Butterflies and S'mores

A nurse that Eli works with has a hatchery for monarch butterflies.  We had the privilege of acquiring two cocoons from her, then we waited patiently for a couple weeks while the caterpillars inside underwent metamorphosis.  Caleb liked sitting on the counter and watching the cocoons, which were "like the very hungry caterpillar!"  After watching and waiting and talking about the very hungry caterpillar over and over, we finally had a butterfly emerge!  It was the highlight of the week.

The boys were enthralled.  The butterfly had appeared like magic and it was just as magical to set it free.  They couldn't get it out of the bug box fast enough and could scarcely keep their little hands away until Eli carefully lifted it out to place it on a tree branch and let it get used to its wings.

The monarch rested on the leaf for awhile and fluttered its wings.  I imagine it's a lot of work to change from a caterpillar to a butterfly and it takes some getting used to being out of the cocoon.  It was quite exciting to marvel at this mysterious part of nature and share it with our boys!

What a marvelous mystery indeed!

After the excitement of the butterfly, we decided it was a perfect night for a fire.  We busted out the s'more supplies and indulged.  I was so anxious to have a s'more that I didn't even bother to get a chair first.  I assumed the "pregnancy squat" and roasted that mallow right away, then sat directly on the driveway to devour it.  I love s'mores and we simply haven't had enough of them this summer!

Caleb wanted to roast a marshmallow too, but "just pretend."  He loves pretending all sorts of things these days.  "Just pretend" is a favorite catchword of his.  So he used a pair of chopsticks with two tiny marshmallows on the end, pretended to roast them, and gobbled them up!  He was a happy boy :)

When Caleb tried an actual s'more, he instantly started freaking out and I thought the marshmallow must have been too hot and burned his tongue.  But he refused water when offered, and when I asked what was wrong he exclaimed, "My mouth is sticky!"  Well, yes, roasted mallows are sticky.   Geez, kid.  Get over it.  But he wouldn't take another bite till the end of the night, and only with much coercing.  Kai, on the other hand, couldn't get enough s'mores.  He wanted more and more and more!

So we had a lovely summer night at home, releasing a brand new butterfly and enjoying a fire.  The summer is quickly coming to a close so we're trying to maximize this time.  The summers in Duluth are some of the best around, and we're thankful we've had the chance to enjoy one more summer season here!