Posted in School Stuff

When I walked out into our backyard a couple of weeks ago, I saw this.

I have been told that this is a banana spider.  If I was a good homeschooling momma, the boys would draw this in their nature notebooks along with the proper latin name.  Next we would add a diagram of the different parts and research the diet of said spider.

But I'm lazy... Instead, David and I gathered the boys around to point out this huge spider and gigantomongo web.  He then picked up a small branch and threw it into the web.  I kid you not, that branch just stuck to that superstrong web!  And the seemingly sleeping spider was right on top of it before you could even blink!  Zowie. 

The branch did tear a good size hole in the web, but when we looked at it again a couple of hours later it was completely repaired.

On another note, we saw this creature slithering away from the trampoline.  Can you tell what it is?



Yup, that is a copperhead snake with its head halfchopped by a shovel.   Not as pretty as the CORAL SNAKE we killed in the front yard a couple of weeks before, but they both had one thing in common-- they both ended up dead.  Oh, and while I don't really know what snake tastes like, I can tell you that their meat really does look like chicken!

SO, who wants to come over and play outside with us? :-)

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Comments

Posted by westward

Aaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by chickadee

you got some great pictures! i would chance it as long as the snakes stay outdoors where they belong!

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Posted by BritishColumbia

As much as I appreciate the invite, I think I'll pass. I'm kinda creeped out!!

Kathleen
http://www.kateyz.blogspot.com

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Posted by tiredmom

You can keep the snakes! My dear son wanted to get a snake and he was told, sure, just as soon as you get an apartment!

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Posted by nsremom

I'm sufficiently creeped out, thankyouverymuch.

Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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Posted by deedeeuk

Maybe I'll rethink that visit next Christmas! LOL! Unless of course all these guys hibernate or something in December! I don't do snakes and spiders! (Rats either!)

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Posted by Dad

A copperhead snake and a coral snake???? I wonder why you didn't tell mom and I about those!!!!! :)
Was this the new house or the old? Either house, it is scary!

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Posted by Ruth

Too funny! Does anyone want to come over for dinner? I'm not sure you will get many takers on that.
Ruth

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Posted by stillgrowing

Uhhhhhhh

Not me!

Marsha, here in Longview we just don't have those kind of creatures! And even if we did, though I'm a homeschool mom, I just prefer the hands OFF, several-feet-away approach, okay? I'm definitely not a bug-lovin' mom, just ask my son! On Sunday, my sweet son found a beetle, about an inch and a half long outside of our church, and what did the little angel do? Oh no, he didn't step on the thing and crush the life out of it, uh-uh-uh, he PICKED IT UP AND PUT IT RIGHT IN MY CUP HOLDER IN OUR VAN, RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE I SIT, so that I would look down and see it there! What a rum one, huh? I jumped about a foot and screamed, and he was laughing like a hyena on caffeine! Bad boy.

That's it for me!

Stay safe. It's a jungle out there. Especially where you live!!

Leanne

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Posted by OurLittleSchoolRoom

If there is one thing I am totally afraid of, and absolutely abhor, it is snakes! I don't even tolerate grass snakes. Scared stiff of snakes in general--comes from an early life spent in Africa, I am sure, where almost all snakes are poisonous. Kill first, identify later. Yuck, yuck, yuck!

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Posted by Jimmie

Gee, Marsha! Snakes and spiders in one entry! You are a good HS mom. You did an experiment with the web! :-)

My DD is looking on and says, "I am scared of spiders, but this one was on a screen, so I'm not scared. Snake -- ooh so creepy! It gives me the heebie jeebies!"

Man, that's your YARD? I guess it gives new meaning to "Just go outside and play in the yard."

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Posted by Homeschooling6

Hey, you sound like me about the whole notebook thing with drawing the spider and all. Loved it! So I'm not the only lazy mama out there.Yahoo!

I will have to show Ethan the pictures.He loves spiders.
Thanks for sharing,
Linda<><

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Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS

So did you know it was a copperhead before you killed it .. or did you kill it and than go research it. i am wondering cause I wouldn't know. I don't really want to now except I am a home school mom and that is something I should do.
Good for you!
Love,
Maria

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Posted by CaptainMike

I (actually my mom who is hijacking my blog) just tried to order popcorn online , and the online product options are different than if buying from door to door. (Buying door to door prices start at $9, but online it's higher).
Also, I don't see the option to send directly to troops from the internet ordering, but you can ship it to anyone else.
We didn't know that ahead of time. Sorry for confusion!
Capain Mike's mom :)
P.S. speaking as the mom, not captain mike, ewwwww on the snakes. I can't do Texas Sized Critters!

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Posted by FruitfulFamily

I haven't seen any snakes, but "Charlotte" has made a web right out from our back door. Nice to meet you.

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Posted by skdenfeld

Speechless.

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Posted by SuperAngel

Whoa.. that is pretty neat. It is really awesome how we can learn everything by just doing everyday things, like looking at a spider. I am sure the boys learned something even if you didn't have them get stuff out to study it!!
RYC:
I wholeheartedly agree. There is plenty of improvement for me, but I love me!!
I am like you were. I am friends with everyone. But somehow I still got labeled preppy.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate it!!
Love,
SuperDuperAngel

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Posted by amatthia

ummm......I don't want to come and play in your back yard, LOL. I really don't like spiders and I am not to fond of snakes either....but that spider was pretty cool....in a picture ;-)

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Posted by moreofhim

Wowie!! I thought it was dangerous living in Arizona!! I think the spider would really freak me out!!! The snakes wouldn't do too much for my heart, either!

You have an award! Go to my blog to see it!

God bless ~ Julie

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Posted by Keri

Oh...
my critter lovers would love it,
both the spider and the snake!

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Posted by Dawnelle

That spider and snake made me shudder (great pics of the spider, by the way).

Neat blog- I found you through Amber. I'll be back!

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Posted by mamaclsn

Snakes i can handle...but that spider is creeping me out.

Hope you are enjoying the fall...it should only be about 90 degrees out there now, right? :o)

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Posted by Anonymous

Cool Spider!

Snake -- not so cool! We founda copperhead either last year or the year before. Actually my Mom found it. She was sweeping her patio downstairs and moved the grill to sweep under it. There was a copperhead all coiled up ready to strike. He received the same fate as your copperhead. It's really creepy to watch them slither away with their head chopped off though....

Teresa
http://vaqueenbee.blogspot.com

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Posted by Jocelyndixon

Oh my word... lovely thing to walk into! lol
I actually like spiders.... they eat bugs! LOL

And, could I please have your address? I'd like too send you a "thank you" for the GC, and there is no way to talk me outta it... you can give it to me: missjocelyn@kconline.com, here!

Love,
Jocelyn

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Posted by jaminacema

<<Hey, did you ever do MASH? You know... mansion, apartment, shack, house??? And you draw that spiral and count the rings?>>

Never heard of it! Can you tell me more???

Jamin

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Posted by mom2chris

How creepy! But your children sure are adorable. :)

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Posted by Anonymous

Spiders and snakes? I wouldn't notebook it either.
At least, not until they were dead and pinned to a cork board.... outside!

I have the heebegebies now!

Amy Grant Bayliss
www.inpursuitofproverbs31.com

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Posted by mycrazylife

Now I know what you got livin' over there, I think I'll have to pass!

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Posted by Anonymous

It seems to me that all your kids are learning is how to kill wild life. Why not teach them how to respect it! and remove it from your yard in a more humane way!!

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