a little wildlife this summer

Aren't these cute? Madelynn and Hudson made them in preschool this summer.  

This one is made out of an egg carton

This was a common sight this summer. Joshua outside, with a book,
checking on his frog(s) in the bucket.

Meet "Toad-y". 

A Monarch Butterfly Sequence

The monarch caterpillar loves milkweed. They start out so tiny you hardly see them.
Good thing for sharp child eyes.

The caterpillar hangs upside down by it's tail sheds some skin and becomes a chrysalis.
The chrysalis is actually a layer of it's skin. Aren't the gold stripe and spots neat?

On day 11 or so the chrysalis turns clear, revealing the butterfly inside.

We've always missed the actual hatching of the butterfly (we had four caterpillars/butterflies this summer)
but here is the butterfly drying it's wings.

We moved the butterfly outside where it could enjoy the sunshine and breeze.
Here he's flapping it's wings. It's going to take off soon, right?

Anytime now.

Nature is very patient. We however are not. But we will not miss this!

And there he goes! Bye Mark the Monarch! Have a great trip south!

* * *

And THIS is a great video by our neighbor of HER two monarchs:

Meet...

our pet hedgehog! 

She is very pleased to meet you.

Penelope

Rachel's Tomato plant:

Tom-alina and Rachel

And our new pet bunnies! (for real)

Four week old Mini Rexes (both female!):

Madelynn holding Buttercup

Buttercup and the girls

Hudson learning to pet Bluebell

Joshua holding Bluebell

Lots of pets around here! Very exciting! 

I won't bother introducing you to all the kale, pepper and other tomato plants that the kids have named...!!