Flies and fly traps

My son loves pets. All kinds–snails, frogs, mice, and even pet eggs that you, “have to keep in the fridge because it’s cold and that’s where they like to sleep.”

Unfortunately, he likes pet flies too.

A while ago, he caught what he called, “a cute little fruit fly,” and made a home for it (in one of my food storage containers), complete with sugar water and a pile of animal circus cookies, “in case he gets hungry.”

cookies

The fly didn’t last long.

But that didn’t stop my son from looking for another pet.

A couple weeks ago, I came downstairs to find him in the kitchen, and this on the center island:

fly catcher

(Notice the glue on the counter.)

When I asked him what he was doing, he said, “I’m making a fly catcher, so I can save them instead of swatting them.”

I explained that, in fact, I didn’t want him catching and saving flies.

At all.

Ever again. (And then I had him clean the counter.)

But the no-fly rule was harder to enforce than I thought.

Because when I looked up at the fruit bowl and realized it had a big clump of tape in it–sticky-side-up–waiting for the next unsuspecting “pet” to land.

And the tape wasn’t just on the bowl, either. He’d posted little fly-traps all around the kitchen–the fridge, the dishwasher, even along the edges of the counter.

“Those are so when they land, I can catch them without hurting them,” he explained.

I guess I should look on the bright side and appreciate the fact that he has such a sweet heart and doesn’t want to hurt even a fly. But I will tell you that Mike and I are starting to think getting a dog might be a good idea. :)

Comments

  1. That is adorable! You have a little inventor on your hands! Little boys are soooo much fun. (After you tear your hair out, or suppress the urge to explode, and only then you can look back and laugh.):-)

  2. What a smart little cutie! I love that he glued the cup on the swatter! That's so innovative.

  3. What a funny little guy you have! The bright side is how gentle and sweet he is with all living things. Take it from a mom in a two-dog household…we LOVE our doggies! They are both such a fabulous part of our family…each with their own individual, unique personalities…just like the rest of us. Go for the dog!!! :)

  4. ♥ That cracks me up!!! My kids like to save rollie pollie bugs! They were out side all day this summer collecting them in a water bottle then wated to bring them inside! It didn't happen but man they had a ton!

  5. That is so cute- I love how his mind works! It reminds me of my 6 year old. I am always finding little inventions around the house. Mine loves our dogs, probably spends more time with them than anyone else in the family, but he still finds time to make up a ton of contraptions. but, who knows, maybe that plan will work for you. In my experience, there will also be a lot of experiments that go along with having a dog, such as – how fast can I go if I tie the dog to my bike, etc.

  6. On the upside, you will never have worry about your boy lacking in creativity or the ability to "think outside of the box." The skills he is forming now will carry him far in life. :)-Francesca

  7. Jen

    Oh that is the cutest thing ever and so something that my son would do. He too has a great love of pets and collecting them.

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