Marissa

Our girls have been learning all about Monarch butterflies in school. We have seen little booklets, and pictures, and tons of information about these beautiful creatures coming home. Last weekend, we went to the fall open house for KU's monarch building. The kids all had a lot of fun, and were each able to take home a monarch chrysalis. Makena's hatched at school and was released there. We were all convinced Maiki's was dead because it took so much longer to change, but it surprised us all on Sunday by turning black and hatching. From the shell came a HUGE and very pretty butterfly that Maiki named, "Marissa".

We housed Marissa for a day in her plastic container, and let her wings dry. We all got to watch her, and hold her. This morning, Marissa was released out into the world (only to quickly turn around and hang out on the side of our house!) Maiki was sad, but it had to be done.

This amazing process taught me a lesson in appreciating the smallest things. It was something that the girls have learned on their own, and shared with us. It was something we could all participate in as a family, absolutely free, and was far more valuable than any toy I could buy, or tv show they could watch. Nature ... something so pure and untouched by our hands. We were all fascinated.

If anyone is interested in events like this, go to www.monarchwatch.org. They have tons of information and events coming up.