Volunteer Park Conservatory

Summer seemed to slip through our fingers this year, because before we knew it it was over. It had been awhile since we last visited the Volunteer Park Conservatory and this time Jasper did a whole lot more than walk around with his hands behind his back. It never ceases to amaze me how a little boy's mind works. Jasper found every wheel to turn and button to push during our brief visit to the conservatory. I was there for the flowers, but he was there to keep me on my toes. After our trip to the conservatory Jasper loves to play at the adjacent park and we both enjoy lunch at the Volunteer Park Cafe afterwards. You really can never go wrong with crisp autumn air, sunshine, flowers and my favorite little sidekick. 

Whenever I visit I always think about how lovely it would be to have such a fantastic collection of plants. I find the Conservatory to be a peaceful and relaxing space even when I am accompanied by a toddler who wants to touch every plant and play in every water feature. 

At the playground we encountered an "aggressive hugger". All that little boy wanted to do was hug Jasper and this both frustrated and terrified Jasper. It was both funny and sad to see how upset Jasper was getting by this little guy trying to hug him. Although after some reflection, I quickly realized just how much I would not appreciate being hugged repeatedly by a stranger either. Poor guy!