Botanical Gardens

Ok, so I have finally accepted that, although it is July, it's not hot and humid like I love it to be. I have given up my dreams of taking the kids to the pool every single day (although we still go often!). And I have decided to embrace the opportunity to do things that are usually not possible in the extreme heat, since I don't like to torture the kids. So today I packed a picnic lunch and headed to the Botanical Gardens. What a beautiful day! The flowers and gardens looked amazing, and it was 75 degrees and sunny. The kids and I had a great time out there. Julia is getting MUCH better at walking. This morning she walked from the TV to the kitchen. If you don't know our house, that is about 15 feet. I think she stopped because the floor changed from carpet to hardwood, because she was walking great. I think she chooses to still crawl because, well, she's so darn fast!
Walk this way, Julia...

I had to force Grant to sit here. He thought a bee was going to sting his bottom. I promised him if that happened, he could pull my hair (it didn't happen, but MAN he made a big deal about it!)

Grant climbing Mt. Fuji. I guess this is 1/500th actual size. Grant thinks it's cool that I've climbed the actual Mt. Fuji and wanted to see my Fuji stick when we got home.

Julia is crazy about Grant!

Big girl!

Grant liked to smell the red flowers, since red is his favorite color :)

There is an amazing model train display at the gardens. It is huge and has lots of trains running. We had a great time watching it all.

I have a picture of Grant at this gate when he was Julia's age. Can't believe how quickly 3 years have gone!