Caterpillars (with videos working!)

First we gave them lots of milkweed:

Then they were full, and started to do this:

See how the left one is very dark? That's from the butterfly wing pattern, the shell was increasingly transparent.

And then he snuck out while we were eating lunch!

The videos work now! I fixed it. I know I shouldn't brag, but I'm very pleased to have solved a technical problem. Very pleased.

We were determined not to miss the second one's debut, and got this cool video:

 and the release:

Two empty cocoons!

Mash-up

This is a very mild version of it, but Lukas is a very gifted masher-upper. He know 1,000 songs, and they flit about in his mind, changing tune and words (usually more than Dodo, as in this video) mid phrase. I hope he never loses this skill. This particular mash-up was inspired by Melissa the Cat and George the Curious.

Dinosaur + Fire hat + Tricycle = Wee-ooo

Theo's Walking Progress

These were his first with-help steps. He doesn't like to walk with out hands. Why not pick him up if we're going to hold on to him?! Now he will take 2 steps by himself. But with 4 rapid forms of crawling, what's the rush to walk?

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

My favorite part about Mother's Day (the children):

My other favorite part about Mother's Day (the appreciative husband who gave me a big beautiful red flower):

May

The miscellaneous photos from May. As usual, photo quality is that of my phone, and which is allowed by two wiggly boys, but I've said lots of times now this is not a blog with the aim of earning $$, rather used as the family photo album. 

Theo has a birthday banner with his monthly photos. I copied Emily Larson. Mercy says I should add to it each year. We'll see if I can find it in a year. 

I just love overalls. 

We were outside all winter, but as soon as it warmed up, we were OUTSIDE. See the big boy laying in the grass? This is delight in warmth, and though it appears brown, delight in green life. This was in the bird sanctuary by Lake Harriet, a favorite walk.

Isn't he cute in Jesse's hat?!

Watermelon!!

Auntie Phyllis and Miss Dinah hatch chicks with their 3rd Graders each year, and we love to visit them. Theo wanted to attack them, Lukas was appropriately apprehensive of their pecking beaks. Mama held them and washed hands thoroughly afterward. 

We aim to visit the "beach" (quotes for those who do not consider lakes to have beaches) once per week. It was easy the week of Memorial Day, when it was in the 90s. It's been cooler since, but we still really enjoy it!!

Big one washing dishes, little one eating.