The creepy crawlys that come in the Spring

Yes, I have to thank my husband for all the "nature science projects" that we quite often have going on in our house. If it was me, we would learn from a book or online, but Scotts way is - why not bring it into the house and learn hands on :) I have to admit, as long as I don't have to touch anything and it can't get out, it is kinda interesting.

Our latest is the spotted salamander and collections from our pond. In the fish tank we have frog eggs and salamander eggs, and we are going to watch them "hatch" Also have a water beetle in there and another "thing" pictured below. It looks like a bunch of teeny sticks and grass, but at one end it has a hole where the "bug part" comes out. It seems attached to the other stuff. No, I will never step into a pond again in my life!!

Scott was very interested in the spotted salamander. We learned that they come to the same pond every year (for only 2 nights) and mate and lay their eggs. Then the salamanders go back to the woods and live there. Scott happened to see them one of those nights they were in the pond!



And I would prefer if the kids didn't touch, but you can't get Scott to think that way:)


The frog eggs are the smaller ones and the salamader eggs are the larger ones.


The bug thing that we don't know what it is

Spring Break - Trip to Grandma and Grandpas

We had a great spring break - was great to have the kids home all day. Through the week, we didn't do anything too special as I was working and would only be able to get away for a day, but enjoyed the layed-back schedule of vacation. It was awesome weather and we spent alot of time outside. Was also great to be able to bring both kids to work with me! They played outside alot at the Dr's house so it was pretty quiet inside so I still got my work done easily. I work in her basement which is a walkout with huge windows and patio doors, so it was easy to keep an eye on them.

On Thursday, Scott flew to NM, rented a penske truck and drove our stuff from storage back home. The kids were super excited to see their bikes and all their toys they have been asking for!! And... they had all the toy boxes emptied within an hour and were exclaiming "Oh ya, I forgot about this!!" Was fun listening to them :)

So, for the weekend - and our spring break vacation, the kids and I went to my mom and dads. Just about missed the maple syrup season, but did get in on gathering up the buckets/lids/spiles. (1200 of them!!) Was a beautiful day, although we did get rained on for the last 1/2 hour. The kids helped for most of the morning, but then had fun riding on and running behind the 4-wheeler.