Today we had lazy day! We weren't sure what the weather was going to do so we didn't want to get too far- even though we've been dying to go catch minnows and crayfish again!

We had some new friends come for a visit, Zorabella and Franziska- they are very sweet little girls that will be in kindergarten and second grade this year. I think they'll get along great with all of our friends. They even told me that they have had several pet praying mantis at their house! Doesn't that sound like the perfect family to join our group?

After our free play and morning walk around the neighborhood we read the book "Waiting For Wings" and sang our butterfly song at group time and then split up and had some of our friends do some butterfly and cocoon art, while our other friends played with toys in the playroom. Our sensory bean box was filled with magic jewels today so many of our friends really enjoyed searching for magic jewels. It was a good math activity too- lots of counting, sorting, and pattern making going on!

After our activities we had a little bit of free play on the playground while lunch was being made and we found the greatest of treasures! Many many many cicada shells! I remember last year around this time when finding a cicada was like finding gold- I think that's about the same this year. The children were amazed! Last year we watched the cicada come out of it's golden shell right before our very eyes, it only takes a few minutes!