Turtle Tales

Our neighborhood offers several lakes with trails around them. The other night, we were walking around the lake when we spotted two large turtles. After showing the boys, we ventured on until Brode announced that he had just spotted a baby turtle in the water. Being the brave Daddy that he is, Andrew gracefully scooped him up to show the boys. 

They were so excited! Bryson kept calling it a "bug" and they both took turns holding it as we walked the rest of the way home. It was so shy and it hid in its shell. Once we returned home, Brode retrieved his bug cage and we made a nice little home for the turtle.

The turtle must have become comfortable in our home b/c he quickly poked it's head out and tried out his new habitat. The boys kept him over night and kept peeking at their new friend.

We explained how God creates every single person and animal differently and these were the markings (or paintings) drawn by Our Creator. The boys weren't the only ones impressed... Amazing.

The next day, we decided to put the turtle back where we found it so it could "go find its mommy and daddy." It was almost bitter sweet. Right before we left, we placed the turtle on the ground and watched him go. It was the cutest thing! But it was time... so Brode held his little friend and walked him back to the lake.

He tried to gently place the turtle by the water's edge but once he put him down, the little guy just rolled all the way into the water! :) Brode, a little bummed that he didn't get the proper goodbye he was looking for, was pleased to see his friend poke his head back out of the water, lift his little leg, and wave at him before swimming away for good. Now, each time we walk around the lake, the boys will say "hi" to their turtle and hope to catch another glimpse of their friend.