This weekend we took home some free ladybugs from Pike Nurseries. Well, “free with purchase ladybugs” might be more accurate. And, yes, they made each of my girls (+ their friend) ring up their packet of seeds separately since the limit was one per purchase. #facepalm
The timing of Ladybug Weekend was perfect for us since the girls and I are currently reading “James and the Giant Peach,” the story of a little boy who flies from London to New York on an overgrown peach along with a handful of giant bugs — including Miss Ladybug! (Well, technically it’s “Miss Ladybird” since the author is British, but as I read aloud, I always switch the word to “ladybug” because it’s confusing to us Yanks, haha!) Actually, as a habit, I find that I have to edit as I read quite a bit — authors are always saying “dummy” or “stupid” or referencing someone smoking or being mean or dying. I usually chalk it up to changing times (we’ve become so much more gentle these days, which I love) — although on occasion I do have to shake my head because modern authors should know better. (I’m looking at you, “Junie B. Jones and The Stupid Smelly Bus.”)
As we released the ladybugs into our front porch planters, they climbed all over Cricket (the Mother of Ladybugs), making her giggle quite a bit. She wasn’t terrified or freaked out at all. She kept peering at each one, examining them until she found what she was looking for. “THIS one is Miss Ladybug!” she finally announced. And I grinned because I knew exactly what was going on in her little imagination in that moment.
