The Girl Likes Bugs!

Today was filled with 6-legged friends.

-A pair of Oil Beetles

on the side of the road in Depew Park, mating- get a room guys! Kids around here!

-An ant

 on the playground that Emma admired for a while, then tried to get to chase her, and inevitably tried to tickle and squashed. I said Oh No, Emma! We have to be gentle with little bugs! But the big bully clenched her fists in front of her and made a horrifying crushing sound. All the other ants went running! (She didn't mean to squash the ant, she's not a bully. And the ant was just dinged up, I'm sure his buddies came to his aid when the coast was clear. Get off our case PETA) (or PETB) 

-A cricket. 

Mama does not like crickets but this little guy was strolling into our bathroom looking lost. I called Emma over and as soon as she spots it on the floor she plops down onto her belly, practically face to face with this new creature. My brave girl! My hero! We got the cricket into a container with a secure lid that Emma was able to carry outside for the release. 

BLLEUUGH don't need to see that. Wait. He's kind of cute. I don't want to have any fears or aversions to bugs or beasts because Emma will be looking to me for how to respond. That's why we did this catch and release instead of getting the shoe, and I made it clear that the bug wont harm us but belongs outside. 

There is a little character in our daily day. He's got eight legs and is full of mystery. 

Enter, Spider.

A bit of an Elf on the Shelf, we spot Spider here or there, in new corners and even in the bathroom waste bin once- but never in the same place for more than a couple days. We catch him walking across the floor on his way to the next big thing. We wonder what this Spider John is up to and where he goes when we can't find him. 

With an old guitar across his abdomen,

He's here one day then gone again.

With eight worn shoes on his feet,

He rides the wind right down the street.

Long and lanky and so laid-back,

He plays for a fly and then he's gone out the back.

Who's that traveling Spider John? 

Web to web and gone!

(Caspar Babypants - Spider John)