The intention this day was to watch the annual monarch release at the butterfly house in Whitehouse. This event takes place every year in late September and we loved seeing it last year.
When we arrived, however, we must have missed whatever announcement was made about the lack of release, but the buzz around all the visitors was that the release had taken place sort of unannounced a couple weeks prior due to specific temperatures and weather conditions that would have made a later release problematic.
But the place was still pretty packed! And they had lots to see and do, so it certainly wasn't a wasted trip.
The mini straw "maze" was mostly populated by bigger kids hopping across the tops of the bales so my kids just followed suit. :)
The little fish pond surrounded by pretty rocks and flowers is always a hit. The property is really very beautiful.
This was hilarious. I just wanted a quick picture on the butterfly bench but neither child wanted to smile, so they took turns trying to hold the other ones head high and/or force their face into a smile. Cracked me up. :) Sophie looks like she's strangling Will!
The butterfly house must have taken on some reptilian friends! I don't remember ever seeing snakes or iguanas or lizards there before but they were there today! Will even got to hold a couple snakes outside. He thought that was soooo cool and Sophie even took an interest after seeing the fearlessness of her brother. :)
Checking out some others.
Since we opted out of a corn maze this day, we decided to pay the entrance fee and head indoors to visit the butterflies. (Normally, the release event - outdoors - is free.)
This one was Will's favorite.
LOTS of chrysalides!
Sophie carried around the butterfly identification card to try and match what she saw to its picture.
Obviously, the kids and I know not to touch a butterfly's wings, but I was able to get one to step right onto my finger by placing my index finger just in front of its legs. Cool!
Just as easily, our fluttery friend transferred to Will's finger too. :)
This guy was in a glassed habitat right by the entrance/exit.
On the way out, we stood inside one of the greenhouse type tents (sweating our butts off, I might add) to score a balloon animal from the friendly balloonist in there. Next to him, there was a lady wearing a turtleneck AND sweater while painting the childrens' faces too! No way were we doing that as we were heading home for lunch and nap. ;) But I can only imagine how hot she must have been! Although I'm sure it was chillier in the early morning, it doesn't really make sense why they'd set these things up in the greenhouse on a warm day??
Anyway, the kids picked out their balloon colors and selected their animals. Will chose a red dog and Sophie a pink butterfly.
Just like at the Fresh Beat concert, Soph waited with her hands behind her back. Stinkin' cute!
The morning continued to warm and we were soooo grateful for the water bottles we'd brought along. Even on colder days, we NEVER travel anywhere without them because the kids are inevitably thirst after every outing. Always.
What a cool place. If ever we decided to switch to using fresh cut Christmas trees in place of artificial, I would definitely love to visit their Christmas tree farm across the street from the butterfly house (same family/owners) too.
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