Ladybug Land, Part I






















So, one of the great things about this age--the ages of almost 2 and 4--is that ultimately, gifts don't matter. The price, the number, the quality... Twizzlers rank high, a simple balloon competes, and breakfast for dinner seems like a fiesta! Therefore, when it came to Elsie's birthday (besides the pony party), we didn't sweat the gifts--there were some great treats from friends and family, but from us, there were a handful of new bath toys and this most spectacular of gifts: Ladybug Land.

This is $15-20 at Amazon and is a really fun gift for the whole family. We purchased it for Elsie to open and then sent away for ladybug larvae. Over the course of ten days, we watched the ladybugs transform and become pupa and then bugs and then bugs with wings. It was a blast to witness! We fed them water and then raisins. Then, we released them in our yard. Here you'll see photos of day one--setting up the land.

A warning--Butterfly World seems like a good idea but don't go there. Evidently, butterflies bleed when escaping their cocoons and the experience can be troubling and difficult to explain to small children.

And Barbara--don't get any ideas... this will be coming to Bryce for Christmas!