My Grandma would go out with me to catch fireflies or let Daddy Long Legs crawl up my arm. She would give each little critter a story about how they were probably going home for dinner, or playing outside with their friends. I remember my Dad would also take me out after a summer rain, to pick up worms or catch frogs.
I don't know if they did this so that I would have a respect for nature, or maybe they just didn't want me to scream when I saw a bug. I'm not really sure. Sometimes it makes my husband crazy though. It's much easier for him to just step on a spider in the bathroom, rather than to have to carefully carry it outside.
A couple of weeks ago, my parents were visiting and my Dad wanted to make a cup of coffee. He looked everywhere for our sugar shaker but couldn't find it. I ended up searching the kitchen for days. Common sense tells you that with four young kids, the last place you look for something is in the most obvious spot. I had eventually given up the search. It was nowhere to be found...unnnntil today.
I walked into our bedroom to find Ethan and Preston on the floor together. They were looking at something and saying, "Let's put them out to play." I bent down and whispered, "What's going on guys?"
"Look, Mom! ANTS!"
"What?! What are you talking about?"
"Right HERE! Look at the ants!"
Sure enough, they were right. A couple of itty bitty little ants were crawling around.
Thinking that there had to be some source of food to attract them, I looked under the bed...and of course...you guessed it. Why WOULDN'T the sugar shaker be under there? Anyone will tell you it's the perfect spot.
I yelled out, "WHO did this?" Our three year old, Lauren Elizabeth was standing in the doorway and happily shouted, "Der it IS!"
The kids and I tried to find any other ants so we could take them out back, while my husband thought we were crazy as he went to get the vacuum.
Everything is fine now and the sugar (and the ants) are gone. I'm glad to see the kids grow in their interest and respect for nature though.
I'm sure that they'll have many more opportunities to bond, just as long as Lauren Elizabeth can get her hands on that sugar shaker again. I can only imagine where we'll find it next.