The 2011 Caterpillar Massacre.

Last Friday was the wedding I'd been helping out with.

I knew that my dear caterpillars would need some fresh leaves before I left town.

I totally forgot.

I got home Saturday afternoon, and all but 1 died.

The children were devastated.

I was so upset.

How could I have let this happen?

So I got a clean jar and some fresh leaves and I moved my remaining caterpillar.

That was on day 16.

Wilson {as we've started calling him} was tired, weak and I honestly didn't think he'd make it.

Day 19

Wilson was showing much more activity and eating a lot more!

Today.

Day 22.

Wilson is getting so big.

He's been showing more interest on moving up the side of the jar, so I've put a coffee filter up there to hang and create his chrysalis.

This will allow me to move him to the Butterfly cage where he'll emerge from the chrysalis in due time.

We're all pretty excited.

I just feel bad I won't be able to have any butterfly eggs.

I won't get to do this all over again.

But I've learned a lot.

The kids have learned more than me.

It reminds me daily that life is fragile.

And that I'd never want to live in a glass jar.