Catching Frogs

Kids and frogs. In the grand tradition of Mark Twain, they just go together. Their interactions are a blur of darting hands, splashes, leaps, giggles, and screams as slimy bodies shoot out of grasping hands back to the freedom of the water. How could something so simple have delighted children for untold hours and across the decades and maybe even centuries?


Our kids got to get lots of frog experience at the cabin. We found a couple on our hikes, but the real amphibian bonanza was at the creek outside our cabin. They caught probably 30 frogs in less than an hour our last morning there.

Max is our expert frogger. He has quick hands and a good eye. If there is a frog out there, he'll catch it over and over again. Frogs must roll their eyes resignedly as he approaches, sighing "Here we go again."


Camille is not quite as expert as Max, but she's no girly girl when it comes to frogs. She'll generally capture what she's after and is perfectly comfortable holding them. The discomfort on the face in the picture below is more about the camera than the frog.


Elise . . . well, she's our screamer. She likes to look at them, but doesn't really want one touching her skin. They seem to know that, too. Whenever a frog would come shooting out of someone's hands, it would invariably fly right at Elise, who would run away screaming girly screams.


Cameron was a fascinated and delighted watcher, but after the first touch wasn't interesting in repeating the experience. At least he didn't scream.


Natalie loved the frogs. She'd let them sit on her hands or would grasp their legs and extend them ('Gently, Natalie!) curiously. But, after watching Elise's performances, She'd walk up to the frog, fake scream and pretend to run away.

Poor Frogs. I'll bet they were sure glad to see us leave!

Until next year!