caterpillars

This week we have spent a lot of time in the garden where I have a crazy forest of nasturtiums. Our butterfly friends, mainly Large Whites, have been frequent visitors leaving special presents on every leaf they can land on.

Emma is in her element. Every day we go out to spot the newly laid eggs and hunt out the caterpillars. She basically thinks they are our pets at this point. It is actually so much fun watching the whole lifecycle of a butterfly happening naturally in our garden.

I am desperately hoping we will find a cocoon at some point to complete the cycle. But I’m not sure when or where that might take place. The caterpillars are certainly very happy in their peppery nasturtium home currently. Do they go somewhere else for the next step though? If anyone out there knows the answer I’d be very grateful!

We have of course re-read the hungry caterpillar, or recited the hungry caterpillar, at length. I’m trying to think of other fun things we can do this week caterpillar or butterfly related. I really want to keep Emma’s curiosity peaked, it’s such a good opportunity. That said Emma is always full of questions so it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge!

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small—
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!

She sends’em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes—
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!

The Elephant’s Child, Rudyard Kipling