Spring Carnival

This weekend the Spring Carnival was in town, we wasn't going to go because of how expensive those things are but we thought "what the hell". They did wrist bands this time which was great and allowed us to be there for nearly 3 hours instead of 30 minutes spending the same amount in tickets. I had to get a wrist band too to ride with Hailey, and OMG I felt sick at the end (I'm not getting any younger you know). Plus Hailey didn't need me, that kid was wild and LOVED every single minute. Like one thing she wanted to go on was an obstacle course but she had to go on with me. Well she ran through it so bloody fast I couldn't catch her, I'm sure people were laughing at me. half way through was a rope wall (Hello!) she zoomed up it and left me at the bottom, I shouted "Hailey wait for Mummy" she looked down at me and took off running while laughing her head off (little bugger). I caught up with her just as she got to the end part, a long wobbly bridge suspended in the air only supported by a single net. your not allowed to run or jump but that is exactly what Hailey was doing, laughing the whole time, I was having a heart attack. As I had the wrist band I had to do all the rides including the dreaded Ferris Wheel, I hate those things and I hate heights (put the two together and you have a freaked out Kerry). Masie and Taylor thought it was Hilarius to rock the car and scare me. Masie said " hey Mummy look over there, lets do that one next". I replied (while holding on to the metal frame in the middle so tight my knuckles were white) "I cant look over there because I will fall and die" which they found even more funny.

This car ride was without a doubt the most favourite ride there, they must have gone on it at least 10 ten times. It goes round a little track but around the two corners it zooms you really fast, it was one of the few Hailey didn't have to have me with her.

I Forgot

I forgot to show you the girls drawings they did while we had the caterpillars and butterfly's.

29 Days Baby!!!

Well nearly, when I wake up it will say 29 days, but whose counting??... UM


ME!! I cant wait to be home.

Praying Mantis

Here is another weird but wonderful creature I have found in my yard. A praying Mantis, I think it looks really cool, but I know that they are not very nice creatures. I'm not sure if they would attack a human as I really don't know much about them (our next project from insectlore is going to be these so I will be able to find out more, or I could google it but its more fun the other way). Anyway they are aggressive hunters and will attack and eat pretty much anything smaller than it including caterpillars, Moths and Flies etc.

Releasing the Butterfly's

The morning that we released our Butterfly's was amazing, what an experience. We checked on them in the morning like always and they were so active that we all agreed that it was time to release them into their natural environment. Shortly after that decision Masie had tears in her eyes and her face was so sad. We spoke about it and she just didn't want to see them go as she loved them so much, we have watched and raised them from tiny caterpillars so we all got a little attached. But she was so brilliant and agreed it wasn't fair to keep them in a small enclosure just for us. Taylor released the first one and we all watched its wings spread so wide and it flew high in the sky and was free. Masie immediately smiled a proud smile (like when your child takes its first steps) and wanted to release one herself. She was so happy and so were they. I told her "awww Masie, your children have grown up and have left for college" she laughed and told me I was silly.Taylor and Hailey were amazing to watch, they were fascinated and thought it was so funny that the butterfly's needed a little prompting to fly away. They were so gentle with them, their eyes followed them with pure happiness until they couldn't see them anymore.
We all thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful gift from my friend Martine, Thank you Martine, we love you!!

Butterfly Journal

Day 1- Exactly one week after the Caterpillars turned into their cocoons they started to hatch into beautiful Butterfly's. This morning we were pleasantly surprised that two were born last night. We were so very excited. Their Cocoons were almost see through. They weren't moving much, but when they did they were pumping their wings and trying to fly. They are gorgeous and have lovely patterns on their wings.

Day 2- Two more hatched last night, the last one was very dark so we knew it was close. We put the enclosure on the table while we ate breakfast. All of a sudden we witnessed the most amazing sight. The last one was born right in front of our eyes. It climbed out of the bottom, it was all scrunched up and started to pump its wings until they were straight and beautiful. The girls were so excited and fascinated with the whole process. Masie and Taylor didn't want to go to school because they wanted to watch them all day long. These Butterfly's are called "Painted Ladies".Day 3- We are really enjoying our Butterfly's. We know the time is near to release them and as they only have a life span of 4-5 weeks its not fair to keep them much longer for our own pleasure. We have held them once or twice after googling "Will it hurt the Butterfly if its handled" as Ive heard it could affect their ability to fly. We got the go ahead as long as we were careful and didn't handle them excessively. We love watching them eat from the flowers and fresh orange slices. Each child took so much pride in holding their Butterfly, they were so very gentle and so happy. They all took wonderful care of their Butterfly's, they squirted sugar water on the flowers several times a day.

I tried to get all five on the flowers at the same time but they had other ideas. Here are Mango and Strawberry.

