Butterfly's

We released this years butterfly's on Sunday. In all the years we've been doping this (I think 12 or 13) I have never seen one actually come out of the chrysalis. This time I was upstairs one day, brushing my teeth, and the kids were downstairs with Denalee (babysitter) when I came down they were looking at one that had just come out! I couldn't believe I missed it! At least they got to see it, and we watched it over the course of about 1/2 an hour slowly unfurl it's wings and start moving around.

We let them go after they had all hatched out. I love to let the kids hold them before they fly away. This is always the highlight of the whole experience.

Jacob went first - he was delighted, and (remarkably) so very gentle. I grabbed the camera, and took one picture. I realized the flash was on, and looked down to turn it off - when the butterfly flew away. I thought I'd give him another one to get good pictures - but as I was giving them to the girls, a few neighbor kids came over and I let them hold them - then forgot to ever go back to Jacob for another turn & a better photo - so here's a bad shot of him as he watched it fly away.

Can you see his cute cheeks smiling? What a beautiful boy.

He named two of them. He called them "Vampire, Vampire" and "Colin."

Emily (covered in poison ivy rash) - holding "her" butterfly that she named "Paint."

I think this is the first year Jane has held one. She named hers "Jane."

Trying to give it a kiss. She's such a little mother to everything.

Rick even got in on the act this year.

Maybe I'll get another batch of caterpillars so I can get some pictures of Jacob.
It really is worth recording when he's spontaneously gentle!