Butterflies

This summer we hatched butterfly caterpillars and had a grand time doing it.  We had never done this before, but the kids received a kit from Granddad and Grandma Pat for Christmas and they (ok, I was, too) eager to receive our little critters in the mail and get started.

Our caterpillars arrive with plenty of food and a cozy little  container in which to grow big and fat.

Within a few days they were big, fat, and starting to head to the top in preparation for making their chrysalises. 

Attached to the top and starting the transformation

Go, butterflies, go!

Our fully-formed chrysalises, ready to pin to the cage wall

A few days later, we had emergence.

A little gentle flapping of the wings to dry them and prepare for release

The girls set the butterflies free

We had one little gimpy guy.  We thought perhaps he'd make a nice snack for some other animal.