Tag Archives: frog

Something Not Mint To Be on Labor Day

We have had a garden full of mint in our backyard for several years. Starting with nothing, it took over everything until all we had was a very fresh garden.

mint, healthy, food, herbs, garden

Avery and I reaped the benefits of mint almost daily by pulling leaves and eating them right on the spot. I’d pick some for her…

mint, healthy, herbs, parenting, real food

…then she’d return the favor. Or should I say flavor?

DSC_0179

Having grown tired of our giant mint garden and wanting more diversity, Going Mom decided having so much of this herb just wasn’t mint to be. With a hoe in both hands and determination annihilate our herbal haven, off she went. But she had to stop for a mo-mint when two big frogs appeared from deep within the bug-rich soil.

DSC_1559

At the announcement of her amphibious discovery, Avery appeared as if out of nowhere to see. She loves finding and catching frogs, lizards, and, much to Mommy’s dismay, snakes. Yes, Daddy loves reptiles and it seems I passed the love down to our daughter. Snakes might be off limits, but Going Mom gets along with frogs, so she caught one for Avery to pet.

DSC_1536

We need to remind her not to pet the eye, but besides that Avery is fairly gentle.

DSC_1533

The frogs felt otherwise, and struggled to escape. Kelley could only hold on for so long, but Avery was adamant about catching them herself.

DSC_1530

She tried, tried some more, and tried again after that, but these big jumpers did not want to play on Labor Day. We tried to explain that the frogs don’t like to be picked up and just want to be left alone, but Avery was like….

DSC_1550

It’s understandable, playing with new creatures is fun and is a wonderful experience, but we must respect them too. My wife worked around the frogs that refused to leave the garden and removed all of the mint just as she said she would. We still have basil in one spot, but for now, no more mint for Avery and I to snack on.

We can get over the lack of mint, but I was concerned the frogs only liked their fresh abode because of the fragrant herb. But, after a short break, we returned to check on the guys and found a new sign posted.

frogs, puns, mint, garden, funny

Guess they still like the spot. Bad news for them since we’ll plant new produce soon. Not sure what, but hopefully it grows as well as their minty predecessor.

Labor Day was fairly low key besides the garden and lots of backyard play. Just how we like it. Now it’s time to find something to plant for the Fall. Any good ideas?

Dear Frog, I’m Sorry For Killing You

We’ve had a frog friend around our home for almost a year and always enjoyed searching for him when we went outside each day. Avery was a tad bit reluctant to get close to the frog at first, and I’m sure I didn’t help matters much.


As a reptile/amphibian lover, I couldn’t accept her not liking our new froggy friend, so I would gently hold him up to her hoping she’d find the courage to pet the little guy.

petting frog, kids, amphibian, reptiles

I was just happy when she didn’t run the other way when I held him up to her. At a safe distance, of course.

petting frog, kids, amphibian, reptiles
Yes, Dad, I see it. That’s far enough!

Over the months, she found enjoyment searching for Mr. Frog burrowed in one of his several spots in our backyard. For a while, her and Going Mom would find him in a hole at the base of one of our trees. They’d peek down inside and tell him “hi”……he never responded.

Eventually, the frog made use of our rain barrel by seeking shelter underneath the raised water capture device while enjoying the perfect amount of shade and moisture. Every time I mowed our lawn, Avery would follow and find him venturing out from his hiding spot. Maybe to say hello, but I’m thinking the mower had something to do with it.

Sometimes he’d be burrowed in a muddy spot right in front of us and we would never see him until he finally spooked and jumped away to the safety of the rain barrel cover. Then we’d just get on our hands and knees, to stare at him as most likely hoped we just left him alone. Normally, we stopped trying to pester our amphibious friend, unless he reemerged from under the barrel.

A video posted by RC Liley (@going_dad) on


I’m just happy she’s into the cold-blooded insect eater now. Every dad’s dream, right?

Well, this dad I know…aka me…..put an end to our froggy fun this past weekend. I was mowing in the back like normal, careful to check all around the area Mr. Frog hung around before passing over, but never saw his bumpy skinned self in sight. So I carried on with mowing expecting to see him later when all of the sudden I hear “thump-a-dee-thud-thud-errrrr” emit from the blades.

Sh*t

Out of the side discharge shot Mr. Frog, or what was left of him. Apparently, he found a new spot to burrow. Unfortunately, it was not as muddy there and he couldn’t burrow himself down enough to allow the mower to make a clean pass. That was the end of our backyard frog friend. At least we still have the burrow spot to keep him in our thoughts.

dead_frog_burrow

Avery was there, but her attention was devoted to screaming “dandelion” at the top of her lungs as she just recently learned their name and loves picking them. Plus, she still doesn’t understand death, even after seeing the frog’s torn carcass.

So, frog, my friend (we’re still friends, right?), I just want to personally say Sorry. Had I known you were in a new spot in our yard, I totally would of avoided mowing there or tried to relocate you. Most likely holding and petting you first, but still, safe and still alive. Again, sorry, and I hope you’re in some sort of  special froggy land catching the juiciest of flies with that extra long and sticky tongue of yours..

The good news is that we still have a frog at the front of our house. We see him sitting on our front porch each night as we finish dinner, and Avery makes sure to say goodnight to him with Mommy before her bath. Hopefully he doesn’t find a new spot to hang out next time we mow!!

Have you ever killed a wild yard-dweller by accident?

What about on purpose?