Liam turned five during my absence from blogging. That means I've missed the boat on writing about how astounding it is to me that my baby is so close to being grown up (in one more year, he'll be a third of the way to college), and how amazing he is, and grown up, and that I adore him beyond what I ever dreamed possible, so I won't go into it now. But he did have a fun birthday party with a pirate theme, complete with buried treasure and a jolly roger cake (that I didn't make).* Here's a picture:
Anyhoo, one of the gifts Liam got was a butterfly pavilion kit. It's basically a large soft cage and a coupon for some live caterpillars, which arrive in the mail a week or so later; ten little caterpillars in two little plastic jars with lots of air holes in the tops. The jars have food in them and, after a few days of monstrous eating (and monstrous pooing), the little guys triple in size, climb up to the ceiling of their jar, and start making cocoons. At this point, we transfer them to the butterfly cage (or Mark does, because of all the poo).
Fantastic gift, isn't it? The kids were both fascinated with the whole process, but that was nothing compared to seeing our first butterfly.
They're painted ladies. We served them orange slices and flowers from our butterfly bush dipped in the same sugar water that goes in hummingbird feeders. We watched them uncurl their little tongues to drink and we loved them.
And then, of course, things got a little more interesting. First of all, Fuzz couldn't wrap his little fuzzy head around the idea that these butterflys were pets of a sort, and not snacks. We had the cage hanging in the kitchen but, after we caught him leaping up and grabbing it with both paws, we moved it to the top of Mark's dresser (that didn't stop him though; we heard a pathetic furry thud in the middle of one night that was Fuzz not making it to the top).
And then there was the evening when I saw some butterfly lovin' going on in there. I didn't manage to take a picture for you (aren't you disappointed), because butterfly love doesn't take very long, but I did call for Mark so he could share in the experience and both kids came along with him.
Then we had an interesting conversation. Liam's been interested in the whole source-of-babies question lately anyway and I've been answering it in every possible way without using those two big key words with "into" in between them. I don't seem to be satisfying his curiousity, as he keeps asking.
I'm sorry to say that I completely wimped out that night. Honest to god, I used the words special cuddle. HELP ME! Is five too young for the big talk? We've had little talks many times, but the questions keep coming. I'm ready, really I am. I even have a book (left over from my childhood) for the right time, but is the right time now? Goddamn butterflies.
Anyway, the big release was yesterday morning. Since we had explained to Liam that butterfly eggs were forthcoming, and not being sure of the gestation period of painted ladies, we all agreed that it was time to send our butterflies into the wilds of our backyard. It was great. With a little prompting ("BYYYYYEEEE BUTTERFLIIIIIEEEESSS") they took off high into the air and then settled on the nearest bush. It was early though, and still a bit chilly out. We checked later and they were all gone.
Hopefully they'll come back for visits.
(Any advice people? Pleeeease?)
* Do you know how to make black icing? It involves lots and lots of green food coloring. Within 24 hours of this party, each and every guest had a shockingly green poo. And then called to tell us about it.
I attended a How to Talk about Sex parent workshop, and all the parents, including myself, giggled and blushed and no one would make eye contact. It was brilliant. There are a ton of books at the library, so I borrowed a pile and sat them in front of the eldest and told her if she had any questions, we could figure them out together. She looked at me like I was INSANE!
Green poo!!! :) I was thinking that when I saw the icing - that could not have been easy to make. I'm impressed.
Posted by: Nadine | August 29, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Special cuddle? :) That is TOO funny - especially since it is not happening to me. I think if you take the most scientific approach and perhaps, uh, focus on butterfly anatomy it should be enough to satisfy his curiosity? Best of luck.
The cake is phenomenal. Did you know there was a Jolly Rogers squadron of F-14s? That is what Bubba thought the cake was about. I had to explain that Liam is not into planes like he is. :)
Posted by: Holly Jo | August 29, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Run, do not walk, to the library and get "Mommy Laid an Egg," by Babette Cole.
Really, if they're asking, it's time to tell them. Even using the big words and the "into" verb. Sigh.
You'd rather he gets it from you -- heeeeyyyy, wait a minute. Isn't this Mark's job? Yeah, that's it!
Posted by: stefaneener | August 29, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Happy Birthday Liam!
note to self: no black icing
Posted by: Kristin | August 29, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Notice how I avoided the whole where-do-babies-come-from thing? Yup. That's my tactic. I rock. :) I'll be following up on these comments for ideas!
Posted by: Kristin | August 29, 2008 at 09:02 PM
OMG. I *love* the butterly pavilion. There will be children receiving one in the near future!
I'm no help with "the talk." Sorry! But my daughter did once have an electric blue poo that she not only showed me, she saved in the potty all day so she could show her daddy when he got home from work. (Obviously without my knowledge.) She was proud of that one.
Posted by: Jody | August 30, 2008 at 12:17 PM
green poo aside, LOVE the cake- we're gearing up for a pirate party here in 2 weeks- where did you get it?
Oh, and I totally wussed out of the talk the first time Henry asked...
Posted by: Samantha | September 04, 2008 at 10:28 AM