The Butterfly Whisperer

Our house has been caterpillar central this spring. Furry little creatures EVERYWHERE! And we just love them - especially Liam.

We know all about caterpillars and butterflies from one of our favo[u]rite books, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. So when we [Liam] spotted the first one of the season at the park, he was completely smitten, and begged to bring him home. Luckily we found the type of leaf he liked to eat so we could take care of him properly.















































The next couple of days brought many more - and Liam continued to collect them and put them in our little homemade caterpillar house.



Mommy began to worry the little guys may not survive in their little shoebox (though Liam made it very cozy for them with leaves and sticks). So one night she set them free. Liam was not happy but surprisingly understood (such a compassionate little boy). To make up for it, Mommy mail-ordered caterpillars complete with food and instructions (yes, you can buy caterpillars).

Soon they arrived in our mailbox and we watched them grow from tiny little caterpillars, to big fat ones. When they ran out of food (and left a bunch of caterpillar poop) they crawled to the top of the jar and built their cocoons. Once the cocoons crystallized, Mommy transferred them to a new home, where they became butterflies. It was so cool watching them wiggle their way out. We were a little worried, but every single caterpillar made it.

Liam had the magic touch. He would set his hand out, and they would crawl onto his arm. He'd carefully walk around (even eat lunch) with his new little friends until they decided to fly away. Liam was very proud of his little butterflies and not sad at all when they went off into the wild.