Leaves and Lace

I’d been dreaming of this Leaves and Lace theme for a while,

and thought my chances for a warm day were slipping away. 

Last week the weatherman told us the cold and rain was coming.

 But this particular morning every time I looked out the window, 

the light was beautiful. 

And the day was mild.  The leaves were gorgeous. 

 And I didn’t feel like being a school teacher. 

 I gave in. 

Instead of the normal “get your school books out” after breakfast,

 I told Kadence and Cassia that we were going outside. 

Oh joy! 

We gathered some beautiful things inside and some beautiful things outside. 

 We picked the last rose on the bush in the front yard. 

I made wreaths for their hair, and they wrapped themselves in lace. 

 (I have a weakness for old handmade pieces of crocheted lace.)

 They felt beautiful.

 I love this photo. 

Cassie Jo has just been “crowned” with leaves 

and is as happy as any princess! 

We were late for lunch.

 (Much love to my kindhearted husband who was waiting,

and who puts up with impulsive moments.)

And I now confess.

In the afternoon….  

I brewed coffee and gave it to my third grader and kindergartener

to get them (and their teacher) through their school work.

 Life is not all perfection and beauty.

 Reality is not always fun. 

Strive to enjoy the gifts. 

And then be willing to get out the coffee when necessary!

"Tell those who have the riches of this world 

not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence

 in anything as uncertain as riches.

 Instead, they should place their confidence in God 

who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." 

1 Timothy 6:17

How to Feed an Antlion

Today I’m sharing photos and writing for kids of all ages.  

When it comes to some things, I’ll always be a kid. 

 I remember very well spending hours watching insects, frogs, 

and whatever other little creatures I could find. 

 I could still be quite content spending time like that.  

It’s just that time is a little harder to find now than it was back then!

I wonder if you have you ever noticed sandy looking

 little cone shaped holes in the ground?  

Do you know what they are? 

Ever wonder who made them, or why they’re there? 

They’re a special kind of trap made by a hungry lion!!!  

Now, it might not be the lion you’re thinking of. 

 It’s not hungry for gazelles and zebras, it’s hungry for ants!  

This lion is kind of ugly.  It’s a dirty brown color with long pinchers in the front 

that are perfect for snagging ants that wander into its trap.  

This Antlion is actually a larva that develops into a flying insect 

which looks a little bit like a small dragonfly or a lacewing. 

 You can often find these Antlion traps under porches, swing sets, picnic tables, 

or anywhere there is bare soil that is loose and dry.

  If you can discover some Antlion pits, 

you’ll probably be able to feed an Antlion. J

 First of all you’ll need to find some ants. 

 Drop one or two into a pit, hold very still, watch, and wait. 

 The ant will try to escape, but the steep sides and loose sand 

will cause it to keep sliding back into the bottom of the trap

 where the Antlion is waiting. 

(Sometimes an extra lucky ant will make it to the top.  

Yay for the American Ninja Ant Warrior!  I’ll let you decide if he has earned his freedom or if you drop him back into the terrible trap.) 

 You may even see dirt shooting up, knocking the ant 

back down to the bottom of the pit where the he can be nabbed.  

This is the Antlion’s dirt flicking trick to keep him from escaping.  

If everything goes right for the Antlion, you will soon see 

the ant disappear as he pulls his prize down underground for supper.

 Here you can see that I've circled Ant Number 2 

who's been caught, and only his legs are sticking out.

 If you would like to actually see the Antlion, you will have to dig him up.  

Take a small spoon and very carefully dig at the side of the pit. 

Don’t go straight down at the bottom 

or you will squish the little guy.  

Gently scoop up the dirt from the very bottom of the pit, 

and spread it out on a light colored paper.  

The Antlion will probably lie on his back with his feet in the air playing dead. 

(Once you return him to his home, he’ll begin burrowing back underground.)

 Here is a small Antlion I dug from a small sized trap.  

The ant is almost as big as he is!

Can you spot the Antlion burrowing back underground?  

They are well camouflaged!  

I would love to hear your Antlion stories or other insect stories in the comment section!

“Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and women,

old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”

Psalm 148:7-13

The Value of Play

You know the little reminder boxes that pop up on your computer? 

The ones where you always hit “remind me later”

because you don’t want to read all that stuff? 

That’s what I’m doing now. 

The “School is Almost Here” notification keeps popping up in my brain,

and I hit “remind me later” just as fast as I can.  

Our homeschool starts in three weeks,

but until then I will savor freedom of summer.

What I see from the back door window.

I let the girls play with the past-their-prime garden vegetables,
and they think I gave them the moon! 

Can't you just feel the glorious squish?!

I could almost eat this.  Other than there's a lot of "pepper".

At the beginning of this year’s summer vacation

 I was a little concerned that the “I’m bored” bug might hit. 

The concern wasn’t necessary. 

Play has kept the boredom away.

A grocery store sprung up in our living room.

 I love to see the incredible creativity of children at play. 

And as the hours of school approach

I don’t want to see the time for play disappear,

even though I know it will lessen.  

 I love school.  I love the learning. 

I love the requirements of discipline and hard work. 

I love this thing of learning to keep on going even when it’s drudgery.

This is preparation for life in the real world.

But…  

A mind too full of work and responsibility has no room for creativity.

It’s in the unstructured times that ideas blossom. 

New things are tried.  Failure is bound to happen. 

Fresh attempts are made with a different technique.

These play times are also important preparation for life in the real world. 

Flower lady in her lovely ballgown.

The mamma helped with this play!

 “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant,

and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.

 Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”

 -- Lousia May Alcott,  Little Women

My native maidens.

 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God,

and he will give it to you.

He will not rebuke you for asking.”

James 1:5