While I was away, the frogs jumped out to play!

Justin said some of our polywogs sprouted legs and began hopping right out of their container in the last few days. I was just glad they had shallow enough water that they could avoid drowning.

So today the boys, Auntie Staci, and I hiked up to the creek where we originally found the tadpoles, and let them free so that they can begin eating flies and gnats instead of the vegetarian diet we've been feeding them. Justin says they'll end up as bird food before the night is over, but I still have hope that hops as well as they do that they survived to see the sunrise again.

I've come to love these little amphibians, probably more than the boys ever did. I posted a picture of Kellen a few weeks ago who was memorized as he held the bowl of tadpoles, but a picture doesn't exist of me doing the same thing, long after the boys had lost interest. I was just amazed at how fast they moved, how their hind legs developed first, then their front, then they lost their tails, and boom---frogs!

And here's what we discovered along the way:

1. The optimal process of transferring them out of one bowl and into another to clean out their tub (because the things poop. A lot.) includes one spoon and a strainer. And it's a process that 4-year-olds love. With little supervision, the boys practically were doing it on their own.

2. Those little swimmers have appetites; although they didn't like the turtle/frog food from Wal Mart. Just lettuce, please.

3. Fresh water from the tap kills 'em. So, we let the water sit out at least 24-72 hours before letting them swim in it---to let some of the chlorine evaporate. During their stay with us we had a bucket of water on the counter every day that we'd filter in future days.

We will miss you, frogs. ---SM


[Above: The boys and I watch as the frogs hop away and some remaining tadpoles swim in the stream. They are difficult to see as their natural coloring blends well with the bark and grass in the stream.]


[Above: Grant rides on Auntie Staci's shoulders as they talk about mountain lions that roam around these trails!]

This weekend was my cousin Emily's wedding. I remember the day when my aunt told us that she was pregnant with Emily, her fifth child, while we stood under my grandma's carport. My aunt said she would be 60 by the time Emily was in college, and boy how time flies. It's hard to believe we're all that grown up.

Justin stayed home with the boys while I flew by myself to the weekend's events then road-tripped it back with my mom, dad, and sister, marking the first time we've been together as a nuclear family since I was in college. We got to see relatives from both sides of the family as we stayed with my uncle then later met up with many members of my extended family whom most of us hadn't seen for years. My only wish was that more family members could have been there, but we had a blast anyway and my grandma was smiling at us from the heavens. ---SM

[Above: Fifteen kids, who, at the end of a busy morning, had already attended preschool, visited a candy shoppe, went to lunch at a sit-down restaurant, then topped it off with frozen yogurt. Can't say we don't get out...]

There's a nature preserve a quick walk away from our house that the boys love to explore. To get to the top of the grassy hill is a bit of a hike for their little legs, but, as Grant put it when he ascended the first time, "Mom, I can see for ages up here!"

So when my mom and sister were willing to go for an afternoon stroll, the boys wanted to show them their special hill, complete with all the excitement of their discovering it the first time...and then some. ---SM

While today was the official "Kids to Work Day," Justin is such a good dad that he not only hosted the kids today, but he did so yesterday, too, while I went out to lunch with a friend.

It's a well-oiled machine that happens around our household---all parties must be willing and flexible: I packed a lunch for all the boys, picked up my friend, dropped off the kids at Justin's office where he entertained them in the cafeteria (while it rained outside) and they screamed a few times, I picked the boys up again, dropped off my friend, and headed home for everyone's long nap!

Today was bright and sunny, though, and the boys did little work and a whole lotta play for our "Kids (Back) to Work Day" as they jumped in in the jumpy castles, ate snow cones, and scored a few (bazillion) balloon animals. ---SM

Part 1: Lennox and his dad







Part 2: Grant as the Magnifying Glass Monster








Part 3: Lennox and his pouty faces








Part 4: Just Kellen

Saturday is the day Justin has declared Daddy Donut Day.
Sounds sweet in a treat sort of way,
But for me it means that
While the boys go to the donut store,
I get to snore just a little while more. ---SM

Q: How do you know you're celebrating Easter with toddlers?

A: Look for the sippy cup next to the colored eggs.