2007
it just takes patience and an ear for what sounds right
maura @ 9:45 pm
Gus had two (2!) birthday parties to attend this weekend, because he has way more of a social life than we do. Yesterday’s was run by a science teacher from a school near us who’s got a nice little side business offering fun science afterschool, parties, and a summer camp. We’ve signed Gus up for 2 weeks of the summer camp this coming August so it was nice to get a preview. Apparently* Gus LOVED it, phew!
* J worked yesterday’s party and I did today’s. Often we both go, but we are a little strapped for time right now because Gus has this ENTIRE week off school. And like spazzes we kind of blanked on it, and thus are now scrambling to fill the time. Midwinter break, my butt, didn’t they just have a whole week off at the holidays?!
At the party they did crazy experiments like making a rocket with alka seltzer and fake snow. The science dude has lots of small animals like gerbils and a snake and some mealworms and maybe lizards. Gus even got to hold the snake, which made a big impression. Apparently the science dude said that anyone who wanted a mealworm could take one home as a pet. Guess which kid remembered that and asked for one at the end of the party? Go on, guess.
The first thing Gus said when he walked in the door was “Mommy, I have a pet!” Then he holds up the ziploc bag with a mealworm inside. Longtime (har) readers may remember the wormy-thing-that-we-thought-was-a-maggot-but-actually-wasn’t of ought-five. This bug is longer, and will supposedly transform into a beetle in 3 weeks. Yes, a beetle!
We’ve explained to Gus that after the magical transformation takes place, Apple** will really be more comfortable living outside (as opposed to his current home in Gus’s small plastic bug cup with attached magnifying glass), where he can stretch his newly lengthened legs. I’m a little nervous about the whole pupal-to-adult event, I must admit. The eventual beetle will have wings — what if it ends up flying around the house? That crosses my pet-to-bug barrier; I may just have to kill it.
** Its name is Apple. Because it drinks juice from apple slices (and eats oatmeal). You know, just like Gwyneth Paltrow’s kid.
Clearly Gus is destined to be a great entomologist someday. Make us proud, bug boy!
2 comments on “it just takes patience and an ear for what sounds right”
That is so excellent! If I shed a leg from stress I’d have been legless so so so long ago. Maybe we will go with the crabs, though Gus was also very intrigued by the gerbils at the science place. As long as he doesn’t want a snake, that’s where I draw the line! Also luckily he will probably forget about it all within a week or so.
We recommend hermit crabs. One of Max’s hermit crabs (Mr. Krabs) shedded a leg. Apparently this is done as a reaction to stress. So, if you see me hobbling around, you’ll know what did it.