Frederik Meijer Gardens

I had been wanting to go to the Frederik Meijer botanical garden & sculpture park for a couple years before we finally did. You know how that goes, right? You keep saying ‘Next year we really need to go to *insert some new place, not too far away*. We all know, you just never genuinely make an effort to get there though.

I had my couple of true excuses though. First off, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a ‘guy thing’ for my husband. Secondly, I wasn’t sure it was going to be ‘cool enough’ to drive so far for.

Two summers ago, my girls and I had a “girls day out”. I decided if it was a disappointment, it would only be a true disappointment for me this way. I didn’t play it up to the girls, just told them we were going to take a road trip to look at some pretty flowers.

When we drove up the long drive and this was in front of me, I could tell it was going to be amazing! I was in love instantly, and immediately didn’t care about the two hour drive I had just made.

Do you see that big greenhouse? Wait till you see what amazing things are inside!

Orchids and Venus Flytraps, amazing tropical flowers, and cacti.. oh my!

Outside of the greenhouse was this little beauty… thinking she’s not so beautiful? Here name is “mad mom”! Now you’re looking at her a little differently aren’t you? LOL I know I did!

There were other sculptures as well.. this one was my favorite! Yes that is my then 3 yr old under the horse…massive huh?

This was another cute little sculpture I took a picture of. The most important part about this one though? Umm it was in the Children’s Garden!

Yes, there was a whole other level to this garden & park. I am telling you guys, I was amazed around every new corner! See the ‘door’ on the side for the kids? A-door-able :)

This little guy is awaiting the children on the other side. He reminds me of Stewart Little.

A little ways up the path, a fountain.. and don’t worry guys, I am NOT giving everything away in this long post… there is so much to see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Like a treehouse?! Yes a two story, amazing treehouse  with a bridge and other “features” I won’t give away on here. There is just so many awesome things to see.

I just felt like it kept going and going, but in a good way.

I mean, how adorable is this alone? I wanted to take him home to my garden.

Did I mention that there is a farm here? Yes, a full on farm, sans people and animals living in it, but very cool none-the-less. There are bathrooms in the farm, but the rest is not for walking through.

I hope your mind didn’t “drift off” in this extra long post, but there is just too much. I loved every. single. last. thing. As I said earlier, I promise there is so much more to see that I haven’t given away on this post. I couldn’t find enough pictures before we went to put together if I wanted to drive so far, but believe me, it is so worth a long trip to see this place. Be sure to put on your walking shoes & sunscreen, and bring a stroller for any toddlers. My girls were “out” before I made it a mile down the road, but they still talk about it two years later.

Oh Sweet Summer

 

Short and sweet today.

With this rainy, wet, foggy, slushy, yuck outside I am wishing for this…

St. Joseph, Michigan… how I can’t wait for your sunshine!

Another Great Weekend!

Did I ever mention how much I am in LOVE with summer? I do, I love summer.. Friday night, our town put together a movies in the park night. My girls loved it, although they had already seen Toy Story 3, they had a blast. They danced, ran around in circles, picked flower, ate popcorn, got glow necklaces, oh yeah, and watched the movie. Me, being a mommy, and a bit of a “big baby” {pun intended}, I got a little choked up by this movie. “silly mommy”!

Also, did I mention that we live close to Lake Michigan? Well, we do, and I try my hardest to make the best of the little bit of summer we are given. We went to the beach for the first time on Sunday, I felt really bad about that, till my daughter said she “still has sand on her” after I had given her a mini shower and a bath as well. I love the beach, but I do not love the sand in my house

Overall, we had an awesome weekend. What adventures did your family have this weekend?

Staycation - Michiana

 

As you can all see from my recent posts, I have just been in California recently. This being said, I will have to plan some things closer to home now that I have limited funds for a bit.

I have been noticing around the Blogosphere that lots of people have been posting about staycations just in the nick of time. This got me to thinking, I need to start thinking about what things I want to do this summer. Here are a few of my favorites around the area, but I am sure we will be doing new things as well. We’ll blog about them later!

 

     

Potato Creek

My family and friends like to go to Potato Creek and have day picnic/grilling out sessions. We also have been known to take a hike on the trails after, to burn some of those calories

 

 

Saint Joe, MI

We absolutely love Silver Beach, it might be a little chilly in the water, but it feels wonderful on those hot August days!  Once we brush the sand off our feet, we take a little walk uptown to the Main street, so that we can have ourselves some Kilwin’s. This ice cream place is like an old-fashion soda shoppe, they have fudge and chocolates too! YUM

 

                

Shipshewana

There are so many things about this town that I love, I really don’t know where to start. The amish all around make you feel like you are taking a step back in time.. I love the slow pace, it makes you appreciate the little things. The crafts everywhere make you appreciate the handmade. There are bakeries around every corner making it time for a cookie, all the time.

 

 

The South Bend Chocolate Company

Whether you visit the factory or just the café downtown, you are in for a treat (pun intended). I visited the factory for the first time last year, and believe me it is worth the small upcharge to get to make your own chocolate spoon! They give you a tour of the factory, give you free samples, and finish up with a movie. If you decide to go to the café, there is much to see there as well. They have an indoor jungle gym for the kids, a café with cheesecakes and mochas for the parents, and a old timey candy shop on one side for both. I don’t need a reason to go to this café, seriously.