A Welcome Summer Friend

For the past several summers we have had the pleasure of butterfly visits in our yard each night after dinner. The same species of butterfly comes to play with us. I know this sounds odd, so let me explain. When I say "play" I truly mean it. These butterflies are very friendly and will land on our face and body. Many times we are able to gently touch them. They will chase the washers we throw into our washer pits. They circle around our heads, playfully teasing and taunting. 

This is one of my favorite photos of my daughter with Rico, her favorite of the butterflies that have visited us in summer. 

A short video of Rico playing with The Kid

She truly looks forward to the nightly visits.

I'm not sure if it's pure luck that we have these nightly and even yearly visits, or something much greater. Either way, the time we get to spend outside with each other and the butterflies is special. 

State Capital Fun!

Last week my family traveled to our state capital- Columbus! Mr. Locke was heading there for a board game convention, so the kid and I decided to tag along and take in some of this city's best family friendly spots. Our first stop: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The Columbus Zoo has not only lions, tigers, and bears (oh, my!), but also houses a temporary exhibit-Dinosaur Island. This "island" is located in the upper section of the zoo and is home to some 25 animatronic dinos. These lifelike creatures move their heads and tails, growl, and roar. The coolest bit is that they blink. I was a dinosaur enthusiast as a child, so seeing these big beauties in their proper scale was a dream come true! The kid loved them as well. The zoo has adapted their pre-existing boat ride around this theme which, in all honesty, is a perfect melding of the two. Mist, mood music, and water spewing from some of the dinos added perfect little touches to the ride as well. The kid asked to go no the ride, which I gladly obliged. Hey, if education can be thrown in with a fun day, I'm on board! Get it? On board?

To read my full review of The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Trekaroo, go here: