Lady Bugs!

For Bronwen's Ladybug birthday party, Aunt Jana got her a Ladybug habitat. We ordered our larvae and they arrived within a week and a half. They came in a tube with some food and paper scraps.We watched the larvae for about another week, until they attached themselves to the dome in their pupae form.


After another 4 or 5 days, they hatched into ladybugs. Bronwen was thrilled, and she wasn't even sad when we let them out, because she wanted so badly for them to crawl on her. See next post for the video.

Library Part 1

Sometimes when just don't have much to do, I bring the girls to the library, which is conveniently located right around the corner from our house. They have a great reading/children's area, complete with bins of books for the girls to go through. Bronwen has been enjoying the stories of Eric Carle as of late, and insisted on reading "The Very Busy Spider" all on her own, despite my offer to read it with her. I had to capture her story telling!

Library Part 2

Lila loves going to the library--she spends all her time getting books and climbing into the rocking chairs--apparently she draws quite a bit of attention. I love how you can hear Bronwen still reading the story about the Very Busy Spider. (She is explaining what animals the spider is beside, and what sounds they make.)

Statue Of Liberty

Mimi was kind enough to procure some Statue of Liberty items when she went to New York last month. She got an awesome plastic torch for Bronwen and a 3-D puzzle. I will post video of Bronwen working on the puzzle next, but don't feel obligated to watch--they are kind of long. Here is a before and after:
In this picture, Bronwen is in her PJs--it took them two days to do the puzzle, and she had to begin work early the next morning!
Obviously, the Statue of Liberty was one her mind--she insisted on getting her pedestal and posing with her new torch. I wonder if they sell SOL tablets too?

Torch lights up!

Mama went to the dentist last week, so Daddy stayed home for the morning. Bronwen and Lila wanted to do an art project.

Step 1: Choosing crayons.


Lila feels like Bronwen is getting all the "good" crayons, so she takes matters into her own hands.


Step 2: Free-form drawing

Lila is suspicious at first, but soon gets in on the action.


Step 3: Stamping the official seal of approval

All finished!

Memorial Day Weekend

The weekend was hot and humid, and we decided that it was time to get some much-needed yard work accomplished. Brilliant plan, right? Since the weather is not about to get any cooler, we just dove right in at about 8:30 in the morning. Luckily, T.J. and I had our trusty assistants helping us with the front bed.

Lila was dressed for the weather, and with tiny rake in hand, was ready to rake tiny piles of soil where we needed them. I know you all want a pair of shorts just like hers.
Bronwen utilized her intense powers of concentration to plant several flowers for me. She told me she was doing it for John Denver.
The hat came off after a few minutes, and the chalk came out. I know she doesn't look amused, but she was having quite a nice time dumping the chalk out and putting it back in (remember the crayon game?) Bronwen in the background, continued working hard, focused on pleasing her favorite deceased folk singer.
After a long day of yard work, Lila refused to use a simple fork or spoon to feed her voracious appetite--she had to find something much more suitable.

Answer to Aunt Jana