Bridget's Decathalon Relay Challenge

I am planning a team relay competition, that also promises "Fun for the whole Family" while challenging our physical strength, agility and mental capacities. (This might be a slight exaggeration). There is no specific training schedule I can suggest to insure that your team takes home the gold. However, you may want to spend the week honing you gum chewing and bubble blowing skills. PS. This morning we awoke to see two more butterflies in the jar.

Breaking News: Silverarrow's First Butterfly

Just minutes ago at approximately 6 o'clock (central time) in the Keating home on Silverarrow Circle our first butterfly was set free. The caterpillars that were found just weeks ago nibbling on the dill in the new family garden, and were nurtured in jars over the kitchen sink. Before forming their chrysalis the caterpillars went through $8.20 of dill and the jars had to be cleaned of feces 8 to 10 times a day. "It was disgusting" says middle daughter Laura when reflecting on the caterpillars eating and discretion behavior. "We were fascinated by the rapid growth of the caterpillars and enjoyed the entire journey of our fellow creatures" says Bridget who served as the primary caretaker of the caterpillars. As the caterpillars lay dormant in their chrysalis during the time of transformation the excitement slowed in the Keating home. But this evening, while preparing dinner, Bridget exclaimed "We have a butterfly!" as the fragile creature flapped its wings against the clear glass jar. Laura assisted her mother in realeasing the butterfly in a scene reminiscent of the 1993 motion picture Free Willy. The family awaits the hatching and prospering of more butterflies.

Caterpillar Infestation

Here are the caterpillars I took off of our dill plant on Thursday. They will become Black Swallowtail Butterflies. There are 16 of them living in this mason jar. After this picture was taken, I separated some of the larger ones into another jar, because they seem close to creating cocoons. We tried to feed them carrot greens, but they definitely prefer the dill. They are getting fat really fast. I will put another picture up soon. My only worry is that they will be emerging while we are in Block Island. We will have to let Marie take them.