Family Fun (Plants)

  I don't know if spring is only here because the calendar said so or not.  By the way the weather is acting it's definitely not a confirmation.  I heard today on the new Punxsutawney is wanted.

  Apparently people are fed up with the lies!   With a few more days of a threat of snow this weekend I have decided to start pretending spring was here with a little bit of planting.

  If spring won't come to us we will do it our ourselves.

Some of my perennials are coming up so I know winter is almost over.  This pot has some Hostas.

 I will clean it out after the snow is gone.  Until then I will keep the debris for extra warmth.

  We planted a variety of flowers.

So now we will sit and watch them grow! 

Next we will maybe plant some veggies!  I did plant some parsley for the butterflies and found some milkweed I'll need to plant as well.

  Have you started planting flowers?  Do you plant flowers or buy them. I will buy a few plants as I can't grow everything and I like all the colors.

It's OK (by me)

It's that time again. A time to reflect on what we did a little less then perfect but, who cares!  Shake it off! It's ok! I'm going to play along with airingmylaundry today as I tell you what items/events/activities are OK by me.

Check out her latest post here.

This week I'm OK that I missed the Oscar's.  Whether the movie won an award or the actor or actress won I will see it if it interests me.

  Im OK that it has rained here for days, and when the sun comes up its cold.  This is March just making a statement.  I'm happy the flowers are hanging in there!

  I'm OK that after filling out several applications for a job I will be lucky if one person calls but, that just means the other jobs were not meant to be.

  I'm OK that the new book I'm reading #Girlboss is better then I thought! I don't have the desire to be my own boss but her words are motivating beyond that title.  She offers encouragement to think more of yourself and do more with yourself.

  I'm OK that the scale has not changed in regards to my weight because I can see the fit of my clothes is better. My muscle tone is increasing and my but has got a couple compliments too!

  First full week of March! New month! Almost spring!  What are you OK with?

Maymount Adventure in Richmond Virginia

  Richmond is a few hours away from me so when the kids and I travel there we take advantage of the sights unique to the area.  One of my favorite places to visit although this only makes my second visit is Maymont.

  Maymont is a large estate that includes gardens, a mansion and winding trails showcasing a variety of animals.  You cross bridges, walk past streams and waterfalls and even climb stairs as you stroll the 100 acres.

There are several garden arrangements. The Japanese garden was our favorite. 

 I spy with my little eye a waterfall! It was so unexpected that it was really neat to see.

On the trail we saw the regal Bald Eagle!

American Bison were visible from the trail!

A barn showcases the transportation of the past.

The kids got a kick out of the other kids!

Maymont is definitely a must see in Richmond, VA.  In addition to all of this, they also offer activities and several special events for an additional fee throughout the year.

Wordless Wednesday (A day in the garden)

  We have had an annual pass to our local botanical gardens for years.  It's somewhere we all like to go as a family.  Every time we go and see something different.  There are more then just flowers, plants and trees here.  There is also a cafe, a children's play area and more.  It's a popular wedding venue so we have also caught a couple bride sightings.

Off we go with the kids leading the way why because they enjoy it just as much as me.  

It's nice to go multiple times because different flowers grow at different times of the year.

I love in the summer when they open the butterfly house.   This is a must stop on our visit to witness eggs, caterpillars and butterflies.

We spend a good couple of hours here every time we go. We ride the tram around then walk on foot through the whole thing again. 

Do you have an annual pass to somewhere?  Where do you find yourself visiting often?

Spring Foam Fun

  It's spring time and that gives us a chance to take a closer look at little creatures and appreciate colors and flowers.   I thought it would be nice to make our own spring scene on the window.

  I thought about what spring meant to me.  Flowers, sun, birds, clouds, ladybugs and spiders.  I am working on a couple more pieces that I'll add to it and I'm sure I will get special requests.

  I cut out pieces out of foam and colored some of them to fit my image.  I had foam on hand from separate purchases at The Dollar Store and Walmart.

  I was busy cutting and making details on like things like spots for the ladybug and legs for the spider to list a few.  It didn't take that much more effort but sometimes it makes me feel better when things I make can be identified without questions.

For these to stick on the window they need a little water. To minimize mess I added a small amount of water into a medicine cup and added a paper napkin. Just dip your finger in.

The medicine cup is just the right size for little fingers.  Dip your finger in the cup then wipe the water onto the foam.

Stick the foam piece on the window. It's all about the placement. So of course the clouds are getting placed in the sky.

