A few years ago, my daughter Hadley developed a butterfly obsession that began when my parents bought her a butterfly net and book.
She was not quick enough to capture even one.
That’s why I wasn’t too surprised when she announced she wanted a butterfly kit that Christmas. It seemed like a brilliant strategy: if you can’t catch ‘em, why not grow your own?
My younger brother used to capture butterflies and watch them die, sending my sensitive heart into a tailspin at the thought of God’s beautiful creatures succumbing to my brother’s demonic Collection of Doom.
It is a long process to grow your own butterflies. The day after Christmas, we sent out our request for caterpillars and were promised they would be delivered in 2-6 weeks.
Then we waited…and waited…and waited.
When our larvae finally arrived in a plastic case it took them another 10 days to evolve into chrysalides. Add two weeks more to that formula as we waited for them to emerge.
Hadley was wonderfully patient. Every day, she would report on their progress. We read books, watched YouTube videos and she prophesied what colors they would be.
The night before we were supposed to leave for a ski trip, It happened: the first butterfly started its metamorphosis.
You know. Because they couldn’t have had worse timing.
We called in reinforcements: our 8-year-old neighbor Sadie became our cat-turned-butterfly-sitter. When we arrived home three days later, nine more butterflies had emerged. Hadley was ecstatic and became a fantastic caregiver.
Until she announced 48 hours later when that she wanted to release them.
Outside.
I patiently explained it was still winter and they would not survive the chilly temperatures. Our mother-daughter game of begging and refusing lasted all day. Exasperated, she finally blurted out,
“Mommy, you don’t understand!”
“What?”
And in that moment, something changed in her countenance.
“I’ve had my butterflies long enough. THEY MUST DIE TODAY.”
Remind me to always stay on her good side.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Lauren in GA
Hadley totally kills me…
Er…”kills me” may not have been the best choice in words…
Amber Johnson
Definitely not. 🙂
Tee aka The Diva's Thoughts
Ok that totally cracked me up!!! lol
Amy
Thanks for the great laugh. Kids say the funniest things.
Susan
You can release them at the Butterfly Pavilion. I did this kit with my daughter’s a few years ago, and you can take them to the BP and release them. It’s not murder, but a fun field trip!
Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck
Are you serious? I had no idea you could release them at the Butterfly Pavilion!
Sugar Jones
Oh dear… looks like you have some devil spawn on your hands. Serves you right for stopping right in front of me on that run. 😉
sammyjbobo
i like how even children know: the fun part is the anticipation!
Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck
So true! The build-up is much better than the reality.
Zakary
LOL! Peace be to your butterflies!
JoAnn
Fly, little butterflies, FLY! Fly as if your lives depend on it…because they do. 😉
Amber Johnson
AMEN. 😉
Tonya
Okay, I so didn’t see that ending coming. She totally cracks me up.