To catch a butterfly

For Easter the kids all received butterfly nets, bug boxes and magnifying glasses as gifts from my mom. (It was a suggestion from me.) Well they have been anxiously waiting for the butterflies to appear so they could net one. Last week they finally saw their first butterfly outside and on a mission they went.

It has been more difficult than they expected to catch one of these butterflies. Running and chasing has proven futile, but entertaining for me to watch. I have suggested sitting near some flowers and waiting for one to land, but that takes more patience than they want to give. So the chasing continues.

While planting garden last Friday they spotted a caterpillar. He was named Spots (because he was a pale yellow with black spots) and put into the bug box. Well Sunday brought a surprise when Spots began to lose his fur and legs. Thankfully Jim was home to confirm that he was not dead as the kids feared, but starting his cocoon. Hopefully he survives the transformation and we will soon have a butterfly (or moth) in our bug box.