Start of Summer and a Butterfly Update

We've finally made it to the start of summer! Everyone but Christian slept in this morning. He was up with the dawn and ready to go. By the time he got me up he had fed the cats, uncovered the birds and fed his fish. I wonder how long this will last!

We celebrated his birthday on the 15th.

You always know they're going to grow up too fast, but it's still sad. I can't believe he's eight.

The last week of school was full of parties, water balloons and lots of anticipation. This morning Mackenzie started to cry because she "misses Mrs. Sobota."

Our summer plans include a visit from the Washington grandchildren and lots of time in the back yard. The first day of summer vacation always feels so special.

A butterfly update. We now have three chrysalises (or the dictionary's preferred form: chrysalides). Observe:

If you look very closely (in person, you might not be able to do it online), you can see the pattern on the butterfly's wings inside. Also, the little white band on the uppe right actually looks like a string of little gold beads. We've been very lucky to be able to watch all of this. There are two more caterpillars in the planter, so it hasn't finished yet.

Caterpillar Update

Now there are six, and they're getting huge!

Backyard Wild Kingdom

It may not be Marlin Perkins caliber, but our wildlife adventures have certainly been fun.

Do you see caterpillars? My neighbor promised that if we planted milkweed, Monarch caterpillars woud follow:

You have to look very carefully.

Our other new "pets" are tadpoles.

There are daily treks to the creek. Could this water be any more disgusting?