A Visitor

Did I promise you pictures of Stella's birthday? Yeah, I'll get right on that. But for now, today we had an unexpected visitor in our living room. Stella said "Look, Mama, it's a butterfly!" and by golly, she was right!

See, I know that is a butterfly because he is resting with his wings up. (Thanks, Jerry Pallotta and your Icky Bug Counting Book that I have read approximately 3,754 times.) I am not so sure, however, that he is not a she. But in either case, it was thrilling to have him visit.

Please don't look at how dirty my window is. A butterfly beating itself to death on the window is not the time to break out the windex. Just snap a picture and help the poor critter. Stella thought he really wanted a snack. We found lettuce and celery leaves in the fridge. Erm, I don't actually know what butterflies eat. For all I know they turn carnivorous after they emerge from their cocoons.

And this little guy didn't want a thing to do with the little snack we prepared. Might have been the stress of the occasion, though. But Stella was dismayed. She probably would have set out some tea in a little silver service if he had wanted it.

Stella then decided he wanted to be outside. I wasn't so sure, seeing as how it was snowing out, but I carefully lifted him up and put him in Stella's hands.

and she brought him outside.

And left his snack on the step for him in case he changed his mind.

She was really sad when he left. We hoped to see him flying around, but he completely disappeared.

It is hard to be three and have to let your pet go free.

But wait!

Maybe he's flying in the backyard!

Oh, my sweet girl. I see a lot of heartbreak in your future. You look just like your Dad, but your heart is as vulnerable as your Mom's.

After she was done looking out the back window Stella told me "Wow, that was a really fun time."  I agree, though I'm not sure she knows that it was more fun to watch her than it was to watch the butterfly.