A Bug's Life
While doing some yard work the other day I happened upon an interesting little find. I'd not seen one of these little guys since I was a kid and thought my kids might enjoy getting to see one close up. They remembered Mantis from our recent trip to see Kung Fu Panda (which I highly recommend to anyone--no movie reviews here just go see it, it's really good.) They really are pretty wicked looking up close. Intimidating, even.My hunch was more than correct as the kids oohed and ahhed over the mantis for quite some time. They squealed every time the little guy would make a move or crawl across their arms. Zoë and Zia quickly lost interest though and went about the task of avoiding sunlight and trying to sneak back into the house playing their girly games. To be quite honest, it was pretty warm outside so I can't blame them.
Zane, however, befriended the little mantis and spent the better part of two hours playing with it. He even gave it a name--Manty Matisse. The kid is all boy! A welcome respite after having to constantly deal with the more feminine issues of Zoë, Zia and Zella. Issues like "can you hlep me put this dress back on Dolly?" or "can you fix my hair?", "Daddy, let's play tea party." Don't get me wrong, I love playing with my girls and indulging their.....well, girlness. But sometimes it's just nice to play with a bug!
Zane sure had a blast.
Fortunately, I was able to convince Zane at day's end that the Mantis should be left outside. He was disappointed but aquiessed and left Manty on a tree.
Posted by Zoe's Dad at Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:00 PM and is filed under mantis,Praying mantis,Kung Fu Panda,boys and bugs 
Wow, I've never seen a real one up close, although It woud scare the pants off me if it just surprised me. We just have boring slugs and snails over here, and the odd hairy caterpillar in the summer.
I'd love to show Zane the old salt on a slug trick--we don't have any slugs around though.
I am not a huge insect fan as it is.....BUT... mantises just freak me out. I don't like them one iota. Next time I see one I will Fed-Ex it to Zane!
Is "mantises" the correct plural? I'd look it up but I'd probably see yet more images of those creepy buggers.
I believe the proper plural is Mantii. (I just made that up, I have no idea.)
Cool! I have never seen one in real life. Glad to hear he was left in his own world and not kidnapped to a jar.
He was pretty cute. When I asked hime where it went he told me that he put him in a nice tree where it looked like he would be happy. The kid is all heart.
I am going to pull a total girl on you and go AHHHH!
Glad Zane enjoyed it but you wouldn't have seen me run away I would have been so fast!
and Kung Fu Panda was good, we enjoyed it too!
In all honesty, I was a bit freaked at first but tried not to let it show. Had it been a snake--I would have piddled myself and run.
How cool! We haven't some one in our neck of the woods this year. We had a similar experience last year with our oldest girl making friends with Mr. Mantis.
Our kids love bugs.
It was funny to see him just take to the bug. Not a care in the world.