For weeks we have been watching five caterpillars, grow in their cocoons and now into butterflies. Ready for release! Yesterday Evan said, "out to planet earth!... Good for the earth and flowers."

Evan and I talked about how three of the butterflies flew off with their beautiful wings, while two butterflies stayed back on some bushes near the house. One of them is on Evan's finger here.

Yes it is my job as his mama to teach him about academics like lifecycles of butterflies and other beings. But I am also always thinking long-term and how to help Evan in life as a human. Processing this constantly changing and challenging world. Evan and I talked about letting go, which can be hard for humans generally. Change. In autism especially though, consistency and the same thing over and over (not change) can be what is expected. Change experienced is exacerbated.

Evan and I talked about the fact that these 2 butterflies stayed back, that was OK. Just like butterflies, we all do things in our own time and that's OK. It's OK if some of us are quicker or faster in some situations, that as long as we are growing, that's what is important.

Constantly learning with this boy.