Jefferson's first pet - if you can call it that

This arrived in the mail today. What is it? Well, it's Jefferson's first pet, honest. My Dad bought a gift for Jefferson while he was visiting here. A genuine Praying Mantis Kit.

"Raise your own live Praying Mantis! Learn about the life cycle and biology while you raise your own live pets"

Sounds pretty cool, and kind of weird at the same time. Jefferson is SO excited! I on the other hand look at this kit as a chore for me. I have a lot of work ahead of me in keeping and maintaining these creatures, thanks Dad! Don't get me wrong, I think this will be an amazing experience for Jefferson. After buying the kit, we had to send away for the praying mantis egg (a deceptive product in my opinion.... we paid for the kit not knowing we would THEN have to PAY for the eggs) anyways, it's water under the bridge. The egg case contains between 50-200 praying mantis WOW!!!!! Jefferson asked every single day if his eggs were here yet. We tied the egg case onto a stick and placed it into the habitat. The hatching should happen any time within the next two weeks. Then what do we do with up to 200 praying mantis? They suggest separating the nymphs into separate jars so they don't eat each other. I DO NOT plan on doing this. Could you imagine my entire living room covered with up to 200 jars filled with individual praying mantis.......are they joking? So, after they hatch, we plan on watching them eat each other. That is survival of the fittest, right? From there we have to feed them - "2 flies per day, or 3 flies every other day per mantis hatchling in the habitat."

So, here we go..... I think it's going to be a lot of fun for Jefferson. He's already excited and they haven't even hatched!