![grasshoppers_6](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7737001324_2ba06baa48_z.jpg)
![grasshoppers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7737033864_811864fb12_z.jpg)
This summer has been both incredibly hot, and incredibly dry. It's been an unfortunately combination to say the least, and has left us with little time to spend outdoors, since I am deathly afraid of heat stroke and dehydration. The plus side to the drought is that we have had an abundance of grasshoppers. A crazy abundance in fact.
![grasshoppers_1](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7737029270_06a73574c8_z.jpg)
![grasshoppers_2](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7737023918_9a5549c96a_z.jpg)
yes. This is gross. Yes. I encouraged it. It won't kill him. And they love them.
My boys have delighted in being able to walk in the backyard and find little critter friends to play with. I normally let them play with them, and then we release them to "go and find their mommies." ;)
![grasshoppers_3](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7737016686_1868d7079b_z.jpg)
![grasshoppers_4](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7737012144_a1e65be077_z.jpg)
We've had a few close calls with grasshoppers in the house, something I am not open to. And I'm not going to lie... a few have lost their lives after their temporary home was left in the sunlight for an hour or two. This has lead to some traumatic moments to say the least.
![grasshoppers_7](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7736997780_96be56541e_z.jpg)
(Connor even shared his catch last night with Brayden. Nothing like a little grasshopper brotherly love)