Magical Gardens

Thursday, August 2:  After Brendan's swim lesson, we drove out to my house and rested for awhile--Aidan took a very brief nap, we ate our lunch, and then we decided to have a look around Meijer Gardens. Little did I know that the boys had been here only yesterday with their babysitter! I probably would have chosen something else if I had known, but Brendan never mentioned it; so I assumed it had been a couple of weeks since the kiddos had visited.

Anyway, this is a magical little place. The Children's Garden has grown over the years. It is a beautiful and fanciful place for little ones to play and pretend. 

I forget exactly what this spot (below) is called--there is a little hut that can serve as a puppet theatre (there USED to be puppets, according to Brendan, but none could be found when we were there). A little group of children, all from the same family, were in the middle of a "performance" when we arrived. Brendan opened the door and joined right in. He was assigned the role of a "sleep-walking chicken" which he played with all of his heart: eyes closed, arms flapping, and him clucking like there was no tomorrow!

 Aidan watched for a little while ...

 But he wanted in on the action.

 The other children moved on to a different area, and Aidan gladly entered!

 Oh! And look who we met while we were at the hut! This is Jasmine (aka JEM). She is the granddaughter of my first cousin, Lois! Jem was at the Gardens with her other grandma (Julie). Isn't Jem the sweetest little lady of a child?

 I am uncertain what caused the cloud-burst from tiny Aidan. Brendan looks as guilty as can be--but he wasn't!!!

 This is the beaver hut. I definitely remember that there used to be beaver puppets here--but no puppets were to be found. 

 Dear Aidan's sadness vanished as quickly as it had come, and he was back to his happy little self.

 We went digging over at the dinosaur dig. Aidan was VERY pleased to have his own shovel.

 He dug in the sand like a pro.

 "Hi Mr. Turtle!"

 "May I join you?"

 "You look like you need a little company!"

 "Mr. Turtle and I are chums!"

 "We are on a first-name basis!"

 Aidan in the wolf's den.

 We spent some time over in the Great Lakes area ...

 Aidan joined in every activity.

 I love these pictures of the boys and the boats ...

 Especially the picture below ... Aidan enjoys being with Brendan so much.

Meijer Gardens is a magical place to spend time with grandchildren. There is an abundance of things to do. So thankful it is so close by!