R.I.P.

At first we thought that it would be a joyful day, we found "Baby Caterpillar" in the dirt of the pot, seemingly well, eating dill. However, when we went our to find put him back on a leaf, at baby-bees request, she was no where to be found. Then, we saw a very bloated and leaky figure laying on its side.

Mommy, "Girls, I have some sad news. Mommy and Sister Caterpillar are fine, but I'm afraid that baby Caterpillar died."

Baby-Bee, "Oh no, i think that we have to take her to the Dr, because she died"

Ms. Bean, "yes, we need to go to the caterpillar veterinarian."

Baby-Bee, "Yes, the cute and tiny black veterinarian"

Ms. Bean, "Can I watch another Max and Ruby"

Baby-Bee, "Yeah, Max and Ruby"!

I'll miss you Baby-Caterpillar! Mom

REWARD

Have you seen me? "Baby Caterpillar". Disappeared from home (deck) between 10:00 pm May 29 and May 30 at 7:00 am, 2007. Family wants her back! Reward for any information!

Baby Bee's Pets

My Parents went to Eastern Europe a couple weeks ago, and entrusted us with 2 of their herb plants. The day after they left, I noticed that there were a few very tiny bugs on the leafs, and went to "remove" them. Baby Bee, who was with me at the time, would have no part of that! She declared that they were her "friends", and began to speak with them daily as they GREW. Two and a half weeks later, we have three pet Black Swallowtail caterpillars and a rather sad looking Dill Plant. The Caterpillars are of different shapes and sizes, and are absolutely adored by Baby Bee (and the rest of us are pretty fond of them as well).

This is "Mommy Caterpillar" and "Sister Caterpillar"



Here is "Baby Caterpillar"



Here is a pencil and "Mommy Caterpillars", so you can see how enormous she is (you can actually notice them grow overnight! "Mommy Caterpillar was the size of "baby caterpillar" when she came to stay with is).



Here is a pencil and "baby caterpillar",



and, here is "sister caterpillar", from another angle,



My parents are returning home from their Eastern European adventure this evening. Tomorrow, I will be buying them a new Dill Plant.

Hunters - I still get mad thinking about them!

About 15 years ago, I lived on a farm in Southern Maryland. It was there that I had a real opportunity to observe deer, and their amazing presence. It was during that time that I also learned to DETEST guns, and hunters.

Every year after Thanksgiving, the gross redneck hunters would line the neighboring properties, and squeal when they "got one", all the while chewing tobacco and smelling like Budweiser. They also voted republican.

I was reminded of that time last weekend when I shot these photos with the girls at Oxon Hill Farm. How anyone can find joy in the destruction of something this amazing is beyond me.

Hits of 07-08

I miss the Caps! There is something about the off season that leaves me empty, and uninspired. Fortunately, the Washington Capitals no have their own YouTube station, and they are busy populating it with "best of moments". This is my favorite, to date:

still concerned

Since posting this yesterday, I have heard from 2 friends, both with kids, who recommended getting Leah tested for an Iron Deficiency. Supposedly, the desire to eat the bizarre is a symptom. So, I will be making an appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow! Thanks everyone for their good advice.

Keep you posted!

D

P.S. because someone is going to ask ................ today's school report was that she ate Play dough. She apologized to her teacher very politely an explained "it's just that the play dough tasted just like Spaghetti".

Should I be Concerned?

Note home:

"Leah had a very good day. She told me that Ms. Susie is coming home in 2 days (a week and a half, but that's not what I am concerned about). She played in the sensory table for a few minutes, but I had to redirect her to another area because she was drinking water. After our activities today she found a chalk and I caught her eating the chalk. I'm concerned about this habit that Leah has. Hopefully she'll grow out of it."

Is this normal? Every day I get a note home, telling me that Leah spends her days putting everything that she isn't supposed to eat into her mouth. The same report tells me that she NEVER eats her lunch. Clearly, she plans to spend her life eating sand/dirt/mulch/worms/chalk, and drinking bath-water! Could she have a vitamin disorder or psychological problem that is manifesting itself in this odd culinary pallet? Has anyone else experienced this type of problem with their 3 year old? Please advise.

Diane

Note to Susie on Vacation - Day 3

Dear Susie - I hope you have a good trip and I cant wait for you to come home. Give me a big hug when you come home and I hope you have a good toy to bring to me. Love, Sarah

Note to Susie and Papa on Vacation - Day 1

Dear Susie and Papa - I hope you have a good trip and I hope you have lots of fun. Love, Sarah

Good bye Susie. Good bye Papa. Love, Leah

Happy Mothers Day! We miss you already, but know that you are going to have a wonderful trip. We are all fine, new plants on deck and a little rose bush in the middle of the outdoor table. The kids are dictating to me in the dark, and I am on the floor of their bedroom typing when we are supposed to be sleeping. I guess we are all a little "off".

XOXO Diane and the Dorfs

Note Home

5/5/08

"Leah likes to eat the sand and the mulch. Today I called her attention twice and redirected her twice from the sand and from the tree trunks at the playground."

Do you think this is because she has yet to discover paste?