Real Life Science - Ethan's Butterflies

For Christmas last year Brian's parents got Ethan a butterfly "kit." This summer we ordered the caterpillars and they arrived one day on our doorstep. Ethan totally enjoyed watching the caterpillars grow and move around their little environment. We then got to watch them form their cocoons. When their chrysalis is complete you move them over to the butterfly cage and wait for them to emerge.

Wouldn't you know that they were finally ready to emerge about the time we were ready to leave for our trip to Denver. Brian's family kindly watched over them for us while we were away and when we got home Ethan got to enjoy observing the butterflies.

Tanner was interested too, just not as into it as Ethan. Ethan loves almost anything relating to science so this was the perfect experiment for him. And since I'm not a pet lover it was also great for me. I didn't have any big messes to clean up, and when the butterflies were a few days old we just let them go. Admittedly, Ethan did not enjoy that part as he'd become rather attached, but after awhile he started to enjoy letting them go. This was a perfect gift for my science-loving son and we'll probably order some more again.