For Maia’s birthday we received 10 caterpillars in the mail along with a habitat for “birth” and life cycle. It was a really fun project! We checked on our critters everyday and, lucky for us, all 10 became Painted Lady butterflies. After a few days, we set them free in our backyard.

This last butterfly had a bum wing We put him on a flower and hope for the best.

Doesn’t this one look mean? This photo totally intimidates me.

I highly recommend this to anyone with a 3+ year old. The excitement level was high throughout the three weeks we did this and I think Maia learned some too. You can order your own at www.insectlore.com!

Not so simple? Growing tomatoes. I am sure some of you would argue, but I have not been blessed with a green thumb. Luckily, my parents have experience in this area. When I was a baby, we lived in Michigan and my parents had a large garden. And no hot water if I am remembering the stories correctly. The effect was recreated when we moved “back East”, but didn’t hold as we moved into the house they now occupy. Judging by the size of the yard, I guess it was play or plant. Last year they grew tomatoes in their now suburban yard and this year they are expanding00 to include peppers and some beans. Yay! They are happy to have Maia help and she is very serious about it, a the photos show.

cherry tomato

my bean seed

pat the soil just like Pipa showed me

maia and mima hands

All done!