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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Calapitters and Flutterbyes

okay - she doesn't say either of those words that cute anymore - but the M-girl IS having a super cute few days anyway!

Back at Christmastime we were the lucky recipients of a few "educational" toys - some aquasaurs (which I'm sure will be LOTS of fun eventually) and a Butterfly Treehouse.  The only problem with this second one is that you have to be awesome enough to actually send away for the larvae...  
have I ever mentioned that I'm REALLY bad about getting myself to the post office... it's more than 5 minutes away (7 actually) which means it's a "trip" and not just an errand...   Okay, it's really just because I hate long lines... really hate them!

So yesterday as we walked the kids to school we saw a number of caterpillars on the sidewalk...
on the way there I just advocated not squishing them, but on the way home with just me and the mighty M...  we got brave enough to grab a few to bring them home.

Karma intervened quickly since before I even got home I got a call from the school because H had forgotten something...  that was my payback for making her walk I think...

We stalled  just long enough to pop the caterpillars into this:
and then by the time we got home from school the caterpillars were hanging out at the top...

I warned M that she would have to be patient - this could take awhile right.  We might be baby-sitting caterpillars for a few weeks before we see changes!  So she talked to them, sang them songs, and even showed them some pictures in her story book.

and by the end of the day all 3 caterpillars were spinning cocoons...  what a good little mommy she is!

This morning - they're  no fun anymore...  all encased in their little cocoons they can't even see the pictures and she doesn't want to disturb their sleep with her songs...

apparently THIS is going to be the boring part...  how long do these puppies take to hatch anyway?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed that you got them in cocoons in just one day! With her luck, you'll have monarchs flying around by Friday! (Actually, I have no idea how long that process really takes, but I suggest you check out Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar for inspiration!)

Barbaloot said...

What a cool---toy? Would you call it a toy? Or a decoration? Either way, it's cool. And props to you for picking up/touching caterpillars!

LBBlum said...

we raised baby caterpillars too--
I'm trying to think.. maybe a week?You will know it is getting close when the cocoon isn't green anymore- it becomes transparent and you will see the butterfly inside! VERY cool!

LBBlum said...

Hey T
I just put pictures up from our butterfly experience-- if you want to see what to expect .. how you will know..
very exciting!

just the five of us said...

Oh how fun! I did a butterfly unit in school and the kids love it when they come out of the chrysallis! It will be a picture moment when you release those butterflies☺

Missty said...

Wow, very cool!! Loved your post over on Venus vs Mars today.

a Tonggu Momma said...

You know the Tongginator would be ALL OVER THIS ONE!!!!!!