Chelsea got a butterfly habitat for her birthday in April. We waited until the beginning of the summer and sent away for our butterfly larvae. They come right in the mail, in a box labeled live insects. They come in a little cup with food and air holes. The larvae travel to the top of the cup and start hanging upside down. When they have built a chrysalis or cocoon around themselves, you transfer them to the habitat. Then you wait for them to hatch. They are amazing to watch as they transform from these kind of disgusting worm-looking things to their iridescent cocoons to beautiful painted lady butterflies. They emerge very quickly from their cocoons and lay very still as they build up their strength. Then you feed them sugar water and fresh orange slices and flowers.

After they have hatched, you can release them into your yard. Chelsea carefully observed them each and every day, watching their every move. We were all fascinated by the life cycle. On the day of their release, we took them outside and unzipped the door. They were very reluctant to leave and we had to give them some prompting. The first butterfly paused at the door, then flew out and into our yard. We watched as it flew across the street and landed on our neighbor's mailbox----and swoop, right into the clutches of a grackle (black bird)! Well, we had a quick lesson in the food chain and then released the rest.