Butterfly lesson

Inspired by other homeschooling moms, we decided to do a hands-on butterfly lesson with Hope. Definitely well worth-it. We found our butterflies at www.insectlore.com. 

 We received 5 caterpillars that were about 0.5 cm long. they grew to about 2 inches long before entering their pupa stage.

 Somehow, they know to hang from their feet and go to sleep. Overnight, their bodies harden into a chrysalis.  (Cocoons for for moths)

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Beautiful shells with gold spots.  Just can't believe in evolution when this is happening before your eyes.

 

 Transferring them into a larger space so that they can fly.

 Our first butterfly emerges

 Painted Lady butterfly

 Very tame painted butterflies. When the weather was warm enough, we let them fly away. What a joyful lesson on God's creation.

In DC, caterpillars are everywhere, so the kids come home with handfuls of caterpillars. We haven't been able to see them transform into butterflies because most of these wild caterpillars are moths. I think they actually need to go underground for their pupal stage...

A half-marathoner

Sunday morning, we woke up around 5:45 am to drive to Leesburg, VA for Lisa's first Half-marathon. The weather was brisk - 40's but perfect for a long run. Hope was just as excited for she knew that she was going to race the other kiddos. Paxton was the official photographer.

At the starting line. About 300 people ran the half. Another group ran the 5K, but they started after we left the starting line and went home before we all got back.

 Leaving the starting line. Our friend, Kent, decided to run the race, too. He was much faster so left Lisa in the dust...heh heh.

 Here is Hope with her runner's bib. She was so excited to race. She ran this race while mom was chugging along in her race. Good thing dad brought the camera so mom could see the pics of her lightning fast runner.

 What a trooper. She ran her 1K and got a special medal as well. Her runner's t-shirts were all gone by the time we registered, but she was most happy with the medal. Paxton had to take pictures of Hope while carrying Josiah since Josiah is not the running type. He prefers to walk.

Here are the kids, waiting for mom to hurry up and cross that finish line already.

Here she comes! Barely able to lift up these arms after 13.1 miles, but she did it!

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Comparing medals. Hope's medal was bigger. 

Cherry Blossom Festival

It was a glorious day to bike to the Tidal Basin and see the DC cherry blossoms in full bloom. It looked like the entire town was out to see the Cherry trees as thousands descended into the area to view the lovely trees in full bloom. It was a good thing we biked, as people were taking 2 hours to find parking, IF they even found parking. It was a Thursday morning.

Dad catches Hope in full action, running around the Jefferson memorial. If anyone is aware of Georges Seurat's painting of Sunday Afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte, this afternoon felt like we were in that painting.

Here is the mascot of the Cherry Blossom Festival: A Beaver. No idea why, but the kids thought it was cute. Hope kept peeking to see where the "person inside" can look out.

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We biked to the other side and enjoyed the Reflecting Pool and the Monument. Lisa is standing on the stairs outside of the Lincoln Memorial.

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A picture of one of the greatest American presidents. The memorial was packed with tourists. 

 Enjoying a break at the World War II memorial. Hundred of others had the same idea of dipping their feet into the cool waters. 

 Spring has finally come to the DC area.