Thunderboy!

Grandma Huish sent Kellen and Jane a butterfly chrysalis in the mail in fall of 2010.  We put it in a jar and set it on a high shelf in Kellen's room where it was pretty much forgotten for six months.  We would look at it from time to time, but never really expected anything to happen.  Well, at the beginning of April I was deep-cleaning the kids rooms, throwing things out, when I suddenly heard a rustling sound.  I thought there must be a mouse in the room!  I couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from!  Finally, my eyes darted upward and I witnessed a miracle!  A gorgeous butterfly was climbing out of it's winter home, and struggling to unfold it's wings!  I called for the kids, and they came running.  Kellen was especially excited.  He instantly named the creature THUNDERBOY!  Perfect name for a gentle butterfly right? ;) 

The chrysalis.  This is how it looked when it came, and this is how it stayed for about six months.

And this is what emerged!

After hanging in his jar for half the day, I Googled some butterfly info and learned that we could take him out and let him live in our house for a while.  He hung on our curtains (they have to hang for a while before there wings are stiff enough to fly) and we would take him down now and then to feed him by placing him near a cotton ball soaking in a little bit of water and freshly squeezed orange juice.  He would stick his little "nose" into the cotton ball and drink up.  Cool, huh?!! We thought so. 
Once he started flying around the kids got a little too excited, and Jane in particular wouldn't leave him alone.  It was windy and cold that day, and I worried that if I put him outside he wouldn't make it.  So, I let him live in our nice warm garage for two days.  Finally, the weather warmed up and we set Thunderboy free.  He immediately soared upward, and we lost sight of him after a short while. 
It was such a spiritual experience to have this little creature in our home.  He once was a chubby and awkward little caterpillar, struggling from place to place.  Then after a "death" he was reborn, and emerged a beautiful butterfly able to soar into the sky.  It made me cry!  I know I'm a cheese ball!  What can I say?
My kids look for Thunderboy now in every park, and have spotted him a couple of times!  Even down in Utah at Grandmas house!  Although Kellen thinks that must be too far for a butterfly to go, so it must be his cousin. ;)
On a side note, we've had a lot of thunderstorms lately and we like to sit out on the front porch and watch the lightning and listen to the thunder.  Every time the thunder rumbles Jane says, "Ooooh!  It's a Thunderboy!"

This picture doesn't show the beautiful purple and orange highlights near the bottom of his wings.

Here's a better view of his face and antennae.