Metamorphosis

One of my favorite things that I used to do with my students was watch caterpillars turn into butterflies in the spring.  I thought that Ellie was old enough to appreciate it this year, so I ordered a set of caterpillars for us to watch at home.

We received five caterpillars in the mail and Ellie named them:  Ellie, Georgia, Lola, Leah and Harper (all friends from her school in Cincinnati)

The container comes complete with food for the caterpillars, so all we have to do is watch them grow and form their cocoons. 

All five have made their cocoons!

We pinned the top of the container into our butterfly garden and waited....

until we had butterflies!

After watching the butterflies for several days, we took them to a park to release them.

This one didn't want to fly out, so we gave it a little help.

What's New?

There is never a shortage of fun things to do in this city!  This was "Family Day" at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Ellie is posing with some flowers that she made.

Here, she is making a cloud scene with cotton balls.

I successfully distracted Clara with a sticker while we waited for Ellie to finish her masterpiece : )

Our busy days wear us out!

Clara is becoming such a confident walker now!

She also prefers to feed herself these days and she'll eat just about anything!  

precious.

Whatcha lookin at?

The most kissable baby cheeks!

Helping Mommy keep things tidy.

Having fun together.

And more fun.  Ellie will be so happy when Clara can actually understand and fully participate in all of her little pretend play schemes!

It was a beautiful day, so we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and then ran around the park for awhile before meeting Daddy for dinner.

ELLIE!?  Looking for Ellie who, as usual, has found a little friend to run around with.  If we are out somewhere and Clara doesn't see Ellie or if she wants Ellie to come play with her, she will start yelling her name.    So cute : )

On our way to the Planetarium.  Such a beautiful view of the city!

Ellie is pointing to, "Daddy's big red building!"

We headed outside to eat our lunch and enjoy the view.  Unfortunately, we were pestered by flies and sea gulls!

Ellie had fun chasing the birds away! 

Playing at the park on Mother's Day.

Later, we planted some flowers for the deck.