The Very Hungry Caterpillar

About 4 weeks ago we got a very special package in the mail. Caterpillars! I saw this idea on another blog. You can order live caterpillars and watch them spin their cocoon...(actually they are called chrysalis (very educated on the butterfly life cycle now:) and watch them turn into butterflies. You can get the kit HERE for about $11. You get the butterfly house in the mail and a certificate to order the caterpillars. You need about 3-4 weeks where you will be home so its cool that you can order the caterpillars when you are ready. It is very easy to do and we had great success. All 5 caterpillars did exactly what they were supposed to do:) We set them free on Wednesday and they flew away to start the life cycle again. At first the kids were reluctant to let them go, but then I explained to them that they needed to find their butterfly friends.  And the great thing is that when we are ready we can order more caterpillars to do it all over again.

They started out as humble little caterpillars. That's their food at that bottom.

They crawl to the top of their cup and hardened into their chrysalis.

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  Our first guy hatched you can see his chrysalis on the paper towel. We were never able to catch them as they emerged.

  
  

  

  Painted Lady butterflies.

  
  

  

  Still waiting for the late bloomers

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Senior portrait pose:)

  
  
  
  
  

  

  About to set them free

  
  

  

  They were reluctant at first, but then they flew the coop pretty fast!

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  This was the last butterfly. He stayed around our back yard for a little so we could take a picture and then he was off:)