Kids scamper as we make our way through the Desert Botanical Gardens. Spring is in full bloom and my sister is here with her family for a visit.
Shhh, is that a rabbit we see? Boys crouch down focused on finding the rabbit in the brush. One breathes out: “Oh a cottontail.” My niece spots a gambel’s quail. Our memories are flooded with rich detail from books we’ve read and tidbits gathered from previous desert explorations. Flowers are inspected and modern garden art is studied and analyzed. Three-year old thoughts on modern art are quite enlightening.
Oh the joy of exploring and discovering together… There is pleasure in knowing about things that enhances experience. It builds upon previously garnered knowledge creating a beautiful framework in which you can tuck new nuggets of information.
My parents are enjoying having all EIGHT grandchildren gathered together. My sisters and I have enjoyed introducing the newest cousins (all about 6 months apart in age) to one another. And there is nothing quite like sitting next to my brother-in-law on Sunday mornings as he joyfully belts out praise to our King! I’m looking forward to one more week with my sister and her family before they head back up to Michigan!
Photo credit: All but the first picture were taken by my wonderful sister, Bethany.
We spend most of April in Scottsdale visiting my parents and I always love our day at the desert garden! Last year it was nearly empty and the volunteers stopped us every few feet with hands on demonstrations! We all learned so much that day!
Love the scenery! We’re so ready for spring here in NC…it’s been too cold, too wet, and too dreary for too long! We’re finishing school here in just a few more days and I think we’re going to spend the rest of the year doing hands-on fun stuff – museums, zoo, discovery place, etc. I”m ready for it! (and totally envious of those shorts you’re wearing by the way…It didn’t get out of the 40’s until late afternoon here 😉
We do the hands-on, outdoor stuff now and then buckle down again with inside school work in the summer when it is too hot to do much else. 🙂
I mentioned K2’s comment about the modern garden art sculpture to Dennis, who said he shared his sentiment!
Oh, DO tell what a three year-old’s thoughts are concerning art! I’d love to hear 🙂
How wonderful to spend time with your sisters. I adore my two sisters and cherish the times all the cousins are together, (perhaps one day you’ll all live closer). I think you should come home with your Michigan sister and then drive another 3-6 hours to hang with me 🙂
Love those desert plants! We have a few in our greenhouse but can only dream about a whole garden of them!
oh I look forward to the day when we get to meet in person, Heather! I have a black thumb, but just love greenery and the outdoors. I’d be in heaven visiting your nursery.
My three year old nephew is quite verbal. I’m trying to remember now some of the fun terms he used to describe some of the art. He did say over and over at one sculpture that he just didn’t understand. He was pretty confounded… 🙂
How wonderful that you get this time together…enjoy it to the fullest! We look forward to seeing you soon! 🙂
I love the pictures & your mom is beaming. Tell Bethany to enjoy her week. Hopefully, spring we be in the air when they get home. They need to take a weekend drive to Holland for the Tulip Festival.
She’s been pretty happy as you well know when all of your grandbabies are home! 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you soon too, Debbie!