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Once again, this year we decided to grow our butterflies. Keegan really would like a pet, so that was my concession. (-: We only got 5 this time, but it was still very fun. One of the caterpillars was much smaller than the others, so we ended up having and watching butterflies for quite a while, almost two full weeks.

Once again, they arrived in a cup, filled with food. And once again they did not do anything but wiggle and eat (and poop, as Keegan promptly added). They changed skins multiple times and finally hung upside down as chrysalis. This is when we moved them in their mesh habitat and waited.

Finally, within a week, the first 4 emerged as beautiful Painted Ladies butterflies. We enjoyed watching them flutter around, and we fed them sugar water and fresh flowers.

We waited day after day, hoping the last, little one, would emerge, but to no avail. They were in their pavilion for so long (almost a full week) they started to mate. It was interesting explaining Keegan what they were doing. We settled on” they are kissing and getting married”. Keegan noticed that, together, they formed a heart shape.

Finally, worried they would try to lay eggs inside, we released them in the front yard. This time they were ready, and flew right out. One one needed a little help, and Keegan was happy to lend a hand.

It was a pretty sunny day, and we had many plants in full bloom: it was as if we brought them to a Las Vegas All You Can Eat Buffet, and they lingered a while, flying from flower to flower.

Keegan smiling next to “his” butterfly, enjoying the jasmine in the garden

Keegan was a little sad, but we still had one left. And sure enough, just as we let the others go, the last one came out of her chrysalis, and we got to enjoy it for many more days.