Monarchs and Summer

What a busy start to our unofficial summer! Even before school was done we were able to find Monarch caterpillars, which means our summer "science lab" or raising Monarchs, charting growth and documenting the process from egg to beautiful butterfly begins much earlier than last year.

As I type this we have two crysalis in the butterfly habitat, and a caterpillar in J formation - preparing to create his/her beautiful green enclosure. We also have on egg - a microscopic tiny white pearl, that should hatch soon. Once hatched the teeny tiny caterpillars will appear as black speck. Some of you asked to see photos so that you might be able to track down some milkweed in your area and enjoy this same type of summer activity with your children. Hopefully the slide show will help. I do warn you, you must make the commitment this involves, as each caterpillar will devour and need a new leaf EVERY DAY! I encouage everyone to plant some milkweed, as the Monarch populations continue to be in decline as developments and "progress" weed out the only plant that a Monarch seeks to lay eggs, and caterpillars eat to begin the cycle of metamorphasis. This slide show will be a permanent fixture on this blog for families to review. Unfortunately my captions did not show up.

Jesse and I began the tag team approach to child care this week -how different! Jes works, comes home, and I hurry down to work to be there at 9 a.m. I leave promptly at 1 p.m., working only posted office hours, and tag team Jesse who returns to work and gets home around 6 p.m. We are home less as a family of 4, but the kids see more of each of us, and we are saving lots of money this summer.

Abby finished swim lessons... and there is a night and day difference between her first session and last. She is thoroughly enjoying the water and actually putting her face in. Kyle's summer will be one of learning... he has checked history books out of the library - he loves history of wars and battles. We also need to order ants for his ant farm...and we have the butterfly thing going. I know of a local site should we wish to care for crawfish this summer as well. Jesse is constructing a level platform for our EasySet pool. I hope in two weeks we are swimming in it - I anticipate many afternoons out in the pool with the kids.

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your summer as well!