AND MORE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL PHOTOS

Can you tell that this little creature just loved hanging out with us for the afternoon ;-) We quite enjoyed it ourselves.

OUR MONARCHS

What an amazing experience it has been to rear Monarch butterflies. Boo Boo and I collected three caterpillars from our garden and one egg. Over the past couple of weeks, we have watched them grow, eat milkweed, grow, eat more milkweed, and grow some more. Boy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar sums it up well ;-) We have been able to see up close the process by which these cute little guys grow and grow, although we missed the actual molting. However, we got very early morning displays of the chrysalis process ... truly amazing. The Monarch chrysalis must be the most beautiful of all the butterflies. They look like jade pendants with gold beading detail. Yesterday, we noticed that two of the four chrysalis were turning very dark. When taking a closer look, we saw the actual wings of the Monarch butterfly all folded up inside. So, we knew that it would emerge at any time. This morning, we were blessed with two beautiful Monarch butterflies as breakfast guests. We put them right in the middle of the kitchen table so we could keep our eyes on every move while eating our breakfast. In just moments, this little creature went from a folded, crumpled-up little lump to this amazing creature with beautiful wings. It pumped its wings for a while and then later in the morning took it's first little flight around the cage. Once we knew they were ready to fly, Boo Boo and I took them outside to set them free in our garden. She absolutely loved how they perched on her finger for a while before deciding to take flight. It was as if they knew how much she loved and cared for them and not real sure they were ready to "leave the nest" (hmmmm...). Just as quickly as they flew away, they came right back and fluttered all around us to sip nectar from the garden. It was quite a fun day!

THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A MONARCH BUTTERFLY

MORE MONARCH PICS

SPRING FUN

We've been having wonderful days outside in the sun and breeze. Today, we spent a good portion of the morning and afternoon expanding our butterfly garden. We planted more milkweed ... those little tiny caterpillars become big, fat caterpillars in no time and really start going through the milkweed ;-) We also planted lantana, salvia, marigold, zinna, pansy, vinca and cornflower. A lot of which we've started from seed or transplanted. A mama Monarch was not interupted at all by our gardening. She flittered around our heads and right up under us to lay eggs on the very milkweed we were moving from puts and putting in the ground. Not a very patient butterfly ;-) ... but, I guess when it's time, it's time. She must have been just waiting for us to bring home more milkweed. We have almost a dozen little caterpillars already ... one or two very big ones ... and quite a few tiny ones. We placed three caterpillars, ranging in size, and one egg in our nursery we purchased at Butterfly World. The little egg hatched the very next morning. So, now we have four caterpillars that we are watching closely in our nursery ;-) Boo Boo just observes them with awe ... not even the zillion questions like normal ... just peaceful awe.

We've also been creating little feeding spots for our birds and hoping to invite hummingbirds ... keep your fingers crossed ;-) We do have two little squirrels that just love our platform feeder ... and the other feeders also. We joke that each time I put up a more difficult feeder, the little squirrels sit back for a day or two (with their maps, drafting tools, etc.) and observe and then the little "engineers" go to work on developing a catapult to fly through the air and reach those feeders ;-) What fun to watch!

After a day gardening, we are hot and sweaty and a chilly pool feels nice (okay, so I realize that 80 degrees really isn't chilly, but I like mine like bathwater ;-)). So, that's where we've been spending the afternoon.

Boo Boo is sound asleep now. I sure hope she is having enchanted dreams of caterpillars, butterflies, fairies, squirrels, birds and all the amazing creatures in our yard. She told me today that she thought the fairies would probably come to live in her garden soon since we are getting it all pretty and now the butterflies and birds want to live in it ;-)

HAPPY SPRING everyone!

BUTTERFLY WORLD

Well, with all this talk of gardening and butterflies, we decided it was time to finally go for a visit to Butterfly World. All I can say is that it was absolutely enchanting. Over 1000 species of butterflies fluttering all around us. The little hummingbirds were also darling. Boo Boo very much enjoyed the day. We spent lots of time sitting on a bench and just enjoying them flutter about. We also took many pictures. Boo Boo loves the camera! We may have to add photographer to her list of hobbies.

