Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Monarch Caterpillar





My mom is a retired first grade teacher. Every year, she would do a unit with her class about how the Monarch Caterpillars turn into Butterflies.  We were trained from a young age to spot the monarch caterpillars in a patch of milkweed.  I have many fond memories of playing in the milkweed patch with my sisters and cousins, who lived across the street from my grandmother's house.  I grew up in rural Maine and my grandmother's house had lots of little trails and fields out back with a healthy milkweed patch.  As a little girl, I loved to pull the dried milkweed pods apart and feel the milkweed silk with the seeds.  We would pretend that we were princesses and the silk was part of our treasure.  Now as an adult, the true treasure is the wonderful childhood memories.

The tradition continues now with my children.  We went to Maine last week and saw my folks.  While my husband and I sought out our own adventures, my parents took my kids out looking for caterpillars.  When my husband and I went to pick up our little ones, Dave, my 5-year-old could not wait to tell me about the caterpillars he had found with Grammy and Big Guy.  We have 3 little caterpillars that were only a few millimeters long when we got them.  They eat a lot of milkweed and are getting bigger everyday.  We anxiously wait for each of them to form a Chrysalis in preparation for the Butterfly Transformation.  Time to add The Very Hungry Caterpillar to our bedtime reading list!  Stay tuned ...

15 comments:

Mt. Baldy Glassworks said...

What a delightful story! And you are now making great memories for your daughter!

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

That's so sweet! I can't wait to see the butterflies they become... those are the good memories of life!

Linda B said...

That's a lovely tradition. Can't wait to see the butterfly pics.

Anonymous said...

That is wonderful that you have been spotting monarch caterpillars since quite young. They are a delight to be around. There are so many pretty caterpillars currently around. I love observing them too, and find them very cute.

MagicByLeah said...

What a beautiful post. You must have some very fond memories of caterpillar watching and I'm glad that your children get a chance to be a part of this lovely adventure and learning experience

Crystal said...

Caterpillar hunting...used to do that on our yard!

Deb said...

Unique Cozy Treasures - Thanks for sharing. Reminds of my childhood memories too.

Bill Guest said...

very good read thansk!!

Anonymous said...

How sweet! The Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of my favorite books growing up :)

Anonymous said...

How sweet! The Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of my favorite books growing up :)

Sewinggranny - Mona said...

So cute... my grandson loves caterpillars... when he was younger he called them George.. he always thought they were the same one.

Danelle (Indie Game Lover) said...

I wish I got to do something like that when I was little :)

Mandee said...

That is awesome. I love how butterflies symbolize change.

Ruth said...

Definitely one of the joys of living in the country that I remember the most. Even today I find myself checking the milkweed for them :)

Unknown said...

What fond memories your post brings! Thank you for sharing!