Day 4- When we woke this morning and all immediately went to check on our Butterfly's we saw they were extremely active now. They were so ready to be released, we was going to wait until tomorrow (Earth Day) but we knew it was time. It was a good day as I had no daycare kids and it was just us, no rushing or stressing it was wonderful. There were sad tears that quickly turned to Happy tears, stay tuned for tomorrow when I post the 'Release of the Butterfly's'.

Fun on the New Swing Set

I am so glad we got this swing set, the girls are having a blast!!

Baby Butterfly's

I was going to wait but I couldn't help but share our wonderful news. We have FIVE beautiful Butterfly's, Sunday Morning two had hatched, then two more this morning. We were eating breakfast and witnessed the most amazing sight, the last Butterfly being born. It was quick but amazing, it came out all scrunched up and slowly began flapping its wings until they were straight and beautiful. I went out and got them some Carnations and we sprinkled some sugar water over them so they could eat. We are doing another Journal over the next few days and then we will release them into their natural environment.

New Swing Set

Finally!! Its Here!! The Swing Set it Up!!

Chris worked really hard this week getting this thing up, it took longer than expected as none of the pieces were labelled or pre drilled, so before he could even start he had two days work. But its here and fantastic, It has Monkey Bars, Two Swings, A Glider, A Slide, A Picnic Bench and a little Den that we are going to make into a Sand Pit. The girls had a Fabulous time this weekend playing on it for hours at a time. They were so mad when Chris shouted "its ready, come check it out" then the heavens opened and the rain fell, hard. So I had to call them in, but good old New Mexico within five minutes it was sunny and the floor and play set was completely dry

It's Simple

MY KIDS ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! That's it!!

Summer is Near

Its not quite here but it sure does feel like it lately, the girls have been pleading to get the pool out for a few weeks now but Sunday I gave in. The temperature was in the 80's and is was a gorgeous day.Ahh my sweet little Innocent Hailey!! NOT. She took her swimsuit off, got back into the pool and told everyone to watch as she peed!! PEED, come on Hailey at least do it when no one is looking. So that was the end of the pool session.

Our Journal, Catterpillars to Chrysalides

This is the first part of our Caterpillars to Butterfly Journal - Take two
Again me and the girls sat down at the table and discussed what was going on in the cup and any changes they saw.

Day One- 04-05-10 (first picture taken)
Our new caterpillars arrived today, they are very tiny. Their food has no holes yet or doesn't have poo on in it yet. 3 are moving and the other two are still. We are going to try and not kill them this time! Their names are:

1. Strawberry
2. Mango
3. Apple
4. Orange
5. Peach

Day Two- They grew a lot, two are playing tag at the top of the cup. They have a lot of hair on them. They spun a bunch of silk last night.

Day Three- (Second picture) One is upside down in the silk. The 'spider' web grew last night. Hailey- "Oh No, its broken" "Are you OK baby?" "Eat up your food" Me- "What else do you see Hailey?" "POOP" Taylor- "Mango is in the food".

Day Four- (Third picture) Three of them were in shapes this morning s, n & r. They are 10 times bigger than day one.
Hailey- "Yucky poo Mummy" "Yucky orange poo Mummy" "Poo" **Eating Motion** "I eat Caterpillars".
(Don't ask about the Pumpkin hat) Day Five- One of them has started its big change. Its hanging upside down and looks like a candy cane. They are big and fat now and pulling down the silk as they walk on it. There is poo piled high around the sides.

Day Six- (Forth Picture) Two are now Chrysalides, one of the other ones was climbing on one of them making the Chrysalide shake and spin to scare him away. They are so big now and running out of space. A few hours later 2 more caterpillars were hanging in place and the last one looks like it was getting ready.

Day Seven- (Last two pictures)
All the caterpillars are now Chrysalides, all their heads fell off, I'm sure this is normal as all five of them did the same thing. They sure did make a mess in their cup though (I took a picture for your viewing pleasure)
So it was time to move them from the cup to the Butterfly Habitat. They were getting scared and started shaking and spinning, we quickly did what we needed to do and left them alone to do their fascinating change.

We really hope this works!!! Hopefully you will see pictures of our beautiful Butterfly's in a week or two.

Playing in a Big Box

Sometimes I wonder why parents buy their kids expensive toys when they usually have more fun with the free box it comes in. We just bought the girls a new swingset (more on that soon) they had so much fun in the box, they played outside in it all evening.

Maddie

I recently received these stunning pictures of my niece Maddie, OMG I can not believe how gorgeous she is. I can not wait to have her in my arms, she has no idea that five people in New Mexico love her more than she will ever know. My Uncle Andrew took these beautiful pictures, I think he did a really fabulous job!!