More Butterfly Pics

More Butterfly Pics - and Hummingbirds

MAY DAY at Sea Star

We had an enchanting day at Sea Star (the Walorf school in BocaRaton). Boo Boo spent the morning creating a crown from fox grape vine and fresh flowers. Then the children got a chance to dance around the May pole. It was beautiful. Following the dance, we were entertained by a mesmerizing marionette play. Boo Boo, and most of the other children, were in awe. Within moments, she was asking if I can make those kind of puppets with strings ;-) Hmmm ... we'll see what we can do. Maybe the fairies can help ;-)

HAPPY MAY DAY

In preparation for May Day tomorrow, we borrowed a very cute idea from Kristie at Earthschooling. We prepared a Fairy May Day celebration and set everything up in our budding butterfly garden. The tiny caterpillar babies (we are now up to 6 ranging from a couple millimeters to almost an inch long) are eager to witness tonight's festivities ;-) Boo Boo picked out the food: tiny jibbles of kiwi, peaches and strawberries; flax seeds and sunflower seeds. She placed the tasty treats in tiny shells for dishes and then properly set the little wooden table we created. Then she carefully arranged the tiny heart chairs around the table. Edible flowers, seashells and seaglass were added to create a festive pathway to the maypole. I wonder what we might find early in the morning ...

Our Butterfly Garden

Well, it has been just a week since we planted our butterfly garden ... one milkweed plant, three pentas ... doesn't sound like much, huh. We have big plans for the garden, but right now we are celebrating our very first caterpillars. Boy, those Monarchs didn't waste any time. Before the milkweed was even in the ground (still in the nursery pot), they laid eggs and now we have the cutest little, teeny-tiny caterpillars. Boo Boo is thrilled!

Hmmm, Maybe a Professional Cyclist Like Daddy?

Boo Boo got a bike helmet from the Easter Bunny and hmmm ... she really is faster with that bike helmet ;-) She says that now she looks just like Daddy when he raced bicycles. So, today she proudly announced that she was off to race her bicycle. Hey, Trek, she sure looks cute in your helmet ... maybe you guys need a 3 year old spokes model ;-)

How much fruits and veggies can two adults and a 3 year old eat anyway

Thanks to our wonderful friends Lenore and Jenee, we have an organic market on Mondays where we can go and purchase yummy, fresh, organic fruits and veggies. Lexi loves Mondays "Organic Market Day" and says that she loves bananas the best when we first buy them from Ms. Lenore. It makes me hungry just looking at these pics.

A Great Way to Relax After the Easter Fun

Daddy and Boo Boo found a few minutes to relax after a big weekend of Easter fun.

EASTER FUN IN OUR BACKYARD

We had such a wonderful time today. Our friends joined us for an Easter Egg Hunt and yummy snacks in the backyard. Boo Boo is sure that this should be an annual event for us. HAPPY EASTER!

EASTER BUNNY at Flamingo Gardens

We had a wonderful time today at Flamingo Gardens. The orchids were amazing. We also saw lots of peacocks and peahens ... it is the middle of mating season so lots of yelping and a great show of feathers going on. Of course, the highlight for Boo Boo was seeing and hugging the Easter Bunny. She told him she really wanted a bike helmet and bike bell for Easter. Good thing that Easter Bunny is into cycling ;-)

The Joys of Finding a Snake in the Pool

Well, isn't it wonderful how a 3 1/2 year old can see a snake up close and her only comment is "mommy, isn't he beautiful ... look at the necklace around his neck". UUUUUGH. Hmmmm. Beautiful ... not my first choice of words for a snake I scooped out of our pool. But, I think I hid my feelings well as I dipped him out into a plastic container and proceeded to take many pictures before letting him go. Boo Boo loved every moment of our 30 minute relationship with this Indian Ring Neck (I know this name because in the meantime I was on the phone with the Wildlife Care Unit making sure he wasn't poisonous). So, since Mr. Indian Ringneck is a good guy for the garden, we decided to let him go in the front yard and maybe he won't migrate back to the pool. Now, the rule is that we thoroughly clean the pool BEFORE jumping in ;-)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Boo Boo's First Horse Ride

We had a wonderful morning of horseback riding with our friends Nicole and Lucy. Well, these are supposed to be ponies ... but looks pretty big to me ;-) Boo Boo loved it.

A Budding Artist