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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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.

16 comments:

  1. Your pictures are amazing, thank you for sharing! What a wonderful place--great idea about getting a membership. I'm sure you'll get your money's worth. I love that you guys spent all day there! I am a nature chaser too! Can't wait to see the butterfly emporium. I went to the one in Chicago--it was so awesome! Makes me miss Rivinia too!

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    1. I agree! I really miss the Chicago gardens. But these are just as beautiful! Come visit, I'll take you :)

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  2. I found you via instagram and am so thrilled to have done so. We are in Missouri too and have a membership to the garden, so worth it. Our little girl is only turning 1 on the 25th but we plan on taking her to the butterfly house for her birthday and think it will rock her world. :) The gardens are so fun to explore during the different seasons and I saw in the members magazine that they are going to have lights for the first time this winter which might be fun to check out.

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    1. I definitely have the butterfly house on our list, too! I saw the pamphlet about the lights- I think that will be so cool!

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  3. Such a very pretty place - and that pic of your hubby with the extra yellow "hair" made me giggle! :-)

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  4. Looks like a beautiful spot! My husband was looking over my shoulder chuckling at your picture of Brian.

    We had a good laugh at his nymph story too. Naughty boy. ;)

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  5. Oh Ruthie, your pictures are always so perfect! So cute & stylish & even funny (the one of Brian, yes, but that one of Rowan laying down made me chuckle out loud). So beautiful & what memories!!

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  6. YAY! This is one of our favorite places in the world too! It's so cool to see you and your kids in our stomping grounds. If you do become members, we should meet up and let our little ones run wild in the children's garden someday. I have a feeling your Rowan and my Oliver would get along very well. :)

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  7. This pictures are beautiful. I have looked at them over and over. They feature two of my greatest loves: grandkids and gardens. I can't wait to see them live. Love, love, love.

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  8. Great pictures! I love all the flowers and gardens and it's especially great that other people don't get in the way of these beautiful shots!

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    1. Well, I yelled at everyone to get out of the frame. So they did ;)

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  9. What an awesome collection of pictures. Beautiful family (and I love the matching dresses that I got a preview of on instagram!). I always think this place looks amazing when I see pictures of Lauren's boys there, and these images confirm it. The little blogging world becomes even littler! :)

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  10. holy moly- you and your daughter in your matching yellow dresses is too much. too cute.

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your comments are the peanut butter to my jelly!