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:

Some little friends come to stay

One weekend in August we watched our friends' three kids. We all had a fun time. Here's some snapshots of that weekend: Enjoy!

S and Madelynn

L loves the float-y spaceship

"Dress up" was a favorite game to play

No, he's not a princess. He's a bumblebee.
Careful! He might sting you with his head.

At MIA's free Family Day, our two families joined up
and made cardboard chairs while listening to loud dance music.

The girls (and L) dance while the adults decide where to eat dinner.

First Day of School!

Joshua- 4th Grade

Rachel - 2nd Grade

Joshua wanted a picture of them together.

Over the Rivers and Through the Woods and across the Prairies...

What a lovely family! (Como Conservatory)

Smell, Madelynn!

Lunch at the Black Bear Como Café (or something like that)
Good pizza eh Hudson?

Yes, Nana actually drove them around like this. She's more adventurous than I (Renée) am!!
She was very careful of course and no one got hurt (of course).

First Day of School!

Nana made all those blankets! Aren't they beautiful?

Good night story

Busy Summer Part Two

A little family photo

Yes she's happy. Hudson is (and has always been) able to tackle and knock M down.

Some new friends

Rachel Ann

Madelynn Louise

Joshua Stephen and Hudson James

Jose and Kristy's Wedding!

Sunrise

Renée

Friends!!

Brothers

Sisters: All four reading to one another at the same time. It was a peaceful scene!

End of soccer for Madelynn!

Diabetes Camp!

For four days and four nights Joshua went to Diabetes Camp. He had a blast!

Kids Against Hunger packing event at the base.
(Rachel on the far right and Renée in the middle.)