He's in love

with bugs.

Really any kind of bug.

But lately, he's been on a rolly-polly kick.

He finds them everywhere.
I'm convinced he'd be able to find one in the White House if he had too.  He can spot them a mile away.

Specifically he's been spotting them in the corners of the large play area at the gym. 

Now, I know that sounds gross.  Really the area he plays in is a clean place, I see them clean it and I've even seen the exterminator in there doing his job.  But these rolly-pollys find a way of getting into those unsuspecting nooks and crannies.  I really have no issues with him finding the rolly-pollys at the gym.  He's a boy.  He's like a magnet to this sort of thing.  

Each day when I go to pick him up he has made a little cup home to a few rolly-pollys.  Owen has become quite the 'bug boy' at the gym and is beginning to get a reputation with the ladies who work there and his fellow playmates for finding and catching these little bugs. 

I allow him to bring the little bugs home.  He recently got a bug catching kit from my mom.  It has come in quite handy!  We come home, put a little dirt inside, and let the rolly-pollys enjoy their new home.  My only rule is they have to be let go by the end of the day.  AND no playing with the bugs when I'm not looking.  (We've had some instances of bugs being mushed up because what was thought to be a dead bug, gets even "deader".)  The whole living and dying lesson has been taught with these bugs as well.  He now knows that bugs die.  We investigate, discuss, and observe the tiny creatures until they are ready to be released into their natural habitat. 

It's been fun watching him 'care' for his new little friends.  He enjoys seeing them "cam-o-flog" with their surroundings.  He gets utterly excited now with going to workout each day.  It's never a struggle.  Although, I've noticed that our rolly-polly count has been dwindling from day to day.  I think they've finally found their match!