I love playing with my tree frogs. I go out, and start calling them, and they sing back. I love how nature works. The second they sense water......can be rain or me just watering the flowers.....they start up their mating calls. Isn't that wild? They must be able to smell or hear water and know that their eggs might have a chance to survive, and they start singing. Even if I water with the hose for just a short time, they start singing.

Anna Welcome Back!! I was pretty good this year (not counting Komoriya bulbs of course) I got about 15 this year, about half being Israeli bulbs which I seem to have good luck with. And of course my aulicum form Telos and 2 Pixies as well as a few from a nursery. Just one bad experience with a Double Dream I bought at the nursery. As carefully as I inspected it must have had a spot of rot and it was in the back when I set it down. Yesterday when I happened to turn the bulb around I was horrified! Surgery was performed but the bulb is a mess. Last year I had trouble with my Double Dream too and I really like it as it's the closest thing to Maguire's Indian Fairy out there. So I will keep trying; at least they are selling them more places these days. Of this year's bulbs an Evergreen will be the first to bloom... Donna I also meant to welcome Rob back to the forum too..so welcome back!!...and Fred!!

What a coincidence, I almost started a toad thread too.. :) Last week I walked out on my front sidewalk at night and what looked like a leaf suddenly hopped into the garden bed when I walked by! It was a big fat toad! I was so excited because he is the first toad I've seen in the yard after living here almost 5 years. I even put a large plant saucer down on the ground last year and fill it with water so the toads would access to water. (The birds drink from it sometimes too.) I think he might be living under the bulb and daylily foliage. Of course I had to run and grab the camera -

Hi Habibi, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes! Well, first I think, that his ex-wife is behaving toward you that way, because you rose with your pregnancy from being "just his girlfriend" to being "the mother of his next child". This gives you an "equal status" she could enjoy before and I believe, that's where her behaviour toward you can come from. Secondly, I do not think, you should have birthdays in your own home, but rather on neutral territory; there is no need, this person enters your home. And then at last... about your stepdaughter. Well, she is only 6. I do not think, 5 more "reserved" days at your house, a playmate (your daughter) and a hired babysitter is enough to think, you have the "right" to keep her. Let her go. If she only in that moment thought, she cannot be without Mommy, then be it. Respect the girls opinions and recognize her feelings (although they might be shortlived!). She might have regretted it the next day, that she didn't stay with your daughter... but then again... how will she learn about own decision-making and about consequenses?? To put her 101 times into a room (as someone else suggested) doesn't make her learn from own experience! Of course, after 101 times she will be obedient... but what did she really learn? Anyway... your husband shouldn't be offended or something. I think we have to just recognize the child's feelings a bit more and trust her, that she made a right decision (although it did cost you a babysitter! And although you might have had other plans for those days...). To let her make her own decisions, doesn't make her a spoiled kid! Long term that child will be more confident in his self, more determined and will eventually make "good" decisions, you will very much approve (I talk from own experience!). This child just has some issues and expressed them in a different way (whining, nail biting). She has already enough issues on her own (divorced parents, new stepmom, new stepdad or boyfriend of mom, probably issues in kindergarten/school... who knows...). Just do not make her add one more thing to that list. Hope, I could help you with a probably a bit different perspective. Conny P.s. I added an interesting link... a good read for this pregancy!