Meijer Butterfly Garden

Mike took several days of vacation this week and was able to go to the Butterfly Garden and Sculpture Park with us today.  The weatherman had given a forecast for temperatures in the 60s.  But fell far short of his estimate.  It was 39 degrees.  Madelyn decided that the temperature was mind over matter and wore shorts. She was a little cold, but we all had fun anyway.

Part of my goofy family while we wait for the rest of the group to arrive.

Love the plants.

Paige the butterfly.

Allie the butterfly.

Some of the butterflies.

Looking around fro butterflies,

We see this face sometimes during our school day

Madz catching up with the Meijers.

Huge sculpture of nap time.  I could use one of these.

I love this. 

Allie calls this Two-Face.

Butterfly Garden

Our homeschool group went on a field trip to the Meijer Garden in Grand Rapids yesterday.  Each year, the garden brings in butterflies from around the world for 8 weeks.  The butterflies live about 2 weeks, so new butterflies arrive four times throughout the exhibit.  It has been several years since we went to see the butterfly exhibit. 

                                             Madelyn, Paige and Allie and our good friends

The tropical garden which contained the butterflies is filled with gorgeous plants.  I love all the bright colors.

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The indoor and outdoor gardens are filled with sculpture. 

Paige and Allie had a lot of fun in the children's outside garden.  It contained a maze to explore, a pioneer cabin, a giant tree fort, sand pit, dress-up area, and interactive sculptural map of the Great Lakes.

Paige and Allie at the entrance to the Children's Garden.

Paige and Allie played a mean game of old fashioned checkers.

Listening to a guide explaining the difference between moths and butterflies and the life cycle of the butterfly.

It was a lovely day away from our normal homeschool day.  I also enjoyed getting away from the chaos of moving and renovations.