Looking out my window here at the WMTA HQ, I can't help but notice the tell tale signs of spring, only four days away. The snow drifts are dwindling, the grass is greening, and folks going for the mail don't have twelve layers on. Ah, spring. What a uniquely transitional time of year. Before we know it, the browns and grays of winter will be replaced with pink tulips, yellow daffodils, and the orange of butterfly wings. Butterflies!
Is there anything more quintessentially spring than butterflies? I think not. Spring = butterflies. Butterflies in spring = Meijer Gardens.It's that simple. When you start seeing announcements for the Gardens' annual
Butterflies Are Blooming event, you know the season has arrived. And this is no mere butterfly house. The five-story tropical conservatory is turned into a fluttering frenzy of 6,000 local and exotic species, freely flying from flower to flower, dazzling visitors with their colors, textures, and all around whimsy. As you may recall from
our fall visit, the Gardens are magical year round. Add butterflies to the mix, and you might as well start each sentence with "Once upon a time" while wearing a princess cap and fairy wings. Yes,
Butterflies Are Blooming transforms you into a young girl searching an enchanted forest. No small feat, especially if you're a dude.
Butterflies Are Blooming isn't all fairy dust and frolicking though. It's interesting and scientific and wonderfully educational. How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? How long do they live? What do they eat? What makes their wings so iridescent and colorful? What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly? All these questions are answered with informative signage that is sure to get the conversation going with your favorite little ones. Informative and fun? Yes, it's a double whammy in the parental handbook. Look how sneaky you are.
This Week's Giveaway
To celebrate spring and the wonderful world of butterflies, we're giving away a family four pack to the
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, located on East Beltline in Grand Rapids. All you have to do is tell us what your favorite thing about spring is. The winner will be picked on Friday, March 25.
High five,
-Shannon
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| Here's looking at you, kid. |
7 comments:
Where to start? First thought is I love the Easter egg hunts! Or at least watching my daughter get so excited for the Easter egg hunts, and then maybe helping her with the jelly beans :)
Once upon a time,while visiting family in Glen Michigan. I rescued a butterfly from the waves of lake Michigan.Gently encouraging the "soaked to the wings" creature on to my selve.hoping to give it a chance to dry on a rock or branch only to discover the little butterfly was not interested in leaving my being,so I carried it up the 90 stairs to show my sister's and Mum. My mother Katherine loved butterflies,so I offered this butterfly to my mom,look what I brought up from the shore for you!!! My mother's reply-where's my darn rock from the lakeshore???? Oh mum,.....
I LOVE Spring! I get excited when I see the beautiful flowers popping through the ground and bright green buds on the trees....adding life and color once again to our earth. It also reminds me that the Butterfly Exhibit is just around the corner and I get to see the new little creatures that are breaking free from the chains that bind them and fly around in that warm tropical paradise for all of us to enjoy and capture in picture form. I can't WAIT!!
There's so much to love about spring! I love the slow but steady transformation of the landscape from dull brown and gray to lush green, accented with the brilliant colors of flowers. One of my favorites has to be when I spot the first crocus poking through the ground, soon to burst forth with brilliant gold or deep purple blooms. And of course, I am thrilled when all the seasonal ice cream stands open up for business in early spring! My family loves Butterflies are Blooming. It's such a delightful harbinger of spring.
My favorite part of Spring is the weather! I love going for those first few walks with my four kids and our two dogs wearing only a light jacket. I am always SO ready to pack away those snowpants and boots.
My favorite part of spring is the weather and the flowers that start to appear. Only means we're getting closer to summer!
I've heard great things about the Meijer Gardens, I've got to put this on my summer to do list!
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