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Backtracking

Now that we are in East St Louis, I have time to post some pictures from earlier in the week.

Monday in Maine.

Cerwin’s first job was removing leaves, stems, etc. from the wild blueberries.

He thought he would rather do that than pick beans!

That’s what everyone else did after breakfast.

Josh thought he found the longest bean.

Elizabeth challenged its size with a bean from her bucket.

Josiah entered the contest.

Turns out they were all about the same size.

Then we went inside – by the coat and hat rack…

…to join Cerwin…

…and snap the beans.

Diane canned seven jars.

Abigail made a delicious banana/blueberry casserole for Tuesday’s breakfast.

This turned out to be a delicious use for some of the banana bread that Diane got at the foodbank.

Banana bread, blueberries, cream cheese, milk, and eggs.

Lydia and Nathan

After picking beans these four challenged each other to a race with the Nintendo GameCube our guys took along.

Josiah and Josh

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I Love Creative Kids!

After the beans and blueberries were finished, Josiah invited me to visit his “second home” out back.

He designed a beautiful pathway.

Outside lighting.

Entrance Door Knob

Notice his bed in the background.

A cupboard for a few necessities.

A chest he purchased for a good deal.  This stores a few more items he needs.

The door knob to enter the outside.

The Cook Shack

A Comfortable Porch Swing

II know it’s comfortable, because I tested it!

A Monarch at the Office

Yesterday, I took time to go to TFC’s International Office for a luncheon farewell for Brandi (I will post pictures from East St Louis) and noticed this beautiful Monarch in wildflowers surrounding the parking lot.

I am anxious to see my caterpillars turn into one of these beautiful creatures.

Notice the distinct black markings (like dots) on its bottom wings on either side of its body.  That tells me this one is a male.

The Caterpillars Tonight

I am preparing the aquarium to be in the house alone – again.  This time we are going to East St Louis for the dedication service of the chapel we took there in July.

Max has been spinning a silk pad all day in preparation for pupation.

He went into a J formation about an hour ago.

This is what the bottom of the screen looks this evening.  Left to Right:  Max in J formation.  Michael in chrysalis (pupa) stage.  Molly spinning her silk pad.  There are eight to ten in various stages of being a caterpillar. 

(UPDATE:  Molly went into a J formation about an hour after Max.)

Max is on the Screen

Yesterday after work, I noticed that Max was making a “home” on the screen of the aquarium.

He is still in the same position this morning, so I will check on him periodically – to log the day and time he goes into a J position.

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 Now I can check on both of them.

Caterpillar Update

Michael went from a J position to a chrysalis overnight – so I missed the process. 

Michael – last night when I went to bed…

…and this morning.

Max and Molly grew into full-sized caterpillars while we were gone.

The tiny newborn ones are now teenagers.

Everyone made a mess.  Consequently I must clean the aquarium and get fresh milkweed this morning.

We are home again, but I am too tired to deal with pictures tonight.

The caterpillars are much larger, and Michael is attached to the screen in a J form, so I expect he will soon turn into a chrysalis.

Pictures of our trip and the caterpillars in the next few days.

Caterpillar Challenge

We are going to be away from the caterpillars for a few days, so I prepared the aquarium vases with clean water and a few fresh milkweed leaves.

Michael is the only caterpillar in view on this photo, but when I checked the new leaves there were several eggs and two tiny caterpillars, I have the possibility of about a dozen butterflies…

Michael, Max & Molly, Munch, M & M, a brand new baby this morning, the two new ones on the fresh leaves, and three or four eggs.  I am not naming the new ones until we get back from Maine.