It was glorious.
So when we finally found another larva this week, the girls were Thu-rilled!
We put him in a little container. And the girls immediately ran around and found food for him, got him a climbing stick, and promptly removed him from the care of their little sister, Raegan (aka Pet Killer...as she squashed Charis's caterpillar between her curious little fingers last week).
You would have thought we just spent the big bucks on an exotic animal. Seriously, you should have seen it. They went into warp-speed veterinarian mode. And I was getting play-by-play accounts, keeping me up-to-date on the status of the little bugger.
"The shell !! It has a crack in it....I can see it cracking!"
This is where you hear the pitter-patter of multiple sets of little feet as they all run back to the front living room to lovingly watch their new pet.
"...Now we're seeing a little orange!! I see color!! It's coming! It's coming!!"
Running. Happy Screams. Running.
"Yes! We're sure of it! He's coming! Get the camera!! Can you see it? He's coming out!!"
But that, sadly enough, is where it all stopped.
Apparently the cicada was a little overwhelmed with all the attention? 'cause it died. Mid new-life-emerging stage thingy.
And can I just say that the girls acted as if I was Evil itself because I voiced the simple suggestion that perhaps the little guy had passed on?
To see their facial expression and watch their body language, you would have thought I had just said "You know what? I'm thinking of ripping his head off, mkay?"
Yep. I went from Most Loved One for finding him to Hateful Mean Mommy for suggesting he was no longer with us. especially when I finally had to say, "Look, I'm sorry, but he really IS dead. Raegan's hitting him with a stick and he's not even moving. I'm taking him outside."
Oh, the looks of horror.
I'm sorry, little guy. R.I.P.
And uh, Lord? If you would happen to hand-deliver another cicada, I'd be most appreciative. Better yet. We're studying aquatic animals this year. Wanna hook me up with some sea life?
Just make sure it's healthy, kay? Or at least fit to eat. *wink*
