Butterfly Class at the JC Raulston Arboretum

Weeks ago we attended an educational class at J. C. Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University (NCSU) here in Raleigh. The instructor was The Butterfly Lady. She raises butterflies and even has a butterfly house on her own property where she hosts classes on the topic. It was a fun and informative 45 minutes. At the end, we followed her outside to release some butterflies.

One of them landed on Elisabeth. She liked it at first, but when it stayed a little too long on her flowery dress she panicked.

We walked around in the arboretum afterwards where I took this photo.

At the class, the butterfly lady was selling little self contained kits with caterpillars in them for $5. I bought one, and, over the course of the next three weeks, we watched the caterpillars grow and change into chrysalis and then one day - the butterflies began to emerge. The kids and I were out when the first one emerged so daddy sent us this picture.

Related articles

• Our First Official Fishing Excursion (shannamama.blogspot.com)

Into the Mist

Wednesday, the kids had the opportunity to hang with their best buddy Livi at the Durham Museum of Life + Sciences. I think their favorite thing was the new exhibit - Into the Mist. They were nearly soaked afterwards but it served to cool us all off.

Here is my first Instagram photo to commemorate the day.....

(see full image)

Fishing with Kids at Blue Jay Point

Last weekend, we got up early-ish and went to Blue Jay Point County Park on Falls Lake to go fishing.  The weather turned out to be perfect for a July fishing trip compared to our last venture. It was overcast the whole morning with a occasional sprinkle. I took some reading material thinking I would be reading most of the time. But, the kids lost patience not long after getting just a few bites and never pulling anything to shore. So I started fishing using Elisabeth's Barbie pole and couldn't stop. I started catching little bluegill and even a couple of immature bass, and, well - I was hooked (pardon the pun). Alas, I am my father's daughter. 


The last hour, Jonah finally got bored throwing rocks and exploring the little peninsula we were on and decided to get serious about fishing again. So he sat with his pole in hand  (actually his sister's; his didn't survive last weekends trip - sorry Papaw!) and waited.  

After a few bites the bobber went under and I encouraged him to reel it in - and thank God, the fish stayed on. It brought joy to my heart to see him so excited upon reeling in his first catch. 

You can barely see the fish in this photo but it's there

He too caught the fishing fever and proceeded to catch two more little guys. Kelly got tired of fruitlessly going for the big stuff and decided he wanted to have some fun and catch something.  Mommy caught the most at 10 mostly on Elisabeth's Barbie pole no less - not much to brag about perhaps but bragging is part of fishing!

Daddy setting up the poles 

Elisabeth getting into the fishing

No swimming baby girl!

Elisabeth finding other entertainment

Before we left Blue Jay Point the kids got a little playground time. They were cracking me up on the spring animals.

A Great Deal on Kid Art

Last year, I was doing some internest shopping looking for something I could put in Elisabeth's room. I came upon an ebay listing for aBallerina print with frame and decided I liked it enough to make a bid. I won it. I only paid $9.55 (which included shipping) for an item that normally retails for $42 plus shipping. Sally Huss has some great art with content kids love that is colorful and whimsical.

Kid's Rooms: Organized and Clean

I have never really followed up with a final post on our DIY projects related to Jonah and Elisabeth's rooms. It's so fun looking through magazines and coming up with ideas for their rooms. But it's extremely impractical to really think that their rooms will ever look that stylish and clean. For one thing, when they become mobile they will leave a mess wherever they go and secondly when they learn to talk you have to start incorporating their tastes in the decor - star wars this, princess that and so on. Nevertheless, when their rooms are clean and orderly, they don't look half bad.

Speaking of clean rooms, I thought I would brag on Jonah. Last week, they asked to watch a TV show. To which I replied, "It's clean up time. After your room is clean we can watch the show." At first, Jonah wanted me to help him, but I balked saying that Elisabeth needed my help more. But I told him to just "start with the Trio Blocks and then put the books on the shelf. If you still need help when I'm finished with Elisabeth, I'll help you." Well, I don't know if the stars were aligned or he was extremely motivated or what, but before I was finished with Elisabeth in her room, Jonah asked me to come take a look at his room. And, lo and behold, it was clean. Somewhat dubious, I asked him, "So, if I open your closet I won't find things just thrown in there, right?" He indicated not. I took a peak just to be sure and no mess. (Woohoo!) He did a great job with no help from me - I'm so proud!


So here's what their "clean" rooms look like - it's not Pottery Barn, but it works.


Elisabeth's Sassy Lilac room:

The Sally Huss print I got from ebay - I love it!

This side of the room still needs something - Fancy Nancy would not approve

The chair was mine from my childhood and the lamp is from IKEA

The unicorn picture hung on my wall as a child and I decorated the dressup mirror

I just added the the flowers and butterflies to her curtains - decor from her party

Here is Jonah's:

Glow in the dark stars and planets.  Hanging shelf from IKEA.

Pirates, space, Star Wars, Atlantis LEGO, Star Trek and lamp from nursery.

He just got this poster from Grammie - I didn't realize how big it was, but we hung it.

Hand-made airplane from family, my art on the wall and LEGO's galore.

This shelf I painted and had hanging in his nursery in our first house.

Related articles

• Get Your Child to LOVE Cleaning His Room (and More) (psychologytoday.com)

Our First Official Fishing Excursion

Elisabeth got a Barbie fishing pole for her birthday, Jonah got one from Papaw during our trip to Florida, and Daddy got a rod and reel for Father's Day that he had yet to use. So, we went to Lake Raleigh on NCSU's Centennial Campus so everyone could try out their new fishing poles.

It was hot and Elisabeth got freaked out by a one-eyed, husky looking dog that she thought was a wolf.  Other than that, it was fun.

We didn't catch anything, but it was good practice!

Elisabeth's 4th Birthday Party

It was a bit warm, but we had a great time. This was our first birthday celebration with a pinata. It was a  hit (pun intended). Here's the pictures.

Photo of the Day

Periodically my husband uploads pictures from his phone to our shared photo storage site - ones that I have never seen.  Today, I stumbled upon this nice surprise.  

My Handsome Boys...

Atop Stone Mountain in Georgia taken March 2012

On the Way to Grammie's House

This was taken yesterday morning.