What a journey; from tiny caterpillars to beautiful Painted Ladies – and all in the space of a few weeks.
As previous posts attest, I love butterflies and the kit was one of my birthday presents but all the generations of our family have enjoyed watching them grow – from Freya right up to my dad. My mother-in-law, who was visiting last weekend, was genuinely sad that she missed seeing the first butterfly emerge by an hour.
We kept them on top of our big bookcase away from direct sunlight, drafts and little hands but where we could easily keep an eye on them.
They had been chrysalides for so long I was beginning to think that nothing was going to happen. In fact, I walked towards the netted tube and said to Mark: “I think they are all dead….oh, apart from this one which is now a butterfly.” Then, one by one, they all appeared, emerging with their wings all scrunched up and then gradually unfolding.
It was with a mixture of sadness and happiness that we set them free this week. I hadn’t expected to grow attached to them – it’s not like they were pets – but I got used to watching them in their various stages and looking after them.
After The Rain 
Fabulous photos and what a lovely thing to do!
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Thank you. It really was special.
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What a wonderful gift!!! Many memories to treasure!!
Also love your new layout, very chic!! xxx
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Thank you! I was thinking about you yesterday. One of my Facebook friends got married and she looked like she had such a fabulous day. I hope planning is still going well 🙂
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Ooh I love hearing about fabulous wedding days!! I am gripped by planning BUT I did manage to write a post which I just need to actually make live!!
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Ooh, a kit you say? I’ll have to look into getting one. I love the photo of Freya looking into the net, she looks so fascinated!
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She talked to them all the time 🙂 It’s from this place https://www.insectlore.co.uk. They do a school kit as well.
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I’ve just had a look – think I’ll have to purchase one! Thanks for the link 🙂
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Brilliant! I can’t wait to see your pics 🙂
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What an amazing present, that goes to the top of my list! Brilliant photos, I especially like the one of Freya xx
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It was brilliant, really fascinating to see them grow. I’d recommend it 🙂
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Awww!! I keep meaning to buy Evie one of these kits, mind you she would probably not let them go, she would get very attached too. Your pictures are lovely Tara, I especially love the one of Freya looking in – such anticipation xx
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Hah! I was the same although I think once Evie saw them fluttering at the lid she would want them to be free. Freya really loved them but was happy to release them.
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This looks like such a brilliant thing to do. The final photo is perfect, the joy in her face.
Thank you for linking up
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Thanks for hosting Darren 🙂
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I love that quote at the end and how lovely to watch the caterpillars turn into butterflies. Love the final photo of Freya looking at the butterfly and the close-ups 🙂
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Thank you. She really was delighted by them 🙂
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I had no idea you could get kits like this. That’s a wonderful idea for children to learn about butterflies. And to have them so close to photograph must have been wonderful. Thanks for sharing Tara. I’ll be popping this on my things-to-buy list for Alex!
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Freya really loved it. She kept saying: “Hello, little guys, are you ok today?” Hehe. They do all sorts, not just butterflies.
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Hi Tara, I never knew there was such a thing as a butterfly growing kit! It must have been fascinating to watch them go go through the stages and it’s one sure way of getting a photograph of a butterfly without having to join the Ministry of Silly Walks!
Your photos are lovely too, and the expression o Freya’s face in that last one is priceless.
xx
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Hiya, thank you. I’ve been doing my fair share of silly walks recently too. Why can’t they just stay still? 🙂
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Awe, the pictures if Freya and the butterflies is priceless! What a wonderful experience for you all!❤️
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Thank you. It really was beautiful.
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Such an amazing process and just incredible to see the finished butterfly. How lovely to have photographed each stage.
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Seeing the changes up close was a wonderful experience. The caterpillars were so small when they arrived in the post and within days were massive! Incredible transformation.
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What a fabulous thing to do and how gorgeous are these photos? I absolutely love the one of the butterfly sitting on the hand x
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Thank you. That’s my dad’s hand, just in case you were wondering 🙂
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Butterflies are even more beautiful close up! Lovely photos #Mysundayphoto
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You’re right, you get to see such brilliant detail close up (especially when you’re not having to chase after them) 🙂
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Awww how wonderful. I bet it was so much fun to watch them! I love that lost photo it’s just fab!
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Thank you, Jenni. I bet Boo would love it too.
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Amazing photos! I asked my son last night as to what we should do for the holidays and he said grow a butterfly so we are goint to try to do this too! #mysundayphoto
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Brilliant, what a cool idea, and fantastic photos documenting it all! 😉
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