Mariposa

 "Cutting" orange slices

 Balancing Act; note intense concentration

Waiting for Mariposa's

Seeking opportunities to introduce the natural world to a toddler in Shanghai takes concentrated efforts. It is a big, smoggy city with busy business-people; a concrete jungle. They do have some lovely parks and the use of apartment buildings helps move urban life upward rather than outward. Getting in touch with nature, is still a bit of a challenge.

O is in the bug phase. It may be longer than a phase as she is REALLY into bugs. She insisted I squat beside her at the park yesterday to watch a colony of ants parade around. We did this for twenty minutes. Bugs gift her with an attention span I cannot compete with!

On that particular walk in the park, we chanced upon some cabbage moths (we called them butterflies) and ONE, beautiful black and blue butterfly. Though she was a little leary due to the fact that they are much more fluttery than ants, she was so keen on them, she signed a whole made-up scenario to Dabby when he came home last night (she signed butterflies and then signed that she stepped on them. I think she is confusing this with the poor worm that met his fate under her shoe the other day!)

On the way home from the park adventures, we bought an orange to see if we could entice butterflies to enjoy our balcony. Years ago, Adam and I went to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Ontario and I remembered the butterflies enjoying orange slices. When I mentioned  to O that we had to cut the orange in slices, I found her running to her velcro veggies to get the wooden 'kiddie' knife (see pic. 1!) 

Once sliced with a 'big' knife, we carried the tray of oranges out to the balcony and sat waiting.

Even if the oranges attract ants, it will be well worth the wait!

EXPAND ON BUTTERFLIES: 

At http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/ brilliant Mama orders caterpillars for metamorphasis!

Check out http://www.mariposaforest.com/ to receive lovely stories addressed to your child.