The Secret Laboratory

I went to the garage to ask Marcus if he’d seen my running shoes and instead found what can only be described as a clandestine entomological research facility.

The Secret Laboratory

Apparently while we’ve been focused on Sophie’s teenage drama and my gym selfies, Theo has been quietly building the world’s most comprehensive backyard insect collection.

The kid had specimens I didn’t even know existed in our neighborhood.

The evidence

Marcus went from confused to impressed to slightly concerned in the span of about thirty seconds. ‘Is that… is that a praying mantis?’ he kept asking, like Theo was going to reveal he’d been conducting illegal experiments.

Of course, this is the same child who once brought a frog to church and told Abuela Rosa it was ‘research.’

Scientific examination in progress

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree - Marcus’s hobby graveyard just got some serious competition.

The full scale of operation bug lab

Though I have to admit, at least Theo’s collection is actually growing instead of gathering dust like someone’s sourdough equipment.

We’ve negotiated the terms: the bugs can stay, but they’re moving to the back corner of the garage and we’re implementing a strict ‘no specimens in the house’ policy. Biscuit has been suspiciously interested in the jars, and I refuse to deal with that particular chaos.