TGP Children's Garden

To me this is one of the best kept secrets of the valley. With our TGP family pass we can get in FOR FREE!  I am guessing during the summer it may be crowded here, because I'm probably the only one who didn't know about this great place.  We decided to hit up TGP again before the weather cooled off.

I love following the boys through the hedge maze.  I let them take whichever turns and twists they wanted.  With the difference of opinions between the two, they worked a little on compromise.  We did make it out of the maze.  We did get quite a bit of excercise.

This is one of my favorite parts of the garden.  No one else seems to like this section, which suits me fine. It seems like other kids enjoy throwing the blocks into the woods, rather than building things. It suited my boys just fine to be able to scour the woods for the building pieces.

Karter was mostly in charge, since Karson seems to be the type of boy who would rather throw the building pieces into the woods ;)

There is a learning classroom where they have storytime and crafts.  We skipped the storytime (too crowded - hmmm... I sense a theme with me), but we enjoyed the craft.  Well, Karson mostly enjoyed eating the fruit loops.  How many kids have touched those fruit loops?  Funny that doesn't bother me.

Both boys enjoyed the stream.  They collected small boats, which were really pieces of foam and wood, and floated them down the stream.

Yes, there was a sign that said *no swimming*.  Funny this didn't bother me either.  Or bother Big Boy who was so concerned with Mom following the rules earlier this summer at the library.

The highlight of the Children's Garden is the Noah's Ark.  When we first arrived it smelled strongly of chlorine and it was too cool to get wet.  After exploring for awhile, we went back to the ark and it was perfect.  There were alot of kids, but not too many.  I sat and enjoyed Pinterest on my Ipad, while the boys got wet.  There is a sign that clearly states *No Food Allowed*.  Everyone around us was enjoying snacks and lunch, so I shouldn't feel guilty about our uncrustables, should I? This is only a guideline, right?  I told Big Boy this rule is there so we don't leave trash around, so we didn't.

Karson loved Noah for some reason.  He wanted to know *who is this guy?*.

A drinking fountain is always such an amusing place.  Especially if you are in a swimsuit and mom doesn't seem to care, because she is pinning on Pinterest.

After a little time in the water at the Ark, an employee came and told us the Ark was closed. Apparently the health department had been by, tested the water, and deemed it not safe to play in. ICK!  I try really hard to not be a judgemental mama, but one of the mom's continued to let her 3 yo play in the water.  She had a sippy cup and was filling it - drinking the water and dumping it on her head. I wanted to gag. We gotta go home, my boys need a shower......