gestation, we are the proud parents of three Painted Lady Butterflies.  We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of two more metamorphosis completions.

Proud Papa

Daddy thought the butterfly garden would be fun, and I thought it would be a good experience for a little boy who might learn something about development and birth--sort of.  Did you know that the chrysalis actually leaks meconium?

I'll keep our extended family and friends posted on the birth of the other two and maybe, just maybe, the names.  

That face

I considered editing out the milk 'stache.  Nah...

How does your garden grow?

On Saturday, Cory and Henry planted two of our three raised beds with tomato and pepper plants.  We are keeping it simple this year.

Why does this picture remind me of a Reservoir Dogs poster?

Dude doing da double dig

Daddy and his helper/ instructor

Patting down the dirt.

What did I do to help?  I sat in a chair and took some pictures and tried to keep H from running to the front yard, out of sight.  Cory later reported to me that, assuredly unprompted by him, Henry sat in my chair and said, "Now I'm going to be Mama."  You would think that just sitting in the chair and being gentle and patient would be how he would "be Mama."  But, instead, he sat in the chair, and after a while, told Daddy, "Water that one.  Now water there."  And when Daddy didn't react?  "I said water over there!"  

Wow.  He really got "Mama" all wrong.