Ceci Van Syoc

ALL AFLUTTER Raising monarch butterflies is a passion for Joe Cialone and his neighbors, sisters Ceci,10, (middle) and Emie Van Syoc, 7, who prepare here for a release. What started as a mutual interest has bonded them like family. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

MONARCH MISSION Joe Cialone and neighbors, sisters Ceci Van Syoc, 10, (middle) and sister Emie, 7, prepare to release monarch butterflies. The neighbors have bonded over their love of monarchs, a creature they raise from egg to full-fledged orange and black creatures, ready for flight. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

All eyes to the skies as they prepare for launch. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

BUTTERFLY BEAUTIES It’s all things monarch butterfly for sisters, (from left) Emie and Ceci, who love to wear them and hold them before they take off north in flight. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

PASSION PROJECT Laura Van Syoc, flanked by daughters Ceci, left, and Emie, right, started raising monarchs during the Covid pandemic, a fun alternative to traditional paper and scissor crafts and other activities. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

Ceci palms a handful of fat caterpillars, inching their way into becoming butterflies. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

Ceci holds a container with several dangling chrysalis – the pupa stage of the butterfly that becomes a beautiful jade green – as Emie looks on. (Photo: hartphoto.com)