Bullfrogs and butterflies...

the caterpillars, one week after we got them (about 10X the size they were when they were delivered)

the cocoons, which they started Sunday morning.

When I was a little girl, there was this song I loved called "Bullfrogs and Butterflies." I have no idea who sang it, and I don't remember any of the words, except these two lines,

Bullfrogs and butterflies, we've both been born again,

Bullfrogs and butterflies, we've both been born again.

Okay, so that's the same line, just repeated. Hmmm...

Anyway, we are growing butterflies at our house along with my best friend Tracy and her girls at their house. It is the coolest thing! We bought the butterfly tree house at Target and had to send off for the caterpillars. Our poor caterpillars were in our mail locker all day on the day we got the mail. They were delivered within 5 days of me sending the $6 to order the caterpillars. So, if you decide to do this at home, be watching the mailbox within a few days of ordering the caterpillars! Anyway, those things doubled in size every single day. They spun silk and within 10 days were hanging upside down in their cocoons (or cackoons, as Emma calls them). Their cocoons are so amazing. They look so delicate and almost transparent, but they must be pretty hardy since we've moved the container a lot and they never fell down. Is our God creative or what, people?!

I think they will be in the cocoons for about a week or 10 days before they hatch. We've been reading some butterfly books for fun while we wait. Here's the link if you are interested in growing butterflies at your house. http://www.target.com/Spin-Master-20010985A-Butterfly-Treehouse/dp/B0013HSSQ2/sr=1-1/qid=1213824959/ref=sr_1_1/601-6828747-1296142?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Abutterfly%20treehouse&page=1

This same exact set is $29.95 plus s/h on some commercial they show ALL THE TIME on Noggin and the other kid channels my girls are allowed to watch. (I know this because Emma has a curious talent for memorizing commercials and reciting them to me VERBATIM. Don't get her started on "pancake puffs.") We got ours for $15, but it's on sale right now on http://www.target.com/ for $9.99! I'm pretty sure it's going to be our new cool birthday present we take to kid birthday parties!

That's what's new in our little house on the cul-de-sac.