Warning: long post, photo heavy, does contain knitting content:
So, after the 1000 Knitters meet up at Wool Gathering we still had a lot of the day left so we decided to take the kids to Longwood Gardens. Now, I'll tell you I wasn't sure this was a good decision because I honestly wasn't sure that acres of flowers and planted gardens was going to hold my the kids attention for real long. I mean it sounds wonderful but how long can you keep a 4 year old and a 9 year old happy with nothing but flowers?
Not only was I surprised at just how much I loved this place but the kids had a great time. There's lots of beautiful flowers (of course) but there's also history to read and lots of room to just relax and be yourself. We strolled around for hours, ate in the cafe, and really just played like we owned the place.
The flowers are amazing to say the least and really the entire place is just beautiful...
I think this one was my favorite of the entire day:
That little bundle of the most dainty, perfect flowers I have ever seen truly looked as if it had been molded from wax. Just amazing.
As you can see I took about a gazillion pictures. I have a terrible habit of taking great pictures of the kids only to find out, once we're home, that there appears to be a tree of a kite or some other strange object sprouting out of somebody's head in the background so I figured I'd just go ahead and do it on purpose and get it over with...
Yes, I know this is a cheesy thing to do but I couldn't help it. It amused me to no end. The really funny thing is that this same boy thinks farting is hilarious but got annoyed at his mother taking pictures of a fountain sprouting from his head.
His punishment? I made him do it again... (and I laughed even harder the second time)
And the most amazing thing of all I found at Longwood Gardens? Well, another knitter, of course!
I spied her from a mile away... sitting on a bench all alone... knitting! You would think I could have composed myself enough to just say hello and make some sort of polite comment about her knitting , but no. I had to plop down beside her and say something really mysterious (and possibly a little scary) like...
"Ohhhh... I just have to sit here for a minute with you! Wait til you see what I have in my bag!"
I'm pretty sure she was really relieved when I pulled my knitting out of my backpack. See, she looks relieved doesn't she...
"So, what are you knitting... I'm making a hooded play vest for my son... oh... really... a baby blanket for a friend... how nice..."
"Ahhh... merino... how wonderful....."
"Oh yes, lets exchange email addresses... I think I have a pen... hmmmmm.... yes a lovely day.... have you seen the fountains...."
So, now there is proof that for every 1000 square acres of planted gardens there are at least 2 knitters.
Anyway... we all really did have a great time partly because the place is so big and open that there was no waiting in line and there was plenty of opportunity to just play. We hung out near the giant topiary animals for a while and Tater climbed a big grassy hill just so she could roll back down. Mac Daddy spent a good bit of time trying to find dirty words in the scientific plant names and was quite successful.
At one point the kids found a large area that had the thickest softest grass ever and they just flopped right down in it...
"Look at you guys... the grass is so thick you've almost disappeared! Oh my... where did you go... Honey, look... where did they go...."
Well, that was the start of Tater's mission to "hide" in every grassy patch she could find. (Ummmm.... hello... we're in the middle of a rather... ummmmm... large area that is rather inclined to have a lot of grass so you can imagine how this went, right?)
"Mama! Can you see me? Did I disappear again?"
"Mama! Look.... I dista-peeeerded again!"
"Mama! Come find me!"
"Daddy! Daddy! Where'd I go?"
"You can't seeeeeee meeeeeeee!!!!"
"I'm Innnn-bista-bull!!!"
She just didn't get sick of "hiding" in the grass. She wasn't just giggling she was belly-roll laughing the whole time. A long time, repeatedly.
I wish I was that easily amused. Then again, maybe I am. (See fountain pictures above.)
We always called your unknown plant a rope plant. The greatest thing is, when you smell the flowers, they smell like chocolate. Look in your local houseplant store, I'll bet you'll find one. As for Tater, enjoy it while you can. They grow too fast and get way too serious...
Posted by: Mary N | April 29, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Hi there, delurking here. Wanted to tell you that I have the plant that was your favorite hanging in my kitchen. Well, not that exact same plant, but the same plant. Heck, I hope you get the idea. My grandmother called it a burro's tail. It blooms like that off and on all year long. I love it. And the fountain pictures. Hilarious!
Posted by: Kim K. in PA | April 25, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Love the fountain pictures!! Perfect punishment for his being annoyed, too.
Tater does do a good job hiding. And it's truly amazing how easily entertained they are.
Watching your kids totally enjoy themselves without electronic gizmos and just enjoying nature --- priceless...
Posted by: Kara | April 24, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Love the fountain pictures!! Perfect punishment for his being annoyed, too.
Tater does do a good job hiding. And it truly amazing how easily entertained they are.
Watching your kids totally enjoy themselves without electronic gizmos and just enjoying nature --- priceless...
Posted by: Kara | April 24, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Sounds like a wonderful day. We visit the local arboretum often to feed the ducks and tramp through the bushes. I should totally bring my knitting next time.
Posted by: KM | April 24, 2008 at 12:02 PM