Butterflies and Rainbows

Something I always did growing up was to raise butterflies. I'd catch the caterpillar and feed it until it turned into its cocoon and then watch over it until it "hatched" into a butterfly. Almost always it was a monarch but I did raise tiger swallowtails too. My dad built me a special box/cage to keep them in, too. It is such a fun memory of mine, I've tried to always get a caterpillar or two for the kids each summer. I let the milkweeds take over near our house. Some years it looks really sloppy, but we get to raise caterpillars from it so I don't care.

We had 2 that we let go this year. Casey was really excited, but refused to touch the caterpillar or butterfly. He barely would pick the leaves, but he loved the process just the same. Both butterflies that we let go just happened to be ready early in the morning, so if we look a bit shell shocked that's why.

Don't you just love that you can see his tongue?
I just thought the wings looked cool with the light shining through here.

Finally, I thought I'd just include this pic of a rainbow I took the other night. Emily wanted me to come outside and see something. I was on the phone and not hurrying, but she finally dragged me out the door and this is what I saw!!! Such beauty everyday and I'm so glad my children notice.