Entymophagy 101

We went to Purdue today for the Bug Bowl. Although the entymology department puts it on every year, this is the first time we've gone. For Andrew, it was three hours of bliss, and an excuse to eat bugs. We recoiled in horror as he swallowed worms and crickets with reckless abandon. We also watched in wonder as he informed (and sometimes corrected) college students about insect origins and habits.

In Indiana, we sometimes spit crickets out of our mouths to impress our friends and neighbors. Just kidding. But there is a cricket spitting contest at the Bug Bowl. Emma joined Andrew in the cricket spitting contest, because she is exceedingly brave. Although if the crickets had been alive, she says she wouldn't have done it.

Stoked.

Emma's cricket carcass flew 3'2", and Andrew's went 3'3". Into a strong headwind. Emma says she forgot to blow air while the cricket was leaving her mouth, so it could have gone farther. I think if we go back the kiddos should try removing the cricket appendages before spitting--this would make the crickets more aerodynamic, and it would prevent pictures like this:

This is Emma after she spat. You'll want to click on the photo to see what's dangling from her lips. Yep, that's a cricket leg. That is probably why she is not smiling. And yes, call me callous for taking a photo before I told her there was a cricket leg on her mouth, but the photo is so worth it.

Mealworm brownie. He couldn't finish because it was "too chocolatey." Seriously.

Tastes like chicken. Just kidding. He said this worm and potato mix tasted like french fries. We took his word for it.

More madness. Crickets on a stick, covered in chocolate. Whatever.

Meanwhile, Ethan decided he wants a pet bunny.

Sophie rode on a pony called Abe.

Enough of the rainbows and unicorns. Emma held a millipede, although not one of the poisonous ones.

I was holding the camera, so I couldn't play with the tarantula. Maybe next year.

In his element.