JIMINY CRICKETS

Mushu loves crickets.

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Thusly, in Emma's room, there is a cricket box.

You've seen cricket boxes, right?

Little square things with screen sides?

No.

That's not a cricket box.

Think Rubbermaid.

Think about 14x12x14.

With breathing holes drilled around the top.

That's our cricket box.

It currently contains 3 dozen baby crickets.

(someone farms these things?)

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The first night of cricket-feeding...Scott helped Emma.

It's a tricky procedure...grabbing those hoppers.

After you catch them, you've got to put them in a cup and shake calcium on them.

Then they're ready to serve.

Scott made the whole process look pretty simple.

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So Sunday night, Emma and Charlee took it upon themselves:

"No Daddy. We can do it."

Up they went.

To feed the bearded beast.

We heard giggles.

Then we heard nervous girls braving the cricket box.

Next we heard screaming.

Lots of it.

Then silence.

About five solid seconds of silence.

Then:

"It's okay...we got it!"

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Close eyes.

Deep breath.

I'm thinking: God gave us daddies for a reason.

Maybe one of those reasons is to handle the cricket-catching.

Just a thought.