A few weeks ago I introduced you to the caterpillars that were to be our butterfly family of 2012. Well this is the continuation of their story. We had eight caterpillars in all and each of them turned into beautiful butterflies. When I asked Mr. A when he thought we should release them he gave me a day nearly two weeks out! I was not so into the idea of having to feed and maintain butterflies for that long but I went with it. However, about three days in he surprised me. The weather was gorgeous and there was a perfect breeze. We had been playing outside all afternoon after school and when we came in we went up to his room to feed the butterflies. He surprised me by saying "Mom, we should really let them go today.... It's the right thing to do" How sweet. My heart melted just a little bit. Now, hubby will tell you there was a little of (what he calls) jedi-mind tricking going on on my part. You see, while we were outside playing that day I mused about what a beautiful day it was and how much the butterflies would love this kind of weather...
Here are a few pictures of our butterfly family from this year. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Raising butterflies is a project that, for us, never gets old. Mr. A enjoyed it so much this year we may even order another batch of caterpillars and have a second go of it later in the summer. It's always amazing to see the transformation. The babycakes even enjoyed sitting with us watching the butterflies fly around their habitat on occasion. We had the added treat this year of being able to see one of the butterflies as it was emerging.
The day we let them go, it really was a beautiful day. Those butterflies were very happy to be set free. As soon as the breeze hit their habitat they started fluttering around like crazy. A few of them flew out right away and a couple needed a little hand from A (which he was happy to lend).
Now it's your turn!
We want to see your butterfly families too. If you have a post about your experience raising butterflies this year, link it up here! If you haven't raised butterflies that's ok too. Feel free to link up any butterfly craft or activity you have done recently. The linky will be open all summer (until Sept 1st) so feel free to come back and add to it, or just visit.
Beautiful photos, Jen! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Had your butterfly linky on my calendar for today already--saw it on KBN. ;-) Terrific idea! I'll add a link to my most recent butterfly post. Hoping to post one more this summer if we get our little eggs to hatch and start the whole cycle over again. Such a fun activity to do with our kiddos, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! Glad you linked up. Yes, it's one of our favorites :)
DeleteI really want to do this with my kids next year - you got some stunning photos!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you do! It's great fun. Thanks MaryAnne!
DeleteWhat a wonderful experience for your family! And how grown up for your son to change his mind the way he did and decide to let them go earlier than planned.
ReplyDeleteHaha, cute right? I was surprised he did that. He was pretty set on keeping them longer at first. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThree of ours just hatched today while I was at work. Hublet sent me photos. I'm going to post about it later in the week so I'll be sure to link up. For note I've linked our butterfly play scape we did
ReplyDeleteThumb nail failed. I'll try again when I get home
DeleteLooks like you got it to work! Thanks for linking up. I can't wait to see the rest of your butterflies! How exciting they have hatched! Enjoy them :)
DeleteBeautiful! This is something I'm going to do with J once he's a bit older.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!! You totally should... I 'm sure he'd love it.
DeleteThis is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI really need to do this with my kiddos!
loved the photos!
Thanks Sherri!
DeleteBeautiful photos ~ they make me really excited to see our butterflies when they hatch out. Thanks for hosting the linky.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! So exciting to see them after they hatch. There was a lot of anticipation at our house for a few days while we waited for them :)
DeleteThe idea of a butterfly linky is a great one! The photos are very pretty! Something about butterflies is just enchanting- I love the patterns and the colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia :)
Deleteyour photos are gorgeous! We just ordered our butterflies and hope to join in the fun soon!!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you come back and link up! Thanks Melissa :)
DeleteJust pinned, Jen! Beautiful images! I remember most the butterflies my 2nd grade class raised—our little caterpillar cups taped to each of our desks. You have shared a very special—and beautiful—life process with your children. They will remember this as I remember raising my own when I was little. -heather
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much Heather! And yes, I hope this is one of the things they will remember about growing up.
DeleteWow - such beautiful pictures. Are they somehow tame? I think you have convinced me to order some for my girls.
ReplyDeleteI bet the girls would love it! You will have to let me know if you decide to get some. Such a fun experience! Not tame necessarily, some of them are just a little more docile than others and those are the ones that will usually sit on our hands for a bit before they leave us :) I did learn they use painted ladies as the butterflies for this project because they are the only ones that will eat the processed food. Interesting isn't it?
DeleteWow your pictures turned out beautiful!! I am so impressed! Beautiful post and thanks for the opportunity to link up! It was our first year doing the butterfly garden and we will for sure be doing it again next year!
ReplyDeletelove this !
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaime!
DeleteYou got some stunning pictures. It was one of the best activities we've done. Thanks for hosting the linky.
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