Caterpillar Babies

About a week ago today the painted lady caterpillars that we ordered from Insectlore arrived! As a part of my home school preschool this summer, we decided to get caterpillars. So far it has been a great learning experience. Deirdre is learning so much about their little lives and also about her own. She is noticing that caterpillars change and so do people too when they get older. But while that change is only physical with caterpillars; with people it is a physical and mental metamorphism.

"Mommy when we get older we get bigger and taller, like the baby caterpillars.  But we also get smarter and learn new things... like how to take care of babies." 

Watching Deirdre connecting those dots herself today was a great affirmation to this new homeschooling experience for us both. 

Jonas, who is a huge fan of the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, (It was the theme for his 1st birthday party) also joins in the fun by stealing the caterpillar jar and running wildly away with it. Oh that little boy sure is fun and mischievous! Thankfully I am up for the challenge. I got a lot of practice with mischievous little boys as a big sister to Luke (for 17 years and counting) and also when I worked at a day school for fours years in High School. But I will say Luke is a bit calmer than Jonas and more passive (in a GOOD way!). Luke might not have survived to the ripe age of 17 in a family of dominant Irish women, had he been as aggressive/stubborn/vocal as my mother and I. Did I mention I am super proud of my brother? Well, I am! He just got his license, but moreover I think I am most proud of the man he is becoming. He has a good and kind spirit, yet he is firm when he needs to be. Very proud! 

Loving his first piece of cake. I made the felt birthday crown for him.  The ribbon on it has bugs around it! 

The cake I made, love it! 

Ah, but I digress... 

So today Deirdre informed me that the "big fat one" was transforming into his "chrysalis". Low and behold, he is slowly but surely. I will keep you all posted in the upcoming days about their progress. Once all the caterpillars transform, we have a mesh tent that we place them in until they hatch- not pictured- but we only plan to keep them for a day once they hatch. Deirdre already has releasing plans for them and wants to make a butterfly feeder so that they will stick around and 'pollinate our veggies". So sweet. I highly recommend Insectlore. They are a very educational and eco-friendly company. They stand by their insects, and guarantee them. Win-win in my book! 

Have a great day my friends! Thank you all for the input on the nameless chick. We decided on 'Precious' per Carollee's suggestion! 

More crafts with Deirdre. Letter familiarization- no pressure just fun- with painting and gluing! 

Daily Verse or Quote: 

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. – Psalm 148:13 NIV 

::right now::

Right now, I am...

:: relishing this recent bout of mild summer weather here in Virginia. I know that it will not last and soon we will be inside or in the water most days. 

:: feeling a bit wary about the impending move in a month and a half.  I have lots of packing to do and a husband who is working 40+ hour weeks. 

:: doing a lot of yard work since the hubby is working so much. Which means I am literally up to my elbows in all sorts of poop. I still love my cloth diapers though! And rabbit poop is by far the poop I like best, with goose poop coming in last. 

:: missing my childhood summers on my surfboard. I cannot wait until I can be there again but with my kids at my side. Even better! 

:: loving that my baby brother passed his behind-the-wheel test and now has his license. You rock Luke! 

:: picking the first blueberries EVER from my blueberry bushes. They were worth all the care and wait! Oh and we have raspberries! 

:: awaiting our next family trip to the Eastern Shore, its lovely there! The blueberry festival is going to be fun! 

:: wishing frozen yogurt was free. We are regulars at BerryBody now.

:: cherishing Jonas' blooming personality. He is bubbling with curiosity and he is so so proud of himself when Mommy understands what he is saying! 

:: appreciating Deirdre's patience when her little brother is hogging Mommy's lap. We big sisters have to have a lot of patience sometimes! 

Hoping you all have a blessed week filled with sweet summery moments! 

Frozen Yogurt! 

The Eastern Shore! 

The old farmhouse (1700s) adjacent to my Aunt and Uncle's restored farmhouse. 

