A few weeks ago, our very special long awaited arrival arrived! Caterpillars! Madilyn was checking the mail for weeks after sending her check in the mail, handling every package we received with extra care, just in case they were them and finally they were them, and 10 of them at that! It was a very exciting process getting those little baby caterpillars.
and after looking the little ones over for quite some time, on the mantel they went. And there they sat as they were watched, checked on and talked to daily. There those fuzzy little babies grew and grew
until they were so big it was time to form cocoons
and when all the caterpillars had formed their chrysalis, they were ready to move to the butterfly garden. James and Madilyn cleaned them up and hung the in the garden with a pin.
Madilyn found flowers and sticks from outside to help make their home nice and comfy
and about 7 days later they were born again, this time out came all 10 beautiful orange, white and black butterflies!
we gave them a day to get their wings nice and strong and then we decided it would be best to free them, we just couldn't keep such pretty butterflies in such a small area. I opened the top of the garden and one flew right out. The kids were absolutely giddy with excitement as they followed it around the backyard and watched it land happily on a tree in the afternoon sunshine.
we gave them a day to get their wings nice and strong and then we decided it would be best to free them, we just couldn't keep such pretty butterflies in such a small area. I opened the top of the garden and one flew right out. The kids were absolutely giddy with excitement as they followed it around the backyard and watched it land happily on a tree in the afternoon sunshine.
then James took the next one out and let the kids get a closer look and soon the kids were taking turns freeing the butterflies too. Such gorgeous and amazing little creatures.
(if you click on the pictures you can get a closer look)
most of the butterflies flew off pretty quickly, but one special little lady stayed and we were able to pass her around the whole family
and to make this experience even more special, my littlest babe got to be apart of it all. At only 4 months our little man had a very gracious butterfly perch right on top of his sweet head. The butterfly stayed right there and showed off her beautiful wings for us all to see
little Ave was loving all the attention and smiles around him, although he must be used to that I'm sure.
These are those special moments I know I will always remember.
