Butterfly Exhibit (April 11, 2012)

We've wanted to do something special with SD while in Grand Rapids for awhile now so that all of his memories and associations of the place are not pokes and chemotherapy and doctors. We finally had our first opportunity to fulfill that desire today!

A friend graciously took Emma overnight so we could leave a day early and take SD to the tropical butterfly exhibit currently featured at the Frederick Meijer Botanical Gardens.

It took SD a bit to wake up after our drive, but he seemed to enjoy seeing the butterflies. He liked the birds we saw even better, but his favorite part was definitely the bridges. Once he noticed those, he couldn't get enough of leading Mandy over each one multiple times.

When we asked SD to pose for a picture, he decided it was time to play with Mommy's hair.

We finally convinced him that there was more to explore outside, and strolled over to the children's garden. They had a "five senses" section with plants for each of the five senses. SD looked, smelled, felt, and listened. He especially liked the smelling and feeling.

A little further down, they had a scale replica of the Great Lakes, complete with little boats. SD enjoyed navigating the Soo Locks a few times.

The children's garden included several learning trails. SD was initially apprehensive about entering this beaver's home, but he agreed to go in once Mandy did. Mandy unintentionally scared him with a beaver puppet, but SD recovered quickly and ended up enjoying this little play place.

Just before we left the beaver house, SD started tracking a robin on the boardwalk. He was attempting to be stealthy as he walked towards it, but the robin cautiously hopped further away until it turned a corner. We continued on to the tree house.

We think one of SD's biggest enjoyments was the rope bridge in the tree house. He was enthralled with how the bridge moved! SD crossed this bridge at least a half-dozen times!

We're so thankful to everyone who helped make this day happen! We don't want SD to think of "hospitals" or "doctors" as painful experiences, and we're sure this day will help with that. Specific thanks go out to our friends who watched Emma overnight when they were asked at the last minute, and to Frederick Meijer Botanical Gardens for giving us a special rate. This was a great day!