This is a super inexpensive way to keep your kids constructively busy.  I will be using this as a learning tool for my son.

What color is this flower?

How many legs are on the spider?

What are the leaves attached to?

What shape is the sunrays?

We have previously played with foam pieces in the bathtub as well check that out here.

Next up I will be making a foam garden with vegetables! It will probably do better then a real garden tended by me. 

Pictures Speak (Botanical Gardens)

 

  We are members of the local botanical gardens.  I enjoy this membership as its one place that is always changing.  It changes with the season as well as the holiday.  You may even get an exhibit passing through that stops there for a period of time.  Over all however you get to experience the freedom to roam, see what's growing at the present time and stop to smell the Roses!

I love a good tree.  They all have their own personality.  With or without leaves the gardens have an abundance of trees just like flowers.

Beautiful historic bridges that also make a great photographic backdrop.

Caterpillars are in abundance in the summer time.  I even got too see some I have never seen before.

If you keep your eyes open  you will see more then just caterpillars and butterflies.

A squirrel in the tree in such a odd way had us talking about camouflage.

Our Rose gardens bloom twice a year! Lol, I said our like I had a part in this.

A wildflower field is another great photographic backdrop as well as see the variety of flowers in a wild and carefree area.

It's not all about the flowers and trees.  Random berries or seeds decorate the trees making them unique.

Lastly, there is always time to stop and smell the Rose's!

Now that the holiday season is here we will go back to take a ride through the gardens at night with the holiday lights.

The Gardens (day trip)

  Do you have a membership anywhere?  Have you contemplated getting one but decided against it after doing the math.  Thinking it wasn't worth it.  You wouldn't go enough times for it to pay itself off.  Didn't like the place enough to come back.  Or just thought maybe later.

  I currently have only one membership.  In the past it has been several but at the moment just one.  My current still active membership is for the local botanical gardens.

  This year for the first time I took advantage of bike night.  Of course the gardens opened their hours and days up to more opportunities so that helped.

  The gardens allows you to ride through most of the grounds as long as you stay on the path which is great for little ones.  My kids thoroughly enjoyed riding through and sometimes we took advantage of the splash park.

  Riding around the park may change up your miles and time but for the most part.  You can at least get a few miles of trails accomplished.  There are plenty of benches to take a break and a few water fountains if you need one.

  These are just a few of the activities you can do at the gardens in addition to seeing all the beautiful flowers in bloom.  When you have a membership you get the privilege of seeing multiple flowers in bloom at any given time.  Throughout the year different flowers, bushes or trees go in bloom randomly.  Even in the colder winter months you are presented with something to look at.  The Rose garden blooms twice a year once in the spring and once in fall.

  They have a beautiful butterfly exhibit open a few months in the summer.  In here you can take advantage of seeing the complete life cycle.  You can ask the staff about what flowers to plant in your own garden to invite and feed the caterpillars and butterflies.

  Over all membership does have its benefits.  I also receive discounts in the store as well as on various classes and tours they offer. Norfolk Botanical Gardens never gets old as the scenery is always changing.  Grab you family and get outside.  Get moving, get fresh air and discover something new at the gardens.

Stop and Smell the Flowers (Pinterest Challenge Day 10)

  Another craft project but one you or kids can make! Afterall aren't we always looking for something for the kids to do?  This project can even be given away which is a bonus.

  I picked up some tissue paper the other day for another craft that I probably will never do but hey; I am doing one now so it all worked out.

  Grab some tissue paper, a circle shape to trace, scissors and a pipecleaner.

  I actually picked up my tissue paper variety pack at the dollar store so I'm not breaking the bank.

 I used the lid of a container to make a circle shape and cut it out.  I folded the paper a few times so by the time I cut the circles it was about 10 circles or so.

  After that you make a hole to punch in your stem and pull some of it up.  I twisted the tip a bit to get to stay in place.

   Next you start to crinkle/roll your flower.  Take each circle and bunch it up to make your flower full.

That's it.  By the time you are done with each circle to your flower you should have a very close paper resembling a flower.

  Think of the endless possibilities now.  I used yellow and only made one but, different colors and even a bouquet of flowers in a vase.  I'm just saying bridal shower, baby shower, birthday or Mother’s Day these flowers can help decorate any area.

  I declare this a #pinterestwin!  Super easy craft. A cute flower at the end of an easy process.  Endless possibilities with colors, cuts and could even spray some scent on there.