botanic gardens

We decided spur of the moment-like to go to the Missouri Botanic Gardens this past Sunday.  If we ever planned an outing in advance, it would be shocking, really.  It was especially spur of the moment since we had meant to go to the butterfly house, which is on a different campus.  But we decided to stay and look around the gardens and save the butterfly house for another day.  It was a great decision.  The sky had opened up and poured rain earlier in the day, so some of the stifling heat was held at bay, and the gardens were all but empty.  The littles absolutely loved it.  Just loved it all.  And it made my heart feel so happy that they enjoyed it so much!  Brian and I have visited gardens all over the world, and this one ranked in the top 5, for certain.

 There was a lot of Chihuly art featured throughout the gardens, which I liked.  I do like how his art echoes nature, and it really doesn't detract for me.  I know others don't like his glass sculptures that well, but I enjoy them.

 Especially when I can use his sculptures for funny pictures of Brian.

 These are water lily pads.  They were about 3 feet in diameter.  Whoa.

These nymphs cavorting below really sparked an interesting topic of conversation with Fletcher after Brian told him that I used to be a nymph that he had "caught."  Oy.  Lots of questions about me living in the forest and dancing naked ensued.  Thanks for that, Brian.

 The littles really loved the Climatron, which was basically an indoor rainforest.  There were lots of waterfalls and tiny creatures to examine, and it was hard to get them to leave.

 Tiny creature alert:

 There was a children's garden that we didn't get to, but we plan on checking that out on our next visit.  The littles didn't mind missing out on it, since there was so much to see.

 Fletcher insisted upon running through this fun fountain.  Rowan just watched.  She didn't want any part of being wet.  I really resisted the idea of Fletcher getting soaking wet, since I assumed we'd never hear the end of how wet and uncomfortable he was the rest of the trip.  I was wrong.  He laughed and ran and enjoyed it so much, and then didn't say ONE WORD about being wet or uncomfortable later.  Proud moment for me!  And a learning moment for me to trust my littles a bit more.  They are starting to gauge what they can handle.

 The Chinese garden was a favorite.  Especially when we found a massive bullfrog singing away.

 I loved the box hedge garden, and I heard a tour guide say there was an actual labyrinth garden on the grounds, but we didn't get a chance to find it.

 The fruit and vegetable gardens were rife with fat bumblebees and butterflies, and we stayed for a while to watch them work.

 I think Brian's favorite garden was the Japanese garden.  We didn't get a chance to fully look it over since littles were complaining of tired feet and thirsty throats.

 Fletcher took off his shoes after running through the fountain, and didn't want them back on.  So we let him wander around barefoot and happy.  It gave him better access to splash in puddles and water anyway.  Both my littles are drawn to water.

 There were a lot of original structures all over the gardens, including this gate house.  So cute, right?

 My little peeping Toms.

We're planning on becoming members and taking advantage of all the campuses around St. Louis that are connected to the Botanic Gardens.  It was really an amazing day that we all could enjoy.  Once Rowan got past the fact that she wasn't allowed to pick any of the flowers, that is!  I can't wait to go back when the Fall foliage makes an appearance.