A couple Saturdays ago we went on a family adventure to the Desert Botanical Garden. It’s been years since I last went there and I saw somewhere that they had a cool art exhibit going on and thought it might make for a fun weekend outing. I brought it up, David thought it sounded fun, we made plans…and then we followed through.
That seems like a foregone conclusion–that we decided to do something and then did it–but I’m quite proud of us for making it happen. And so glad we did. The desert at night is beautiful enough, but the added fiber optic art made it simply breathtaking.
It’s easy to get busy around the house and let the weekend slip away from us without doing anything fun. Plus, with a baby, a toddler, and a preschooler in tow, a 30 minute drive followed by a very long walk through the desert at about dinner time could have been a recipe for multiple melt-downs. I was a little bit terrified.
Fortunately it worked out well. In spite of the crazy crowds of snowbirds, we had a remarkably lovely time.
We learned that M does not care for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which is kind of hilarious, and that she wants to touch ALL THE THINGS, including cactus (NO) and fragile pottery (PLEASE CHILD NO), but otherwise she was great. Both girls thought everything was “be-yoo-tee-ful” and were perfectly content just to dance around the barrels of light. Baby boy slept in the stroller most of the evening. Score.
In fact, David and I enjoyed ourselves so much we are thinking about going back in a month or two for a date night. Just the two of us. It would be so romantic.
This little trip felt like a high-risk/high-reward situation: potentially
awesome, but also potentially frustrating and exhausting. But really…what was the worst thing that could’ve happened? The kids might cry, the baby might want to nurse all night, the world might end. And so what? Those things might also happen at home. They probably will happen at home. And home is far less magical than a stroll through the desert lit by glowing multi-colored fairy lights.
Point is–and I know I sound like a Nike ad here but whatevs–sometimes you have to just do it. Make the choice. Take the plunge. Pull the trigger. Whatever “it” is, it’s very likely worth it. For some reason I have to relearn this lesson frequently, but I’m always glad when I do.
Now that we’ve conquered one small family adventure, I’m confident we can make this a more regular thing. There are places to go and things to see. I’ll pack a bag with diapers and snacks, strap everyone into tennis shoes and car seats, and we can go explore. Good or bad, we’ll be making some memories. And I won’t be a bit surprised if we see something beautiful.
Good for you! I completely agree. It's always more fun to get out and do something new. Even if it's a lot of work. Your kids will remember the fun and not the work. 🙂
Honestly, your summer days series has been a big motivation for me to find places for us to go and things to do.
And you should definitely come visit. In winter. When it's beautiful and your skin doesn't melt off your flesh. Obvs.
By the way, that looks REALLY cool! Maybe someday I'll make it to Arizona! I've never been there, amazingly enough!
Do you read Memories on Clover Lane? (If not–she is GREAT!) She mentioned awhile back something that has really stuck with me because it is so true: with young kids, you just have to make sure they are fed and well-rested. And then you can pretty much do anything. Enter your bag packed with diapers and snacks. 🙂
No, I'll have to check her out. That "fed and well-rested" thing applies to me too…does that make me a toddler? 😉
By the way, lady, change your about me part to say you're mother of three. You've darned well earned it. 😉
This has been on my list since the moment I heard about it (pre-move). I cannot wait to check it out!!!!
xox
I'm excited to hear what you think! Hope you'll post some better photos. I was a little disappointed in how blurry mine turned out. Oh well.
What a gorgeous display! It looks like so much fun!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Good for you! Sometimes getting out is hard but it's always worth it! This place looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
I adore the botanical garden! Tyler proposed to me there during the Chihuly exhibit – they do the coolest art installations. I hope to take your advice and learn to pull that trigger to just do it when we switch to three hoodlums here in a few weeks!!
Take your time, girl, but when the time comes that you're ready to adventure again, I'm sure you'll handle all three babies marvelously!
Oh my gosh, I know exactly what you're talking about! Knowing, or at least figuring, that something is going to be a nightmare but really wanting to go and who knows, maybe it won't be so bad…
Haha!
It all looks beautiful though!
The struggle is so real. Ha! It really was beautiful, and I'm so glad we went.
I'm pretty brave about what I think Scott and I can handle when we're together (sometimes too brave) but when it's just me and the boys, I'm practically a hermit. Even grocery shopping, or maybe especially grocery shopping feels like more than I can handle by myself!
Heyyyy we live in Arizona too! I've been seeing commercials for this and I have to say I've always wanted to go. Your pictures tempt me even more!
Aw, I love this. I often times make up a ton of excuses to just stay home, but we end up kind of miserable staying inside for too long. It's always worth it to "risk" it!
We went to the garden last month for the first time and I had no idea about the cool light exhibit! We used our "buy one get one free" coupon, and now I'm not sure when we'll go back. Does it end in March? I may just have to take a special trip alone to enjoy the lights, haha. Sooo cool!
Yes! You are awesome. I'll have to put this activity on our future to-do list.