Butterfly Extremism

 

Today we had a goal to have the ultimate butterfly experience at the zoo.  For those of you that know me all to well this adventure may, unfortunately, not surprise you at all.  Let me back up and give you the preface.  Last year I went with a friend and her kiddos to the butterfly exhibit at our zoo.  These butterflies were beautiful and it was fascinating to watch them fly around - then they started landing on us... even better!  I had no idea butterflies would actually land on people and neither did my kids.  My friend was wearing a light colored shirt that day and they were all over her.  To be honest, we couldn't get them off of her in the end.  The lady working there told us that the butterflies seem to be most attracted to light colors.  (Now they tell me) Both of my boys were in dark blue shirts and shorts.  Spencer was very disappointed by the end - he had one butterfly land on him for nearly 3 seconds and  then fly off.  He really wanted one to land on him so I could get a photo, but we left with disenchanted.   Later that week I had another friend tell me at the Fair they gave the kids Q-tips dipped in sugar water and the butterflies would land right on them as they walked around.  Putting two and two together I decided this year I would give my kids the ultimate butterfly experience and turn them into giant Q-tips!  YES... I actually had them dress in white shirts and light shorts - then I sprayed them down with sugar water!!  I knew the butterflies would be swarming towards my kiddos as we entered the pavilion.  Oh the excitement!  (Below) Just how I envisioned it would be... 

 Landon and Spencer covered in butterflies!  In case the workers were shocked I decided to tell them "I have the sweetest kids in the world!" I thought it might look suspicious and all....a 5 year old and 2 year old covered in butterflies.  Watch me get kicked out... nice try.  You want the bitter truth!?  It didn't work.... (the photo above only has one real butterfly) 

 Here is Spencer begging a butterfly to step onto his hand.  We stood there in the heat of the day, Cooper crying (hungry & teething), me carrying my purse, child and camera for an action shot, both boys standing incredibly still waiting for the moment a butterfly would swoop down and fasten itself to their shirt and mom would proudly capture the moment.  It was long, hot and tiring! 

 Fortunately we did have a few landings... these are the actual butterflies landing on Spencer.   

 On his side...

On his shoulder!  Luckily we captured a few proud moments before Cooper melted down and Landon begged to leave. (Basically I decided I need a new strategy.  No I am not giving up I'm just in the process of re-planning our next visit.  I am up for tried and true techniques! Now I'm a little obsessed with the idea...)