It is a grandmother's sacred duty to wreak havoc and create pandemonium whenever possible with the grandchildren. I do it well, as did my grandparents and my parents. I think it's called "payback time."Anyway - I went out yesterday in search of the perfect birthday gift, which was a package of ladybugs, as Jake Brenner is six today, and has been studying these critters at school. I thought perhaps they would come in a nice little package of 50 -100 bugs, but no. 1500 bugs, with 300 extras "just in case of high mortality."
A friend drove me, as I've been ill and couldn't drive myself - so we also stopped at the nearby supermarket. It's hot in Austin, so I had to take the bag of bugs, disguised in a plastic grocery bag, into the store. The cashier wanted to know what was in the bag (had I been shop lifting?) She nearly fainted when I pulled out the little net bag with the bugs crawling everywhere.
I didn't know it, but these things are kept in the refrigerator until ready for release, but heat wakes them up - so they were fully awake and crawling everywhere.
I put the bag into the refrigerator when I got them home, and am grateful that my daughter is a good sport (she has four brothers). When I pulled the bag out last night and gave it to the little imp, the expressions on his face were priceless when he realized it was full of bugs, alive and well - worth all of it!! The second picture is of the bugs in the bag awake and crawling - and on top of the cake box. (still in the frig.)
He and his daddy released them tonight after dark, as we were instructed - but there was a lot of howling and whining about wanting to keep them as pets. Oh dear. hee hee hee
I think tomorrow I will try to find my file of "jeweled" ladybugs on needlepoint canvas and post them as "Freebies" on the other blog. I know there is one I did from the Faberge mini-egg of a ladybug with diamonds.
10 comments:
Hi Judy,
LOL!
Great idea!
My mother and my dear Aunt (sisters) have fun giving each other fun gifts. Since my Aunt is an avid gardener, my mother has not only given her ladybugs, but worms (an idea for you for next year - google the worm lady), buffalo poop, etc.
Since I am one of the enablers in these mad adventures/gifts, this year she had me looking for Mason Bees though we found out they should have already been ordered by now.
Your grandson will always remember this as the year of the Ladybugs! My Aunt's grandchildren are still talking about the Buffalo Poop. LOL!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
I can just imagine the look on his face. Remember getting DS2 worms, his father wasn't very impressed, he didn't like them
ROFLMAO
Sorry you've not felt well, Judy. Doesn't seem to have effected your sense of humor, though.
I ordered some of those a few years back as they are very good for the garden and I also love those little bugs too.
Pierrette =^..^=
Good to see you doing your duty so well!
Happy #6 to Jake....
Thanks, Judy, for giving me a big smile this morning!
Sorry to hear that you have not been well, get well soon.
My niece is very into bugs. a couple of years ago I gave her catapilars for Christmas. She was able to observe them fattening up, turning to chrysalys and emerging as butterflies before releasing them. I got reports every few days on their progress.
She also had an ant farm at one time.
Glad to know that you take your resonsiblities as a Grandmother seriously! :-)
ROFLMAO! Good for you! That is one of those what I call "great for grandmas to do" ideas! I love it! I used to do many things like that and worse as an aunt too!
Hey Judy....just realized I'd not heard from you in a good while?? Hope all is well and the ladybugs are enjoying doing their job 'outside'. Happy Easter to you, Kimberly
(for some reason you've dropped off my following list....hmmmm)
What a great idea, Judy! We've had mealy worms in the fridge but never lady bugs. I think those might be preferable. Have a nice Easter!
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