Many of our monarch caterpillars have moved into the “J” formation, where they spin some silk and attach themselves to the top of the container, and hang down into the shape of a J.
24 hours later, they will be a bright, green chrysalis.
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Bug alert!
This imperial moth caterpillar may be one of the strangest creatures we’ve found on the farm. Ambling across the driveway, it measures nearly four inches long and is covered in fuzz (which some are allergic to, hence the blue garden gloves). Neko was beside herself with not only a new find but the shock value it wields with strangers.
However, once we discovered it pupates underground for an entire winter, we decided we would not be seeing this one through to its adult stage. But for 48 hours it was loads of fun for our junior etymologist.
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Butterfly
Neko found this injured butterfly. One wing ragged, it was pretty clear she wasn't going to make it to Mexico. It was the best pet for several days, sitting happily on her hand.
And then, one day, off she flew. Well loved.
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Free watermelon
I love when Tom has the kids, and I come home to find some fun surprise waiting for me.
Today I pulled up to find Tom, the kids, and Neko’s friend Mary Beth were giving away free watermelon. All four kids crafted this giant slice out of one of the pieces of wood from the tree that came down last month.
Love. It.
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My child is a genius
Okay, admit it. If you have children, you’re convinced your kids are genius material as well.
I came out of the shop one day to discover this huge drawing Neko had done on the new driveway. It’s a great drawing, but it’s extra amazing because it’s really tough to work that big. When you draw large, you lose a sense of scale and location. Later on she drew a really great, life-size dinosaur.
And just in case you can’t tell, this is a drawing about someone dreaming about getting a pet chihuahua. (Detail in bottom photo.) That would be my only reservation in calling this genius material, because, lordy, who wants to own a chihuahua?
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Field Trip: 8/18
This week's field trip was actually a holdover from last year, which we had to cancel when we woke up to torrential rain and thunderstorms.
This year the rain clouds were peeking around the corner, but we managed to find a clear spot in the day to go on our Treasure Hunt. We started at a meeting spot, where I handed out the first piece of the treasure map. That piece of the map held a clue as to where we’d find the next envelope. The kids went screaming off to the next spot. And the next. And the next, until we had a complete map. The last piece directed us to the treasure chest, filled with cheap telescopes and compasses—excellent gear for young explorers.
I have to give a big shout-out and thank you to my dad, who stayed about ten minutes in front of us, hiding clues. I had a feeling if I placed them all earlier that morning, we’d be called in by the bomb squad, so reeling in Papa Joe seemed like a better plan.
This was our final field trip for the season, so big thanks to all who joined us this summer. Now off to start the list for next year…
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Art show!
Tom and the kids surprised me today with an early morning art show. Excellent watercolor technique by all.
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Birth announcement
I’m proud to announce we are the parents of nine baby monarch caterpillars. Another parent at school gave us some monarch eggs he gathered so we could experience the life cycle. Today they hatched! My desperately-in-need-of-a-manicure finger included for scale. They are SO TINY.
And adorable.
Seriously.
I’ve also decided a macro lens is now officially on my wish list.
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