Minnesota Arboretum

Now that preschool is done for the year and we still have Meagan coming to help Tuesday and Thursday mornings until the end of May, I have declared these mornings as Exploration Fun Days! With an extra set of hands and eyes, I will try to take the kids to some fun places that are hard for me to do by myself with all the kids. This Thursday we went to the Minnesota Arboretum out in Chaska. It's a beautiful, magical place that would takes days to explore as an adult and will definitely be a perfect place to take kids who can last walking just a little longer. Until then, this is still a wonderful place to bring little kids -- just keep the expectations a little lower. The boys loved it, but had trouble keeping all the rules -- stay on the paths, don't climb on the stone walls, don't pick the flowers, don't pick up rocks, don't climb the enormously climb-able sculptures around every corner -- When we were leaving the park, Dietrich says, "Mom, these people have problems." I said, "Really? What problems, Dietrich?" He replied, "They don't let you touch anything. That's crazy." I kinda thought so too. Still, beautifully maintained, lovely to be in and walk through...and miles and miles of trails where there is no one to scold or guide you back onto the immaculately groomed trail. I liked the wild parts best, but appreciated the walled and bordered and tended gardens too.

 

 

Lincoln being silly for Meagan...

 

There were hundreds of Tulips in every color and style imaginable...These double tulips were amazing...

Dietrich loved the flowers...and requested a picture with them.

Cool boardwalk across the wetlands...with woodchip walking paths winding off into the marshes -- quiet, pretty, and perfect for little ones. They loved this part -- It led off into miles of forest trails but we only went for awhile longer despite the kids' protests that they wanted to keep going (I knew we had to go all the way back and that they didn't have that much left in them). Thankfully, we turned around because they barely made it the last 20 minutes of the hike to the car. One day soon we will tackle those long trails...until then, I am thankful they had this and a picnic under a ginormous tree with woods bordering their backs and quiet marshes stretching out in front of them...

Sweet girl still recovering from many days of illness...