Chicago Botanical Gardens

 

Jocelyn and I spent a lovely Sunday in July at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  We had been there once before with Mom for Mother’s Day, but we weren’t able to see everything.  This time more things were open including the greenhouses, both tropical and dessert, and the butterfly exhibit.

These one to one moments with her are so precious.

My Superhero!

I loved how the water pooled in the heart of this plant, soaking into the inner, spongy, heart.

Very rare Ghost Orchid.  Only one in the whole garden, displayed in the case shown below.  It was tiny, about the size of my thumb.

I've seen lots of cactus flowers in my life, being from Arizona, but these were just so vibrant and colorful.  They almost looked fake.

Joci really loved being our navigator for the day.  Grandpa would be proud how well she read the map.

My beautiful, precious girl.  Always so many smiles!

We thought these were amazing.  They were dense and furry like a soft coral that had been flocked.

Loved how the dew on these leaves looked like rhinestones sewn onto the edges.

I loved this spot in the gardens.  The way the arch looked out onto the lake.  I could spend some serious time there.  If I could I would hang a hammock, grab a book, and spend the day napping and reading.

Next to the butterfly garden there was a little 'river' that the kids were running around in.  By the end of the day, Joci and I decided to soak our sore feet in the cool water and hang out in the shade.  It ended up being one of our favorite parts.