hatching butterflies.

Elsa received a butterfly garden for her birthday and we had so much fun "raising" our butterflies. We watched the five caterpillars grow, change into chrysalises, and then emerge as Painted Lady butterflies. Our friends had invited us to River Farm for a picnic and I thought it would be the perfect place to release the butterflies. There were so many flowers in bloom.

 

Oliver wasn't really into the butterfly release party.

 

Any perfect summer day ends with a soaking by the sprinkler. 

And one of the best picnic foods...veggie bagel sandwiches!

the lavender farm bunnies.

The lavender farm had a fantastic play area with an amazing play house. It had a fun loft inside, play kitchen, chalkboard, and even a front porch with a swing. After cutting our lavender we spent at least an hour enjoying the play area and wide open spaces. There were also lots of bunnies and the kids had so much fun holding them. Oliver tried his hardest to catch one. The girls got so mad at me when I refused to buy one. (Siblings: Remember Sally the bunny? Yeah, that didn't end well.)

 

It was a perfect summer afternoon for swinging in this bench and enjoying the view while the kids played.

Enjoying our lavender at home.

pick your own...lavender?

I love the Groupon/LivingSocial/etc discounts but I often find myself scrambling to use them before they expire, even when I purchase them months in advance. However, I often discover fun new places because of them, like the Seven Oaks Lavender Farm. After our delicious picnic we were ready to pick our lavender. Everyone got a basket and some scissors and we got to work cutting our lavender. There were also lots of wildflowers that could be cut for free to make a fun bouquet.

Amelia was completely in her element. She just looked like a natural in the lavender farm. An open field of flowers and a basket to collect treasures is just her thing. Elsa got right down to business and quickly cut her allotted number of lavender. Oliver quickly wandered away (and is also a little crazy with scissors) so he spent most of his time in the stroller and saved his energy for the play house and the bunnies (I'll save that for the next post).

The lavender field was small but beautiful and fragrant and full of butterflies. The surrounding country landscape was idyllic and the weather was perfect (pre-heat wave).