Thursday, November 6, 2008

Science Lesson







This was the coolest praying mantis ever! I don't think I've seen one this big before, and I swear it was tame! The kids all sat in a circle, and I set the praying mantis down in the middle of the circle onto the floor. Instead of trying to run away, it would hop over to one of the kids and climb into his or her hand. It climbed all over all the kids and touched their hair and faces with its amazing, little hands. Riley stood in the circle instead of sitting down, so the praying mantis hopped over to Riley, climbed his pants leg, went up his shirt, and sat on his shoulder rubbing on Riley's long hair. It was just amazing to watch! The twins are usually cautious around animals and creatures of all sorts, but this guy (actually probably a girl) was so friendly, they warmed right up to it. Ephraim was fascinated, although I didn't let him touch it. I was afraid he might love on it just a bit too hard. I had a hard time getting pictures of it because each time I would squat down to take a picture, it would run towards me, and once it saw the flash, it wanted to investigate the camera. The kids all played with it for over an hour before we took it back outside, and not once during that time did the mantis ever try to run away!

1 comment:

Laura said...

Oh my gosh, this is SO cool! )I realize that makes me sound like a 12 year old.) :) I LOVE praying mantises. We have them here and I think they are so neat. That is a HUGE one! How great that you were able to let all of the kids explore. I don't like bugs AT ALL, but a praying mantis and a ladybug...love them. I found a praying mantis that didn't quite make it floating in our fountain and I nearly cried. (Not to much sadness for his fellow victim, the scorpion, though!)

Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker

Referral Picture

Referral Picture

Adoption Timeline

  • 2006
  • November 8 - Application Mailed
  • November 22 - Accepted
  • November 24 - I-600A Mailed
  • November 27 - Delivery Confirmed
  • November 28 - Receipt of I-600A
  • November 30 - Fingerprint Notice
  • December 15 - Home Study Update
  • December 21 - Stacey Fingerprinted
  • December 28 - Added to List (#116)
  • 2007
  • January 24 - Home Study Mailed
  • January 25 - Ben Fingerprinted
  • February 8 - Waiting List (#111)
  • February 20 - Waiting List (#109)
  • February 27 - Waiting List (#105)
  • March 8 - Waiting List (#101)
  • March 22 - Waiting List (#99)
  • April 19 - Waiting List (#98)
  • April 25 - Dossier Authentication
  • May 2 - Delivery Confirmed
  • May 2 - Added to SN Wait List
  • May 3 - Waiting List (#97)
  • June 7 - Waiting List (#86)
  • June 25 - Dossier Translated
  • June 28 - On Waiting List Six months
  • July 9 - Waiting List (#81)
  • August 6 - Waiting List (#4 SN)
  • August 8 - Waiting List (#76)
  • September 7 - Waiting List (#70)
  • October 8 - Waiting List (#67)
  • October 22 - Waiting child -- OURS!!
  • October 23 - Official Referral Date
  • October 25 - Letter #1 Submitted
  • October 29 - Referral Receipt - CHI
  • 2008
  • February 5 - Fingerprint Request
  • February 7 - Proof of Delivery
  • March 1 - All Fingerprinted
  • March 3 - I-600 Application Mailed
  • March 5 - I-600 Acknowledgement
  • April 17 - I-600 Approval!
  • May 2 - Original G & R Date
  • May 3 - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
  • May 5 - MEET EPHRAIM!
  • May 6 - Drive to Kien Giang
  • May 7 - G & R Ceremony
  • May 8 - Medical, Apply for Passport
  • May 12 - Fly to Hanoi
  • May 13 - Visa appointment at USCIS
  • May 14 - Pick Up Visa, Fly Home
  • May 15 - Arrive in Nashville!
  • May 23 - Certificate of Citizenship
  • June 12 - Re-Adoption Filed by Court
  • July 3 - Tennessee Birth Certificate

G & R Day

G & R Day