Family

Butterflies

A few weeks ago we started our project to watch a cup of baby caterpillars transform into butterflies. The last time I wrote, the little family had turned themselves into chrysalids and we were ready to move them into their net butterfly house.

The caterpillars (a birthday present for Sam) were delivered in a sealed plastic cup, containing all the food they needed to grow. The food looked a lot like sand to be honest, and a lot less appetising than the slices of salami and Swiss cheese munched through by the famous Hungry Caterpillar.

Still, five out of the six survived to the chrysalis stage and we transferred them to their net home nearly two weeks ago. About a week later, the first butterfly emerged and now we have four fluttering about in the net.

As soon as the first one comes out it’s important to make sure they have food, which is either pieces of fresh fruit or sugared water (nectar) dropped onto fresh flowers or kitchen roll on the bottom of the net. If you can see tiny red droplets on the paper, don’t be alarmed, it’s just liquid which is released when the butterflies first come out.

The kids loved cutting some flowers from the garden to drop in and watching the butterflies move around. So far they’ve tried apples, bananas and watermelon and seem to like all three. Florence has even been talking to them, pulling up a chair to stand on so she can see in the net, and asking to give them food. She even picked up a photo of her dad the other day and tried to show it to her new pets. Total heart melt.

It’s comforting to watch new life grow at such a sad time for our family. I was hoping Roger would be at home when we set them free, but sadly it doesn’t look like he’ll make it home this weekend so we might have to either postpone their release or keep them just a couple of days longer.

X Julia

The caterpillars were part of a set from Insect Lore, a gift from my sister Katie.

 

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Katie
    May 22, 2015 at 5:46 am

    Maybe Florrie and Sam could take them to St Johns and set them free in the garden outside Rogs window in the garden by the bird table? Xx

  • Reply
    Katie /Pouting In Heels
    May 22, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Oh my goodness. I’ve been wanting to do this for ages for Elsie because it just sounds SO wonderful. Thank you for reminding me! Perhaps they could release them at the hospice?! x xx
    Katie /Pouting In Heels recently posted…SPONSORED POST: Where would we be without our friends?!My Profile

  • Reply
    Mackenzie Glanville
    May 22, 2015 at 11:37 am

    What an amazing and thoughtful gift, something the children will have cherished memories of.
    Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…Is ageing scary?My Profile

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    May 22, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    What a lovely gift, I so hope Roger gets to see them being released. I have loved watching Sam and Florrie nurture them xx
    sarah christie recently posted…Introducing Me TimeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Caro | The Twinkles Momma
    May 22, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Aaah I just love this Ju – what an amazing thing to see! I was obsessed with finding chrysaliss when I was little… but I was never lucky enough to see the butterflies emerge! What a lovely cycle to watch. Thinking of you xxx

    Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
    Caro | The Twinkles Momma recently posted…114 weeks and 2 days | Getting to know me | A vlogMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    May 23, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    Oh what a lovely idea and gift! So glad he enjoyed them and that the children had fun. Thinking of you lovely xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…Blogging: I haven’t got a nicheMy Profile

  • Reply
    Lisa@intotheglade
    May 23, 2015 at 11:52 pm

    This is such a brilliant gift idea that I am going to copy for sure! It’s been great watching their progress on here! The picture of Sam & Flo picking flowers from the pot is so cute, so too the one of her talking to them – just gorgeous! I hope Roger gets home again soon lovely, thinking of you all always xxx
    Lisa@intotheglade recently posted…My Sunday Photo!My Profile

  • Reply
    Adventures of a Novice Mum
    May 24, 2015 at 2:48 am

    What a fab project to do with children; so many learning opportunities. I think I’m pinning this for the parenting road. Hoping Roger makes it home next weekend. Thinking of you all. 🙂 #aNoviceMumInstagram
    Adventures of a Novice Mum recently posted…My Sunday Photo 13My Profile

  • Reply
    Apparently Awkward
    May 24, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    How lovely – what a fun gift – educational and exciting. I can remember doing this at school and being just amazed at the transformation! #sundaystars
    Apparently Awkward recently posted…A Letter To My GPMy Profile

  • Reply
    Stacey
    May 26, 2015 at 6:23 am

    This is such a great gift! My daughter got to experience this when she was 4 in school but it’s something I would love Jacob to experience with me when he gets a little older. #twinklytuesday xx

  • Reply
    Ashley Beolens
    May 26, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    We did this a couple of years ago it was great to teach the little lady all about the amazing life cycle of butterflies (something we are big fans of in our house), I think the plan is to do it again, but we must sort that out at some point 🙂
    Ashley Beolens recently posted…Why Can’t I Be RightMy Profile

  • Reply
    Setting our butterflies free - Rainbeaubelle
    May 29, 2015 at 10:59 am

    […] you’ve been following our butterfly journey you’ll know it was time to set our tiny pets free this week. Out of the six little […]

  • Reply
    Katie
    May 29, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    I have to be honest I didn’t look at the pictures because I’m terrified of butterflies and moths! But it sounds like the kids have loved watching them grow. Thanks for linking up with #sundaystars xxx
    Katie recently posted…Summer Days Linky ~ Attack of the KnotweedMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley Smith @hayleyfromhome
    May 30, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Such a lovely gift and I love your photos Julia, a really sweet activity for the children, I’m sure it must be quite relaxing to watch them xxx
    Hayley Smith @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Rufford Old Hall – Woollen WoodsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sunday Stars Linky
    May 31, 2015 at 4:02 am

    […] Butterflies by our very own Julia at Rainbeaubelle  and Beach In A Box – Homemade Sand from Life Unexpected! […]

  • Reply
    Megan - truly madly kids
    May 31, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    So lovely – I hope Rog improves to come home soon. Big love lady xxx
    Megan – truly madly kids recently posted…Father’s Day BuntingMy Profile

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