Having a (Soggy) Ball

On this my son’s birthday, we’re having a ball. But for the first time ever, he’s not getting a party — instead we’re declaring this day his day, and he gets to dictate everything we do for the entire day. (Basically he gets to boss us all around, and that’s a dream come true for the youngest and smallest of our family.)

But outside, nature is still putting on a party!

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The Goldenball Leadtree decided that this year it would finally show off the little yellow puffballs for which it was named. They are stunning against the darker green leaves.

But we’ve had a fair amount of rain the past 24 hours, and it turns out it’s become a bad hair day for the little goldenballs.

wetgoldenball05-15-10.jpgThe dill is putting on a spectacular fireworks display, both of seedheads and new batches of swallowtail caterpillars. I know I’m destined to have dill everywhere, but for all those wonderful butterflies, it’s so worth it. There are so many caterpillars, it’s too hard to count!

dillfireworks05-15-10.jpgThe caterpillars made sure to take a shower and get all clean for my son’s birthday.

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wetswallowcatb05-15-10.jpgA monarch caterpillar munches on milkweed — our first of the season! Soon it will be dressed in chrysalis, a fine look for a birthday.

 
monarch05-15-10.jpgOver in the veggie garden, the green lacewings are lined up to join the party. One of them was already dancing — it might be a lacewing birthday, too!

lacewingeggs05-15-10.jpgBehind the lacewings, the tomato plants are growing like mad, just like our birthday boy. (Yes, Draco — I’m growing tomatoes — three different varieties! I’m officially a gardener!)

tomatoes05-15-10.jpgThe young Exotic Love Vine is stretching to the trellis — when it starts to bloom, it will put on its own spectacular fireworks show.

lovevine05-15-10.jpgAnd the hypnotic scent of the Chocolate Daisy — like a warm fudgy brownie or a steaming mug of hot chocolate — is our birthday cake of the garden.

chocolatedaisy05-15-10.jpgThe little hoverfly couldn’t resist partaking in the scent, either. I don’t blame it.

chocolatedaisyb05-15-10.jpgHappy birthday, my wonderful son!

3 thoughts on “Having a (Soggy) Ball

  1. What a beautiful post. Those dripping wet caterpillars are awesome. I always like to see what you have growing because usually you introduce me to something I have never seen before, like goldenball lead tree and chocolate daisies. Happy birthday to your boy!

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