{Time to say goodbye 

my little butterfly}

We have been preparing for the butterfly release by watching the weather forecast.

Today reached 56 degrees.

That is just one degree above the required temp for butterfly freedom.

We started the transition by placing their portable condo in the sunshine.

Their wings opened to take in all of the rays :)

It was beautiful!

At first when Jax opened the top of the condo, they all closed their wings and started shaking.

They made no attempt of escape.

They seriously seemed scared.

Jax started doubting that this was the right time for them to leave home.

I encouraged him to help guide them out since they trusted him as their daddy :)

The first butterfly actually flew directly to our butterfly bush!!!!

OK, so the bush is totally lacking in any kind of moisture or nutrients at this point in the year.....

 but hell!!!

You've gotta admit that we raised some genius butter-babies for them to know exactly which bush to call home!

To say that Jax is feeling "empty nest syndrome" is an understatement :(

We (Jax and I) have grown attached, and enjoy looking in on the butterflies every morning to see if they've had any kind of advancement.

They each have their own personalities and you can see the hierarchy.

I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING!!!

The little runt always got pushed out of the way of the fruit punch bowl.

I'm glad that all 9 of them can know the feeling of spreading their wings and the joy of freedom in their last days of life.

I know I sound crazy talking about something that has a brain maybe the size of a microscopic pooh ball, 

but these are living creatures.

You can't help but have a love for something that you have nurtured and protected through 3 stages of life.

We will truly miss them.