Gardens Galore

Yesterday my MIL took me and my kids as well as two other nephews and a niece to Longwood Gardens. I had heard about it several times but had never been. It was truly beautiful. A must for the lover of all things planted and anyone else who appreciates prettiness.


The kids were all given children's maps and referred to them often.




Ethan decided that there should be statues under these arches.




There were at least three different tree houses. They were every kids dream and I took pics so Dennis could replicate someday.



Also know for its fountains, this was a definite highlight for all the kids.




This was the "covered porch" as they called it in the Peirce-du Pont House. Again, I took pics for Dennis to use as an example for when we build. I know he's going to be thankful!

The kids were most interested in the cat napping here. We later found out that there are several cats on the property (though this is the only one we saw) who are considered employees. They each have a place where they live complete with kitty doors, are fed and given check ups all in exchange for rodent control. This one must have been on break.

Next stop was the conservatory where there was a Indoor Children's Garden. Even though it wasn't huge they could have stayed there all day.

Here the girls are getting a Lima bean with a wet cotton ball to take home for germination. At some point poor Ella lost hers and my sweet E gave hers to her cousin. I was so proud of her generosity and that it wasn't prompted by me!

There was a small room with paintbrushes and they could dip them in the fountain and paint the walls or anything else in there. Great idea to use at home.

He LOVED playing with the water.

Did NOT love when it was time to move on.

He was soaked, but they provided towels.

When I wouldn't let him do this,

he threw a fit like this. Oh yes, discipline days have been here for a while now.

There were the biggest lily pads I have ever seen.

There were monkeys under the banana tree.

Playing in the Topiary Garden. It felt very "secret garden" to me.

Then they got thirsty. This was more fun than their water bottles.

At the chimes tower.

The falls below the chimes tower.

The Eye of Water

Our navigators. 6 kids, 5 1/2 hrs of walking, no meltdowns. A successful day.

We went back to MIL's for dinner and the wheat had just been cut and baled.

Den wanted to ride back to check out his clover fields and we found wine berries. I thought they were so pretty, and tasty.

So did V.