Butterflies

For Owen's birthday, one of the things we got him was the Insect Lore butterfly garden. I figured he'd get a kick out of it considering he is such a thinker and loves anything animals, bugs, etc...

To start, you send for your caterpillars and they come in the mail in a little container.

Then, over time, you watch them grow and transform....

from little caterpillars

to chrysalids (yes, i learned something new! it's their little cocoon)

and finally, into beautiful painted lady butterflies.

Then you give them sugar water on pretty flowers and watch them flutter and feed.

Owen thought it was pretty cool and loved feeding them.

Eventually, you let them go into the great wide open to find bigger and better blooms.

But, secretly, I think I liked it more. :) I was so in awe of the transformation that occurred.

simply beautiful.

simply amazing.

And then I can't help but think of the amazing miracle growing inside of me....

and of the simply beautiful little boy that is transforming before my eyes....

and how it is so hard to let go

but someday the time will come when I will have to let them spread their wings and fly.....for there are so many things in this world to discover.

But, for now, I'm going to hold on tight and be content with the fact that it's just butterflies that I'm letting go....