legs!

Well, I think I've officially lost track of the days (weeks, months...) we've been raising these little guys. I know they are very delayed for sure. The batches we gave to two other families are well ahead in development, some are nearly full grown frogs. Nevertheless, we do have some progress, hind legs have developed on most of our tadpoles recently. They are now carnivorous, eating blood worms which we feed them daily.

I don't know what we've done "wrong" with these guys that has resulted in them being so behind, but it isn't for lack of trying. We've tested about every variable in their living conditions possible:

-cleaning the water more frequently
-leaving the water alone and letting it get slimy and green
-using water from different sources: stream, pond, lake, river and de-chlorinated tap water
-we've had the tank inside and outside
-installed a filter and bubbler
-no filter or bubbler
-feeding algae wafers
-adding rocks/plants
-no rocks/plants

I've noticed the greatest growth spurts have occurred consistently during the first few days after a water change, then it slows again. That could just be coincidental though.

The pump I bought (brand new) a few weeks ago to filter and oxygenate the water stopped working yesterday. I'm guessing the motor burnt out from being overworked. Or it could have been faulty. Either way, I didn't keep the receipt so can't bring it back and am not buying another one. So they'll have to do the rest of their growing in still water that I'll change up for fresh every few days. This is getting to be a drag and a lot more work than reward. Still, we'll keep at it and hopefully soon we'll have frogs to admire and then release.

Aren't those little legs adorable though?

the essentials

Sunday started with some Essential Calvin and Hobbes for K who is teaching himself to read these days: "Mama, there are words that, no matter how I try, I will never get out of my head. When I look at them, I just know what they are, and I always will now. No matter what."....

...and ended with a new little friend who we'd never met before. This guy's a banded alder borer beetle. He was very friendly and very, very handsome with his black and white suit on. We learned a little about him, found out where he likes to live, what he likes to eat, what he looks like when he's a baby... and then we let him go.

viewing the moon

K gazes at the moonscape through a homemade telescope

Tonight we had the pleasure of joining up with some local Astronomer Society Members for their monthly moon viewing. We were treated to all kinds of knowledge about the stars and the planets which are most visible this month from where we live. Earlier in the evening we were able to view the moon's various bumps and craters with breathtaking clarity and after dusk we actually got to see Saturn and its rings, which was a complete thrill! It was great fun to be out late chatting about space with others are passionate about studying it and are excited to share it with anyone who is interested (and has a LOT of questions, like we do).

The boys agreed with me that we'll need to make it a regular thing to attend the viewing nights. There is so much to see and to learn about out there in this amazing universe we are part of and this experience has definitely served to whet our appetites for more.