We have cute li'l creatures in our backyard.
Last year we had a HUGE toad in our backyard that came around the patio nightly. We really had no idea why it hung around there until this year. We now have two (big but smaller than the original) toads that do the same thing. All I can figure out is that these two are somehow the babies of the first one. I say somehow because we only saw one last year. And we have no idea how these toads ended up in our backyard. We don't have a pond or a pool. We really have no bodies of water sitting around our yard for the duration of time it would take a tadpole to become a baby toad. But, somehow these toads have ventured into our yard and made it their home.
It dawned on us that they're looking for tidbits of cat food that fall from the patio table nightly. So, now, I've created a smallish pond out of a cat litter box, and some sand and rocks, and placed that under a tree. We also now have an abundance of mealworms kept in a plastic container in the refrigerator and we feed the toads 5-6 mealworms per night. They now come close enough to let us see them, and wait for us to feed them, then scurry off again.



But here's the kicker.....I also made sure to get a pod of Praying Mantis eggs this year, for the garden. If you've never had one in your yard, they're awesome. They eat all the bad bugs, and are extremely intelligent creatures. They will quickly befriend you if you feed them a bit of raw hamburger meat daily. And if they feel comfortable about it, they will walk up your arm, as if they know the individual. They're carniverous, but friendly. Anyway....I released a pod of them and they hatched, and became these cute little critters you see below....which grew bigger and now hide out in my tomato, cucumber and herb gardens. We started with 70 in the pod. And now I'm fairly certain that there are around 3-4 that have found the best camiflauge.


Problem is, now, I think the toads are keeping the mantis population down (hence the scant mantis findings). Still though, with all the experience this has given Cady about the food chain, the eco system, nature and nurturing others in our environment, I would have both species in my yard again next year. I think I might skip tossing the ladybugs though next year....Between the mantis' and the toads, I don't think the ladybugs really had a fighting chance.

Update for Keri and anyone else interested. You can get praying mantis pods at a garden center supply store during the spring. There's usually a refrigerated section that has plastic containers of earth worms, praying mantis pods and lady bugs (each in their own containers). The mantis pod looks like a brazil nut shell, and the container we got had 3 pods, and cost around 4 dollars. Each pod has around 20-30 eggs. You place each pod between the V of tree branches or in a safe place where it won't be blown away. The heat makes the eggs hatch, and within weeks you have several mantis' like the one above. That one was very young when we took the picture. It's in between sage leaves (for measurement sake). They usually get to be a little smaller than your index finger in length.

American Heritage Dictionary -
con·tent·ed
adj.   Satisfied with things as they are; content: a contented expression on the child's face.

Tonight as I was rocking Cady in my arms, her blanket on one side and her froggy pillow on the other side, as she started to doze off, she said, "Mama?"
"Yes, Cady?"
"I like this place"
"You do?"
(I could feel a vigorous nod against my shoulder)
"Me too, Sweetie"
At that moment I could feel her falling asleep in my arms.
At that moment, it really didn't matter that we need the tree stump in the front yard ground down, and would love a larger back yard. Nor that we haven't gotten that piano yet, nor the whirlpool for my achy shoulders.
At that moment all that really mattered is that she (we) liked "this place".....the house? The position we were in? The way we felt in our souls? The moment as it was. Exactly as it was.
It's a good place to be in.

Miss Independence




We spent the 4th at my brother and sis-in-law's house, up north. We had purchased fireworks the day before, and found out that no fireworks could be set off in their county. The county display was not even going to be happening this year, all due to the fires.
When we got home, we invited our friends over the next night, and had our own fireworks display.




So, we actually had two 4th's!
And getting together with family AND good friends was as good as Christmas and Christmas Eve!



Cady and her cousin at the pool, on the 4th.

One of Cady's dance classes is all about beginning ballet and tap dance. The Kinder dance teacher comes to the school, and teaches the positions with song and poetry. There was a very small performance at her preschool, for the parents to see what the children are learning. She's learned almost all of the ballet positions. Her feet are always positioned correctly. She was very proud of herself when we watched her perform. I was too.

It's been eery here lately. There are fires all thru California, mostly up north. There have been up to 1,700 natural fires in the past 3 weeks. This isn't really normal for California. I've lived here all my life, and I've never seen it like this. It all started 3 weeks ago, with dry lightening in several places. We haven't seen blue skies more than 3 or 4 days since then. And because of the smoke from the fires, the heat of the sun is getting trapped, making it hotter than normal. The air quality is considered unhealthy, and people are cautioned to stay indoors as much as possible.
We have some pictures from a few weeks ago, when Cady tried out her new Slip-'N-Slide. And just looking at the pictures makes me feel cooler.




Other than that, I have to admit, this child's smile is full of sunshine! I just love her smile.