Hi, my name is Maggie Monarch. I'm a friend of Flutter, the Butterflies are Blooming mascot at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

From the day we were little eggs I’ve kept a journal of everything that happened to Flutter and me. I even drew some pictures! Go ahead and take a look.

DAYS 1-10
Here I am my first day. My mom found the perfect spot for me to grow. It very warm and dry here, and I'm protected by my hard, waxy shell.

DAY 11
I hatch from my egg, and I am so hungry! They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they’re right!

DAY 12
It seems like I just can’t get enough to eat. But luckily for me, Mom put my egg on this delicious plant. And everywhere I look, there are more leaves to munch on. Yum!

DAY 13
Oh dear, have I eaten too much? My skin seems very, very tight. I feel like I’ll burst if I take another bite – and I was right!

DAYS 14-30
Wow! Check out my great new outfit. I look good in stripes, don’t I? Well, I’ve gotta run, I’m meeting Flutter for breakfast, and lunch, and dinner. Maybe I’ll shed my skin a few more times, too.

DAY 31
Yaaaawn. I am soooo sleepy. I need a nice long nap. I’d better find someplace quiet and safe, away from hungry birds and the rain and the hot sun. Oooh! The under side of this leaf looks perfect. I’ll just hang upside down right here.

DAY 32
There! I’m safe and warm, and as snug as a bug in a rug. Hmmmmm. Maybe too snug. Oh well, it will be okay for a while. Nighty night.

DAYS 33-40
I don’t think I like this! I feel like I’m changing from a caterpillar into something else. But what? I’ll ask Flutter – as soon as I get out of here.

DAY 41
This cocoon has gotten way too tight. I gotta get out of here. Maybe if I push a little here, and poke a little over here, I can bust my way out of this thing.

DAY 42
Wow, talk about a make-over! Check out my new, sleek body and these great orange and black wings. And look at me – I can fly. But I had better get busy. I’ve only got a few days to visit some flowers and drink nectar, find a mate, and lay some eggs, just like my mom.

I hope you enjoyed my journal!