My little brother Luke and I on the Eastern Shore.  Luke is 17 and I am 24.

Blackberry Picking

We have been busy these past two days. Sadly my husband's work schedule is pretty crazy and unreliable right now. Since he works night shifts we usually spend our days together as a family. He also never has the weekend off, so our weekend usually is on Monday and Tuesday (his usual days off). But since his restaurant has doubled in size after its renovation- without hiring more staff to compensate- he and his fellow employees are having to working a lot. Last week also two people called in sick during the day last minute, so he had to go in and work doubles. Truly I am grateful for his job and his wonderful boss Julia, but I will be happy when this period is over. I am struggling with getting all my housework done and poor baby Jonas is teething again, which means I get even less done. Ah well that is ok. One day at a time. My blessings are plentiful and the Lord will give us all extra strength and peace. 


On a happy note, he did get Monday off this week and we were able to go to my hometown Virginia Beach for some blackberry picking (click on the link to see the farm's website that we went to)! The berries were just in season and delicious. We are now in the process of making schnapps, preserves, and cobbler. So much fun! 

At any rate, I will try my best to return to this space as frequently as I have been, but forgive if I lapse. We all know how life happens! 

Daily Verse or Quote: "Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion." -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from "Kindness, Clarity, and Insight" by Snow Lion Publications.

I cannot help laughing in this photo. The chick has imprinted on me and now follows me around everywhere.  In this photo she hopped up onto my lap and climbed up me while I was blogging. Then she nestled down and fell asleep on my shoulder. Precious! Still no name yet!

Geese, Ducks, and Rabbits oh-my!

Our nameless Americauna chick, suggestions?

I think the title of this post pretty much sums up what I am going to say :) Today Deirdre and I took a mommy-daughter day trip to West Point. The local tack and feed store there was hosting a poultry swap and we wanted to go check it out! After learning a little bit more about chicken's pecking order and seeing how unhappy Snow White was, we wanted to get her a little friend close to her age. 


Chickens, especially young ones, are social flock animals. When one is isolated, it causes undue stress and weight loss.  I tried 'look but don't touch' with Snow White and my other chickens, but it did not work and they continued to peck her badly. So we have to wait to introduce her once she is full grown and can peck back. In the meantime however she was not happy,and since we want her to be happy and lay eggs, we needed to get her a friend chick close to her age. After learning that the feed store where we got Snow White had no more chicks this season, we started looking elsewhere for a friend. Then this swap popped up, so off we went! 


It only took about an hour to get to West Point. It was just so beautiful there. Deirdre aptly commented "Mommy its so beautiful here. God did a really good job on this one". Sadly I forgot to take photos! I was just so enamored with all of the animals. 


The store was easy enough to find and it was packed! It was at the first stall, yeah that's right I did not make it past the first stall, where I saw the Americauna chicks. My mind was made up then and there. You see while I now have Dominique hens, we at first wanted Easter Eggers. Our Hatchery however did not have any left when it came time for me to order. Plus I was very happy with my Dominiques, they are so sweet! 


So instead of leaving with one Americauna chick, we got A pair of geese, a pair of ducks, a new doe meat rabbit, and our one Americauna chick. Craig had been commenting on how he wanted a turkey or goose to raise for Christmas, and he even tried to catch a baby duck at work. So when I brought these babies home, he wasn't shocked. He was actually pleasantly surprised, especially by the sweet geese and meat rabbit. Well, heck he liked them all. So now we are making plans for all of our new editions! Right now they are playing in our baby pool on the back porch and loving it! 

From left to right: Raspberry, Strawberry, Petunia, and Charles

Laying her head in my hand sweetly! 

Snow White: the white leghorn

Brownie: the New Zealand doe

Duffy: The Dutch Doe and my nemesis due to her being an escape artist! 

Cicero aka Fluffy: the Lionhead Buck

My big babies! Faline, Nala, and Simba.

And, I finished the Oliver and S bucket hat!