And the butterflies flew away.........

Ella received a fabulous gift from Santa this year......the butterfly garden.

We mailed in the postcard and about 2 weeks later received a package in the mail with "LIVE INSECTS" written all over it......Ella was ecstatic!!!!

They catepillars arrived in 2 plastic cups and Ella loved every one of them!

She watched them every day and whenever we would get home or get ready to go to bed, she would say, "Um.....you forgot to say 'hi' to my catepillars." or "Goodnight my catepillars"

The little guys soon plumped up and we watched them crawl to the top and begin to make their crysallis. About 2 days later, when we were sure they were formed and ready, it was time to move them to their new home.....

This was the 'ick' part of the process, but actually wasn't too bad......

The paper in the top of the cup is removed and the paper disc is pinned in the net house.

We anxiously awaited the hopeful 'hatching' of TEN butterflies.......

Ella watched them often and Logan wandered around saying, "BUG!"
And then about 4 days later, I came downstairs early one morning with Logan and saw our 1st little butterfly emerging.....we ran upstairs to get Daddy and Ella.....

Ella in her PJ's pointing to her 1st butterfly......she named her 'CHEETAH'

All but 2 hatched that first day and Ella had fun and put thought into each of their names

#2 CARRIE

#3 CASEY

#4 LACEY

#5 FLOWER

#6 TAPPY

#7 ELLA

#8 LOGAN (THE ONLY BOY)

We were a little worried that the last 2 wouldn't hatch, but the next day out emerged

#9 CHERRY BLOSSOM

#10 HEART

They were beautiful and amazing to watch.....

Their tongues are the strangest things ever!!!! Long skinny black strings that they stick into their food, which for our butterflies was roses dipped in sugar water and watermelon.....

Also, a couple of other facts that were neat.....butterflies have 10,000 eyes and may travel over 1,000 miles in their lifetime which is only 2 weeks long!

Although we really were enjoying our butterflies, we wanted to let them go flutter away and be free!

Ella was excited to watch them, so early one morning, we headed to the backyard and opened up their house.....

All but 2 flew right out pretty quickly....

It was fun to have them and fun to watch them fly away....

Ella was proud of the job she had done.....

The butterfly house is washed and packed away and ready for some new ones next year!