The Butterfly Flutterbye

Before we moved to Texas, I started researching the town we were moving to. One of the most exciting things I found was that the town of Grapevine has a Butterfly Flutterbye every October to celebrate the migration of the Monarch butterflies through this area on their way to Mexico. Well, since Addie loves the TV show Little Einsteins and they have a whole episode devoted to Monarch butterfly migration, I knew she'd be excited.

We found out the event is free (!) and includes a costume contest, parade, and butterfly exhibits and activities. Count us in!

I got an idea for a costume for Addie one night when she was wearing her hooded towel after bath, and grabbed the edges of the towel and flapped it like wings. Aha! Why don't I make her a cape of butterfly wings so she can flap her wings like a butterfly?

So I cut orange fabric to the shape of wings, and painted them like the Monarch. I attached black rubber hair ties to the edge of the wings so Addie could slip her fingers through and be able to flap. I attached a ribbon tie so she could wear it like a cape and it was done! (We already had some antennae from a ladybug costume, so I just added orange fabric to them). The costume only cost about $10!

Here is the finished product.

Here is Addie modeling her costume at the Butterfly Flutterbye!

She loved it and I was thrilled it came out the way it did.

We didn't win any prizes, but I could care less. We liked it and liked that it was very different from all the other costumes. Out of hundreds of other participants, she was the only one who wasn't wearing wings made of wire and mesh. Yay for being unique!

Flutterbye Pt.2

There was a great firetruck to play on while we waited for the parade to start. Addie climbed up and decided to do some dancing.

Oh, this girl cracks me up.

Flutterbye Pt.3

Waiting for the parade to start...

This picture just cracked me up.

Happy mommy strolling with her little loves.

Addie enjoyed meeting most of the dogs participating in the parade.

A big butterfly hug!

Flutterbye Pt.4- PARADE

And the big moment arrived- parading down Main Street!

A group of bagpipers led the parade, and off we went, waving at the crowd, and enjoying every moment of it.

Since little feet get tired quickly, we decided Addie should ride on Greg's shoulders. Plus- it really let her get the wind in those wings and flap them!

I'm just following along...

Passing the gazebo

I know her eyes are closed in this one, but she was having such a great time, and I thought this picture captured her happiness.

Flutterbye Pt.5- The Release!

Another highlight of the day was the chance to release a Monarch into the air. Each kid was given an envelope with a live butterfly in it, and in unison we opened them together and released hundreds of butterflies into the air

Here they are- ready? Set?

Go!

Out he flutters!

Addie LOVED it!

Can you tell?

Flutterbye Pt.6

After their release, there were Monarchs everywhere-

on the finger of the guy next to us...

and landing on this lady's hair.

I think she was a little embarrassed that everyone around her started taking her picture.

We also looked at some great displays of butterfly eggs and caterpillars, and butterflies from around the world, like these monarchs.

And this electric blue specimen. So cool!

We had such a wonderful morning and were so glad we got to go!

Random Fun

A few random pictures from the last few weeks of our lives.

We got to attend a Master's College Alumni event at the Dallas Botanical Gardens. It was a nice event, but a HOT day. We checked out their pumpkin village but didn't stay long. We look forward to checking out the botanical gardens more another day.

Here is Scotty enjoying our airplane rocker. Addie also played on this at the same age, but then we disassembled it. After our move it was time to put it together again! He loves it!

A few of our neighbors invited us to join them one afternoon to paint pumpkins. Addie had a great time.

Grapefest!

About a week after our arrival in Grapevine, Texas, one of the local annual festivals kicked off. Grapevine celebrates "Grapefest" each year, which celebrates the local wineries. Even though we don't like drinking wine (though I LOVE cooking with it!), we couldn't resist when we saw a big 'ol ferris wheel erected a few blocks from our new home. The adorable little main street was blocked off and filled with booths, and we couldn't resist.

Addie gives a thumbs up to the longhorn cattle

ice sculpture.

She also meets some locals.

There were many ways we knew we had arrived in the South. First, the humidity. Second, the hats and boots a few people were wearing, Third, the accents, and lastly, the presence of this Christian bookstore and coffee house (yes, you read that right). They had this sign, posted out front.

Hula Hoopin'

Addie tries out the hula hoop...

and nails it! Look at that hip action!

I wonder where she gets it from?

The Gazeebo

So in the middle of Main Street there is this cute gazeebo. And right at dinner time a little jazz quartet started playing, so we took a seat and enjoyed some gret music while eating our dinner. On Main Street. In Texas.

It was very quaint!

Another shot of the musicians

Right in the midst of dinner, the clouds rolled in dark and the wind picked up, and we thought we were going to get rained on, and then the little storm threat blew right over, just like it was never there.

Here is Addie, playing her trumpet along to the musis.

Scotty Liked It

Scotty enjoyed his first fried dinner- a corndog.

Then he took a barefoot stroll and enjoyed the breeze. This is what he does when he feels the wind in his face- he puts his hands up in the air like he expects to catch it.

Playing with his football and charming the crowd around him.

Just another cute shot.