Stella and the Lobster

Stella met her first lobster last night!

At first glance she was quite nervous about it. Her face went from excitement, after being told there were three new lobster friends for the evening to being scared. When they came out of the bag, she got a look of complete fear on her face. Poor girl, who could blame her really though because for one she lives with a mom who is vegan and Stella, herself, is vegetarian so lobster is not a creature that has visited us before!! Second, those claws are menacing looking.
She ended up doing fine with them, being able to touch their tales, their backs and antennas. They got cooked up outside, which Stella and I did not partake in. I actually became a little sad (in true vegan fashion) but the science behind things is also quite intriguing. While they were cooking up, Stella got to watch a little PBS after a long, hot day outside to relax a little. Oddly enough, there was a show on lobsters! Perfect timing and we all actually got enthralled with the program and it not only assuaged her fears, but we all learned something. I really enjoyed learning how the lobsters have to be a particular size to keep and also if they have eggs, they must go back. We got to see a female lobster covered in eggs on her underside.
Stella was so interested in the lobsters, that she actually found it hard to concentrate on her own food. Yes, that is tomato soup in her bowl on a super hot, humid and muggy summer day! Kids choose the oddest foods sometimes.
She was able to partake in cracking parts of the shell, removing the meat and plopping in into the butter.
Scott got to partake in eating every last bit of lobster goodness from the three he brought home.
Stella did a great job helping with the lobsters and for her reward, she got to have one to play with!! She totally became the little scientist that she is and investigated it, turning it over, touching the antennas, eyes, legs and making it walk. She even went in for a little kiss.
As much as I don't like eating animals, I do find it fascinating to watch Stella interact with her surroundings. Going from excited to nervous and back to excited after being informed a little about the lobsters. Information is key and I loved watching her conquer a fear through knowledge and get to explore and have fun with this new experience. Next on the list is to have Grampa over to have some lobster fun!!!