Charlie's Back for a Pre-Birthday Visit

Annika is "a little" over her Charlie fascination.  It's been a couple of years since we've seen a praying mantis in our yard.  Of course, out of politeness, we invite all visiting praying mantes in for a visit before letting them loose in our yard.  It's not as funny as when Annika was three and kept a praying mantis, dubbed "Charlie" by her, on her head while playing with her toys.

Annika acquiesced and allowed us to take pictures of her with Charlie on her head and leg, this time with a big smile - showing off the lost tooth from earlier in the day.

Charlie? Is That You?

Charlie came back this year.  After being MIA for a couple of summers, look who turned up at our door.  Check out previous posts about Charlie to get the scoop.  He spent a little time on Annika this evening before being taken back outdoors.

Charlietime

Charlie came back for a weekend visit at the Chung house. We were very accommodating for our unexpected company. The girls played well with Charlie and, on more than one occasion, Annika asked if Charlie could share her room. As good parents, we intervened and said no, that was not appropriate.

Finally, it was time to say good-bye to Charlie. Annika gave him a final tour of the family room and the girls chimed together their farewells. Talk about a long goodbye...

"It's Charlie"

How many times in life can you open your door to find not only an authentic chimney sweeper but one who has a picture of Charlie on his truck? Annika was very exciting to see her beloved praying mantis (OK, we know it's a cricket, but she hasn't figured out the difference).

The chimney sweeper was here to see our neighbor's house. He did pause to serenade the song Chim-Chim-eree to Annika before school. Annika was beaming and a bit bewildered.

The chimney sweeper will be back next week to come to our house.

"Charlie, meet Pengu"

In another installment of the life of Charlie, a praying mantis, Annika did the formal thing and introduced the new boy to her ever-present plastic mascot, Pengu. Her introduction speech was eloquent and short and included a notable warning about not eating Pengu. Annika was ever brave and took Charlie on a tour of the house with the best view - from her head. She showed Charlie where Morgan sleeps. We were sure they were visiting the fairy green hokus room from the full lung screams we heard from Morgan. Such is our Labor Day.

This evening we watched the repeat of the Vikings-Cowboys game on NFL network. It is not often that we will be able to watch an entire game without significant interruptions. I pulled out the 12-18 month clothes for Ingrid, admiring the cold weather items and wondering if we'll get to use them before she outgrows them. I was wishing for some cold fall breeze to try out the fleece jacket and pumpkin sweatshirt. These belonged to Annika only you wouldn't realize it because they still have their tags! At 95 degrees average, it was not possible for Annika to wear her Halloween sweatshirt before the big day. Afterward it didn't seem right and then she promptly grew. We get another shot at it with Ingrid. That the beauty of handmedown clothes. Want to go shopping? Just head to the attic and find the right container.

Our day ended with baths and the goodbye ceremony for Charlie who gained his freedom after a day he'll never forget. How many praying mantis' do you know that can say they spent a day in a jar with a penguin?

Charlie

Woody found a very, very bright, green grasshopper near our car at the DoReMi market in Los Angeles. We were buying some last produce and meat to drive back to Arizona. Annika enjoyed looking at the grasshopper in the parking lot. While holding it, the back legs came off but the grasshopper somehow survived. Annika held it in her hand for the short drive to Woody's parents. Her Harmony (grandmother) was less than enthused about the grasshopper in the house. Harabagee was amused. Annika was then coaxed up to James' room to show him. Since James keeps artist hours, inevitably, he was sleeping. So she came back down so we could say our last good-byes and start the drive to Phoenix. We put Ingrid in her carseat and Annika settled in with the grasshopper in a cup. We stopped for some ice and food. Annika decided she wanted to name the grasshopper Charlie. We were laughing so hard as she introduced "Charlie" to everyone else in the car. Then Woody put holes in a water bottle and gave it to Annika to keep Charlie. Annika took out the book of DVD's to show "Charlie" so he could pick a movie. Finally, many hours later, Annika crashed out while drawing pictures and we allowed "Charlie" an escape. Probably a bit cruel considering the leg mishap and the dramatic change in temperature from L.A. to the desert areas of Arizona.