Butterfly Wonderland

Today we met up with Auntie Liz in Scottsdale to check out the brand new "Butterfly Wonderland," which is America's largest butterfly atrium.   And it is AWESOME!!!

 

It is incredibly challenging for an amateur like me to get pics of butterflies in-flight.  Which is too bad because there is a GORGEOUS blue butterfly from South America whose wings close when not moving and you can't see the blue at all.

 

Christian was frightened by the butterflies as they flew by him, despite my many explanations that they couldn't possibly hurt him.  Scarlett, on the other hand, just liked to watch the action.

 



 

Got a shot of this blue butterfly before it closed its wings!!

 

 I learned a little something today, too - kind of representative of life, I suppose.  I was spending a lot of time trying to get the perfect picture of these beautiful butterflies.  So much time looking through the tiny viewfinder on my camera to appreciate the "big picture" that was surrounding me:  countless butterflies peacefully fluttering all around.  A gorgeous site to behold.  

 

I noticed a couple of older ladies sitting on their respective benches, just absorbing the beauty and calmness around them.  Just smiling and watching.  *

 

I've always got my camera with me - either my Canon or my smart phone camera.  I am always eager for that perfect photo to share with my blog readers, or on Facebook and I typically don't stop to just enjoy the moment.  I plan to do so more often - there's a lot to see in this world and I need to be mindful of not missing so much of it!

 

(*of course, these ladies didn't have a five year old and a 17 month old to keep track of, either ... ha ha!!)

Christian's Preschool Graduation

Today was the day ... Christian graduated from The Goddard School!  He's been there three years and next up is kindergarten!

Christian's head was the only head that was TOO BIG for the cap to fit!  They had to us bobby pins to secure it to the back of his head. :)

Singing their cute lil' song!

And here's a personal performance of that song:

Christian was asked what he wants to be when he grows up. 

The answer won't surprise you. :)

And of course, Christian realized his "diploma" could double as a telescope!

Christian and Auntie Liz

Christian and his teacher, Miss Andrea

Viva Las Vegas de Los Luceros

"Los Luceros Party of Four" hit the road for the first time to meet up with Granny and Grandpa in Las Vegas!  It is a relatively short drive from Phoenix, but we were nervous about traveling with two kiddos - particularly Miss Scarlett who gets mighty feisty after being in her car seat too long.

 

The big question about Las Vegas is, "Where did you stay?"  We were thrilled to have found a great hotel called Tahiti Village Resort.  It is far up the strip, away from all the Vegas sleaze.  And there is no casino at this hotel, which is FABULOUS when you've got kiddos with you.  They had an awesome pool surrounded by lush landscaping and palm trees.  We got a large, double suit which provided plenty of room for all of us. 

Our first walk to the pool area.   Awesome pool with a sandy beach entry!

 

Scarlett was mighty fussy at breakfast and on this rare occasion, fell asleep in Jonathan's arms -

so I had to record this moment in time! :)

 

 

As a preschool graduation gift to Christian, Granny and Grandpa treated him to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.  Thanks Granny and Grandpa!!

And Grandpa had a great time walking around with Miss Scarlett!

 

 

Then it was time to hop the Monorail and head to the Fun Dungeon at Excalibur!

 

Granny and Grandpa blessed us with a rare date night - Jonathan and I got to see a movie and we returned to find Scarlett had fallen asleep on Granny!

 

A day on the strip - first stop:   M&M Store.

 

Jonathan and Christian bought a ridiculous amount of M&Ms ... which accounts for our weight gain over the weekend.  We didn't eat at a single buffet, but these M&Ms added the weight.  Lesson learned.

 

A stop off a the Bellagio to see the fountains.

 

Christian spent much of his time up on Papa's shoulders.

 

 

Christian looks at the hotel map to help us where to go next.  He loves maps!

 

At last, it was time to go to the pool and lazy river!

 

Scarlett actually let Grandpa put her shoes on!

 

We had such a great time in Las Vegas with Granny and Grandpa!  We're thinking we should make it an annual trip!