Toad's Tadpoles

06/24/2026

if you're finding yourself spending too much time inside with the kids in this heat and rain, make the most of your screentime by tuning into this live feed of the penguin exhibit at the moody gardens!

Plan your trip: https://www.moodygardens.com/More LIVE Webcams: ht...

06/12/2026

A child with a fixed mindset thinks, “If I’m not good at it, I should stop.”
A child with a growth mindset learns, “I’m not good at it yet, but I can keep learning.” 🧠

The words we use matter. When we praise effort, curiosity, persistence, and problem-solving, not just results.. we help children see challenges as opportunities instead of proof that they can’t do something.

The goal isn’t raising kids who always get it right. It’s raising kids who aren’t afraid to keep trying. 💛

06/12/2026

The hardest part of parenting isn’t controlling your child. It’s trusting the process. ❤️

Let them make mistakes.
Let them feel disappointed.
Let them solve problems.
Let them have opinions of their own.

Because our goal isn’t to raise children who always need us to step in.. it’s to raise children who trust themselves when we step back.

Growth happens in the space between our urge to rescue and their opportunity to learn.

✨ Sometimes the most powerful parenting move is simply: Let them.

06/12/2026

🌿 Native Vine Spotlight 🌿
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet Creeper is a native woody deciduous vine in the Bignonia family (Bignoniaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama, occuring in a variety of habitats from floodplain forests to disturbed urban woodlands.

This native is polarizing because it is a high-climbing, aggressively colonizing woody vine growing up to 35 ft., climbing or scrambling over everything in its path by aerial rootlets. So aggressive that many people mistake it to be invasive and it has earned the common names Hellvine and Devil's Shoestring.

HOWEVER, like all native species it has its place and purpose even if you decide that place is not in YOUR own landscape.

(I personally love it! Who's surprised? 🤣)

🌿Wildlife Associations & Ecological Value:
~ The bright orange-red flowers of Campsis radicans are a favorite among hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, providing them with a rich source of nectar.
~ This vine serves as a larval host that supports the Trumpet Vine Sphinx Moth (Paratraea plebeja)
~ The dense foliage offers shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.
~ As a native plant, it supports local ecosystems and contributes to soil health by preventing erosion with its extensive root system.

🌿 Landscape Value:
~ The trumpet flower vine's vibrant blooms and lush green foliage add a dramatic and exotic touch to any garden, creating a stunning visual impact.
~ Perfect for arbors, trellises, fences, and pergolas, it can climb and cover unsightly structures, adding beauty and privacy.
~ Once established, it's drought-tolerant and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners.

Structure notes!!
This species climbs by means of aerial rootlets, which, like English Ivy, can damage wood, stone, and brick. To keep it in check, plant it near concrete or an area that you can mow; mowing down the suckers will discourage them.

If you have the space, consider embracing the beauty and ecological benefits of Campsis radicans in your garden.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026