The Botanical Gardens

We went to the botanical gardens today with the Hamiltons.

The Butterfly Exhibit

Lot's of butterflies. In fact one was so big, it looked like a bird in my peripheral vision as it swooped in and landed on my eye. I yelled and swatted it away-(which is a big no no at the gardens) My eye still hurts. This thing was huge!!!

The Worm Box

The kids loved this. They actually only found one worm but really enjoyed digging in the soil. Okay, I have to rant just a little. We were in the designated "CHILDRENS AREA". Noah found a Century Plant husk and was playing with it. A woman of the grumpy, know it all,children should be seen and not heard variety scolded Noah and said not to touch anything-it may disrupt the surroundings etc... etc... At first I was apologetic-until I realized she didn't even work there and AND we were in the childrens area. You know it's interesting all the talk on childhood obesity/laziness/lack of imagination that seems to plaguing the children of this age. The children who are not welcome to hike on the trails, ride bikes in the street, or otherwise make their presence known in any area where children are not solely designated to be. Well-I will take my children hiking, bird watching, and exploring. We will visit art museums, botanical gardens, and the theatre. Further more I will stop making my children only ride on the sidewalk in front of our house. Play in the street! I'm paying for it too! Slow down people, and if your reflexes are a little lax-maybe you should stop driving. I am sick and tired.... Okay, I'm done for now. Here are some fun pics.

Do worms bite?.....

The gardens are very inspiring. Jared and I can't even seem to master the grass patch in the back yard-but we do have garden aspirations. A yard full of edible landscape.... I want a salsa garden, an Italian herb garden and a salad garden would be nice too. I would settle for a salsa garden though. We also want citrus trees. Orange and Lemon. Hannah and Noah planted seeds from a squash, tomato, and bell pepper. We had them in cups and various potters along our front window. They sprouted and looked really promising. Then I put them outside where they froze then burnt up. I did hear later that they probably wouldn't have produced anyway. Most grocery store produce is-"sterile". Those are my words. The person who I spoke with sounded much more intelligent on the matter and is an avid gardener.

The weather is amazing right now. I just want to lay outside all day long...........................................

-Mel