Caterpillar spring... Nature Scene style

We were invaded about a month ago. By caterpillars! We were all playing in the backyard one day when Chloe shouted, "Mom, this tree is growing baby sticks!" Well, as you can see in the picture, the baby sticks are indeed caterpillars. Tons of caterpillars. They had nests on both of our crab apple trees and there were about 20 other nests on the trees at the back of our yard and in some of the limbs that hang over our fence from the woods behind us. It was amazing! I couldn't stop taking pictures of them, and watching them grow was pretty cool too. (Did you have to watch "Nature Scene" in elementary school science? I did. And at the time I really didn't appreciate it, but now I love that kind of stuff.) All I could think was, this would make an awesome "Nature Scene" episode! Chloe really got into it too. She learned how to very carefully pick them up-- so she wouldn't get their "guts" on her- they actually excrete something (guess what) if you startle them too much. She counted and guesses we had at least a gazillion caterpillars in our backyard. We've been waiting patiently (somewhat) for the gazillion butterflies that should follow, but so far have only seen two. Needless to say, Chloe hasn't been too pleased with that ratio!
Here are a few pics of our little friends (notice they've sucked the crab apple trees dry!) and also Chloe's own "Nature Scene" video is at the bottom. We'll let you know if we see anymore butterflies!
Click on pics to make larger

Just for...

Let me apologize to my mother and mother-in-law for not updating sooner. I have to place the blame completely on my friend Heath who somehow put FACEBOOK on my iphone, and the time that I used to spend here has been replaced by confirming/adding "friends" on facespace. I have no idea how many "friends" I have (I'm sure someone is keeping count and if there is indeed a competition I'll pick up the pace and start adding everyone I ever shared a fudge round with--millions) but needless to say I have become what I dreaded- an addict. I very rarely comment or add stuff, but love to look at everyone's pictures. Although, I must say some people need to filter a little bit better. I really don't need to see you taking your 10th shot of the night or seriously do I need to know that you went to work, then the grocery store, the gym, then home? But that doesn't stop me from reading it, or at times adding my own silliness to the mix. And that's what I think it is-- silliness. And you know how I love good silly fun! So, while I'd like to say that I'm cooler than that, you know I'm not! Which is why I'm a big addict!
Anyway~ didn't mean to give facespace so much time here, but Susie and Carol have been wondering why I haven't posted about Chloe's preschool graduation! It was last week and it was awesome! They did their singing program first with all of the kids ages 1-5, then the 4 & 5 year olds graduated in cap & gowns! Too cute! I can still remember her first program (18months) when she just stood their staring at this huge crowd with a deer caught in the headlights look. Didn't make a sound, we were just proud she stood up there. And then this year to watch her singing and doing all of the motions and being in the "big" class just makes me wonder how it happened so fast!-- time flies and they change so quickly. Next year she'll be at high school she likes to say (actually elementary!) where she'll have to make new friends, meet new teachers, eat lunch!-- but we know she's ready. She's very excited and ready to get on the "huge" playground. I'm not so sure that I'm ready-- but here it comes! Her teacher sent this poem home on their last day of school and I wanted to share it. I'm not sure who the author is, but I like it very much.

JUST FOR

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you're going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that GOD has given me the greatest gift ever given.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank GOD for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.........

Happy Mothers Day!

I want to thank my beautiful girls for what has been a GREAT Mother's Day! They are so sweet and definitely give the BEST hugs!! Also, I want to thank Micky again--without him I wouldn't be a Mom!
And here it is, to wrap up the 3 days worth of quotes, my favorite mom quote:

~If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.
-Dolly Parton

Never thought I'd be quoting Dolly -unless of course some beautiful redhead named Jolene tried to take my man!- but reading those words made me smile and remember that sometimes I just have to breathe and remember how lucky I am!
Hope you all have a Happy Day-- I know you deserve it!

Mothers Day-- day 2

~A mother's hand brushes hair from your eyes, tears from you cheek, hurt from your heart.
-Lauren Benson

~Show me a woman who doesn't feel guilty and I'll show you a man.
- Erica Jong

~Being a full-time mother is one of the highest-salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.
-Mildred B. Vermont

~Childhood is short; regret nothing of the hard work.
-Doris Lessing

~Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
-Phyllis Diller

~The phrase "working mother" is redundant.
-Jane Sellman

~There's nothing wrong with teenagers that reasoning with them won't aggravate.
-Anonymous

~A mother's arms are made of tenderness, and children sleep soundly in them.
-Victor Hugo

~Be good at "letting go."
-Marsha Sinetar

~Govern a family as you would cook small fish-- very gently.
-Chinese proverb

TOP 10 THINGS HANDED DOWN FROM MOM TO MOM (I have done every one of these!)

10. The loud finger snap that will stop kids dead in their tracks.
9. The "I'm not angry, I'm disappointed" speech.
8. The fine are of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
7. The ability to separate mixed modeling clay colors.
6. The rule about not mixing the modeling clay colors.
5. The keen sense that a child is probably sitting too close to the TV.
4. The "How do you know you don't like it if you haven't tried it?" line.
3. The appropriate amount of time to spend in the corner.
2. The various comebacks to "But all my friends are doing it."
1. The terrified look that follows the question "Where do babies come from?"
-Dee Ann Stewart

Mothers Day-- day 1

In honor of Mother's Day, and all of the fabulous women I love(mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, mom-to-be's)over the next few days leading up to the big day- I'll be posting some quotes from a Mothers book I read recently, titled "Wit & Wisdom of Mothers". Some serious, some funny-- but all will make you smile. Enjoy!

~There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.
-Jill Churchill

~A mother's hug says to the heart what a lifetime of words can never say.
-Mary Miro

~A rich child often sits in a poor mother's lap. -Danish proverb

~A mom will sit in the rain in the bleachers to watch her kid sit on a bench.
-Bill Gray

~A mom's love waits up when the rest of the world has already turned out the lights.
-Diana Manning

~A mom's heart is a lot like her purse. It holds everything a kid could ever need-and a little bit extra. -Linda Staten

~Mom's hugs are like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... they're sweet and they stick with you a long time.
-Kay Andrew

~Few mistakes can be made by a mother-in-law who is willing to baby-sit.
-Anonymous

~What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.
-Mother Teresa