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?

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.

Wordless Wednesday

   We finally got to check out the Garden of Lights +NorfolkBotGarden.  I think we made this an annual tradition officially.  Everyone enjoys them and we point put different things we may see and sing together.

  This is a great way to see plenty of lights in various ways, frogs jumping, a spider and many more things.  You stay inside your car and drive through the gardens and are able to enjoy various displays made of lights out of all sides of your car!

  No complaints from all the occupants in my car young and old.  It's just a nice way to get out and spend time together.  Bonus is catching neighborhood displays on the way there and back.
 
  Check times and rates for available discounts.  If you arrive early you may get to skip the privilege of waiting an hour to enter the gardens!

  Have fun and go check out some lights!

Wordless Wednesday

I have been outside a lot this summer.  More this year than any other.  Maybe because my little ones are older or I am getting older and appreciate it more.  Here are some scenes from our outdoor visits.

We have visited multiple state parks, our local Botanical Gardens multiple times, the local park, Colonial Williamsburg and the beach.  I think the more time we spend outside the more comfortable my kids are getting.  The bugs bother them less and they are getting used to seeing natural beauty.  I hope they see the beauty and learn to respect it as they grow.  Picking up after themselves, minimize their waste and enjoying it.  

  They are always pointing out a bird or mushroom even a rare flower gets their attention so I know they understand that it shouldn't be taken for granted.