raising butterflies

We gave Elsa a live butterfly garden for her birthday. A friend had given her one a few years ago for her birthday and she loved doing it. I was worried the butterflies weren't going to emerge before we left on our trip but luckily they did. We were watching them at just the right moment and got to see one emerge from its chrysalis. We released them at Yates Mill one evening where there were lots of flowers blooming.

butterflies at brookside.

A few weeks ago we took advantage of Amelia's early release day from school and went to Brookside Gardens in Maryland. The "Wings of Fancy" exhibit had opened again and we loved it so much last year that we wanted to see it again. There are so many butterflies and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Oliver was eager to point out every butterfly he saw.

The biggest moth in the world!

butterflies at brookside

The "Wings of Fancy" butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens was AMAZING! We've been in several butterfly houses but I've never seen as many butterflies as we did here. And so many different kinds of butterflies. The kids absolutely loved it.

Amelia wanted a butterfly to land on her finger so badly.

Oliver spent a lot of time going in and out of these flaps.

Of course the rest of Brookside was beautiful and green and lush.

We ended the evening at Ben's parent's apartment (which wasn't too far from Brookside) where we had dinner outside by their pool and went swimming (in the very cold water). Oliver had such a blast in the water but sadly, I forgot to bring my phone to the pool so no photos.