Butterflies

We recently welcomed some insects into our home... willingly. I even paid some money for them to come.

We ordered 5 caterpillars online. They arrived in a small cup with all of their nutrient necessities looking rather lovely....

After about a week of hanging out and living life as caterpillars they curled up in their cocoons to transform into something a little less wiggly.

When they are all hanging like this....

They need to be carefully transferred to their butterfly home.
After another week or so they emerge as beautiful painted lady butterflies.

We kept them for a couple of days, following the directions to feed them orange slices and fresh flowers/milkweed and then headed out back to release them back to nature. Which prompted this discussion...

"They can't go, they're ours... we bought them."
They have to go, they are not ours to keep, they belong to nature.
"Why?"
Because they love to fly and enjoy the sunshine.
"Why?"
Because they have big beautiful wings
"Why?"
Because that's how God made them.
"Why?"
Oh look, there they go!

I love when we come to a mutual understanding... or see something shiny.

One took a quick dip in the pool on his way out but he recovered nicely and flew to safety.

The girls were in awe, and admittedly so was I. What a special transformation to witness.

I was also a little impressed with my own restraint in using the words "eeew, gross, slimy and yuck" when viewing and transferring the caterpillars. A fun summer project we will surely repeat, adding more scientific basis each time. I love hands on learning.

Goodbye Tony

There are few things in this world that make me go "aaaaaww!" more than a puppy, kitty or baby. A few months after Craig and I were married we weren't ready for a puppy or a baby BUT  when I saw this little face I just had to take him home...

After nearly six years, we had to say goodbye to Tony yesterday. He was our baby before we had babies... He was the only cat I have known that played fetch.

and then loved (and tolerated A LOT of affection) from the girls. He was a seemingly permanent fixture in our beds and laps, never turning down a chance to snuggle.

This was the first experience with grief and loss for the girls. It broke my heart to watch them sob the loss of their furry friend but I felt it was important to explain to them that it's OK to be sad.

We talked about how loved Tony is and how lucky we were to be able to care for him and have him in our family.

We talked about where Tony is now and the girls enjoyed discussing what Tony was doing in heaven, trusting that he is in good hands there and enjoying himself, even if he does miss them.

Love is important and grief is an important and inevitable part of love. I hope the girls will always know that being sad shouldn't stop them from loving.

I have to add a special thanks to friends in our life that made this day and process more manageable for our family... Craig and I were able to say goodbye to Tony knowing our girls were being cared for which was a great relief.