A Trip to Meijer Gardens June 2011

We have a wonderful botanic garden here in Grand Rapids, MI given as a gift by Fred and Lena Meijer of Meijer Grocery stores fame. I have been to botanic gardens in all over MI, FL, NY, IL, WI, NV, Washington DC, and probably others that don’t come to mind at the moment  and I have to say Meijer Gardens one of the best. Their children’s garden is particularly fabulous with several large water features it is just the ticket for a warm summer day. We are patrons which gives us the benefit of a family pass plus 2 and trust me we use that pass LOTS. Since I have extra passes come tickle your toes in the water, run among the bridges of the tree houses, and sit down for tea. It was a glorious day.

The little boy in blue and Caelun took turns squirting each other with the water and laughing.

Mom brought extra clothes so a change and then it is off to the tree houses. There are 5 and they are all connected by bridges.

 

Then it was time for a tea party.

‘Have some tea Mommy’

‘mmmm good tea’

‘Did you say tea for two?’

Back For More Butterflies At Meijer gardens

Because we have a family membership – I think our plus 2 level makes us contributors which sounds really fancy (wink)- we have unlimited access to the gardens. Caelun so loves the butterflies so I took him back for a repeat viewing. This time we got to see an enclosed space where monarchs were coming out of their chrysalis. We also got another view of the indoor water features he so dearly loves. We also took a tour of the turtle tank downstairs. Cheers for Fred and Lena Meijer for building this fabulous treasure so near us that we are able to frequent it on such a regular basis.

Watching the monarchs

off to the fountains

He probably isn’t supposed to be touching that but – oh well.

On into the main arboretum

Then downstairs to say “hi” to the turtles.

Butterflies are Blooming at Meijer Gardens March 2011

March brings butterflies to Meijer Botanic Gardens in our neck of the woods. We have a family membership plus 2 so we go quite frequently. For this trip it was Caelun and my God-daughter Nikki that came along. Caelun loves the fountains and waterfalls no matter how many times he has seen them. May I always be appreciative of the beauty all around me – no matter how many times I have seen it. I think Natasha, like me,  was just grateful to see some green after a long winter of snow.

This is me taking a picture of Nikki taking a picture of Caelun.

The joy of a fountain garden.

On to the butterflies.

Nikki and Cae-Cae take a stroll under the waterfall.

Yeah for green plants and butterflies.