A Southern Fairytale

We were tired of the same tan walls, the sound of our own voices echoing as they bounced off the floors, the walls, the ceilings of the house that we’d been cooped up in with strep and flu for over a week. So, we did something radical.

Instead of ushering each person off to their own room to fight the madness.. we left. our. house.

I used Mr Google and found out that we had a Botanical Gardens and Nature Center within 20 miles of our house. Why YES we have lived here for 4 years thankyouverymuch.

47 “Are We There Yets? and 10 I’m hungry/tired/thirsty’s later.. we arrived.

The first thing the kids wanted to see.. the butterflies

I tested out my macro attachment, can you guess why I love this picture so much?

We walked among a rainbow of Orchids and visions of Alice in Wonderland danced through my head.

I realize now that my kids have never heard the full version.  They’ve only read the watered down Children’s Book Version.  Well, we’re off to the library today to remedy that, I think we’re ready for Chapter Books at Bedtime.

The Sun played a game of Peek a Boo with us darting behind clouds and inspiring my kids to play a game of their own.

It was a magical day.  A day of learning and wonder and nature and family.  A day without TV or video games, a day outside.  a day that lent itself to stories, wonder and roving imaginations.  My kids saw and touched and smelled, they frolicked and ran and danced and climbed and hiked and I took hundreds of pictures.  I’m so glad that we chose to go outside, to get away to explore because as I was going through the pictures and smiling… I saw this picture and I realize that my kids are walking their own paths, they no longer need me to hold their hands every step of the way.  Instead of walking beside me, they’re ready to lead the way.