Bye, Bye, Butterfly

Patiently waiting as we said our goodbyes.

Last summer at Target, I bought a butterfly house on clearance and tucked it away for a rainy day. The Little Nguyens found it in a closet a few weeks back on just one of those days. Caterpillars and butterflies were always fun when I taught, and both of the Little Nguyens experienced that same excitement in their own classrooms this spring. But who could ever tire of watching very hungry caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies? So, we sent the card in to the caterpillar company and had our caterpillars in just a few days' time.

Hop on our hands! We'll bring you out!

The caterpillars amazed us all as we watched them quadruple their size in just a week. Then, Grandma B. came to visit and she got to see them crawling around and eventually making their way to the top of their house to begin their metamorphosis. I think it was almost more amazing to watch her reactions than the Little Nguyens! A few days before she had to leave, four of the butterflies were "borned" (as the Second Little Nguyen described). They fluttered about gracefully for several days and we put some fragrant blossoms in their house. After a near-death experience with a saucer of shallow sugar water, we rescued one of them who had gotten stuck and was "turned over" in it! WHEW! Thank goodness.

The gentle hands of the First Little Nguyen...

Spread your wings and fly!

Well, yesterday was a beautiful, sunny afternoon, and we decided it was time for our little friends to discover the world. The Little Nguyens took the butterfly house outside, argued a little about who would get to unzip the door, and then finally began the liberation of our five Painted Lady butterflies. One frantically fluttered out almost immediately. The second and third were more patient, perching themselves on a carnation and the First Little Nguyen's hand, letting us say our sweet goodbyes slowly. The fourth and fifth were hesitant to leave, but finally flew out and around the yard in dizzying circles and swoops.

Wings spread on a sweet carnation, lingering to say goodbye...

Who knows where they are now....hopefully safe from the rain somewhere.