Some time ago the poor puppies "took one for the team" and accepted banishment behind the wire fence, which has allowed our kids what every kid wants: more "free range time" outside to explore, learn, aggravate their allergies, and terrify wildlife, without getting their faces vigorously licked by two overly adoring canine companions. Last night we took the kids outside for a few minutes before dinner, at which point I found one of the small hop-toads that serenade us every summer night. The kids encircled the little guy the moment they heard the word "frog," and squealed and laughed with delight.
Both kids loved the novelty of a living, moving target, but Justin was terribly conflicted. He couldn't decide whether to jump for joy, run away, or whack him over the head with his yellow shovel, so he tried all three simultaneously. We didn't catch that on video, but you can see evidence of all three inclinations in these videos. He only dared to touch the toad twice, and did so as if he thought it would electrocute him.
Norah is not quite as spooked by living creatures, in fact she showed no fear and a surprisingly gentle grip for an almost 3 year old. She mimicked Daddy's technique and carefully carried him all around the yard before proposing that he should be released back into the pond. Gentle or not, I was worried that she might try to throw him into the pond (surrounded by sharp rocks) from the yard, so I had to give some precautionary advice. My concerns were unfounded though as she and Justin marched to the pond edge and successfully released him. The toad was somewhat uncooperative and needed a little coaxing, but thankfully he plunged into the water and proceeded to serenade us for the remainder of the evening.
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