Skateboarding and Butterflies

My sister, Susan, being the active mom with at least one tot that she is, comes across deals on kids' activities. One such activity was an introduction to skateboarding. We drug along cousin Brian and met uncle Mike and cousin Rooney at an indoor skate park in Bellevue. The above picture was captured as Felix rolled down one ramp, zipped across the floor, and then up the ramp you see him heading for (yes, in that direction). If you look closely, you can see Mike and Rooney goofing off in the background.

When we first arrived, Felix stated that he did not want to do it and that he would sit back and watch. He then watched as some of the other kids, with their safety gear donned, climbed around on the ramps. At that point he agreed to at least put on his gear, he could then at least go play with the other kids; which they did quite a bit of. They climbed to the tops of the ramps and slid down on their knees. But as the instructors were able to coax some of the kids into braving a ride, Felix came around and made several runs. The kids were instructed to crouch down, hold onto each end of the board, and to look in the direction of travel as the instructor released them from the top of a small ramp. As Tru gained confidence, he would release his grip on the board and keep his arms out for balance.

Back in March for his birthday, Felix was presented with a butterfly cage from his Grandma Peggie. The gift included a coupon that you sent in and redeemed for caterpillars. When the five tiny larvae arrived, they were in a sealed plastic jar that included a thick slab of food paste at the bottom. It wasn't long before the caterpillars began to stir. They quickly gobbled up the food paste and became fat and grew several times the size they were when they arrived. They began to spin webs and eventually encased themselves in a chrysalis. Renae and Felix gently moved the cocoons to the butterfly cage where they would eventually emerge. It didn't take long for the butterflies to emerge. Felix was so excited and told anyone who would listen about his Painted Ladies. After caring for them for a few days, Felix eventually released them.