C$ the 16 year old driving Birthday Dude


Okay it’s official. My baby boy is now 16! What happened??

When did he go from this

To this?

and then this?

Yep that’s C$ with his drivers license! Yee haw and boo hoo – yep both at the same time.

It’s that Mom thing, that makes me feel both.

It makes me cry a little and smile a whole big bunch.

Smile for the camera C$!

Ohhhh yeah! Insert fist pump here.

Pulling up and permit free. His first parent free drive home. Insert tears forming here.

C$ flashing his wide happy 16 year old grin. It’s celebration time!

~OR~ time to insert bittersweet happy love tears here. BIG joyous weeping alligator tears.

See?? This is why I need to take a moment. Sniffle sniffle. Somebody please hand me a tissue. Okay a shirt sleeve will do.
Okay all better.

Now it hits me. A big smile. Here’s what has been happening and NOT what happened.  A milestone is etched. A birth day that began 16 years ago is now unfolding. And I get to go along for the ride – a Chance worth taking.

What a wonderful and beautiful 16 year journey this has been.

Watching a boy

become such a fine young man.

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Stolen Moments at Mercer Botanic Gardens


Lacrosse, Lacrosse, and Lacrosse. Plus Botanical Gardens. Just the way I like it.

It was a long and fun weekend of Lacrosse and hanging out with Blue, C$ and his buddy in Houston. It was a full weekend of Lacrosse and Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens just happened to be on our way out of town and in the direction of the last game.  I was sooo sad that we had to go to the botanical gardens. Whaaa. Of course if you know anything about me you know I am completely being a jokester.

This is my second trip to the east side of the gardens, but the first time visiting in spring with my new camera. If you’ve been to Mercer you know it’s  HUGE, and I have yet to discover the west side off the gardens. Last November ‘09, the west side was closed from the rains that caused damage and flooding. The heavy rains flooded Cypress creek which runs along the property. Parts of the east side were also not accessible – parts of the  prehistoric gardens to the primitive loop were closed off. So this visit was a real treat! The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the plants were in bloom. What more could a girl ask for. Okay…one thing. More time to see this treasure. Here, you will get a glimpse of what I encountered – from flying friends, to water falls. But BEWARE! there are some wily creatures lurking in these pictures, they carry big sticks and are very ape like.
Lacrosse, Lacrosse, and Lacrosse. Plus Botanical Gardens. Just the way I like it.

These are truly the stolen moments I look forward to having. Future explorations are definitely in order, and will include a more leisurely look at the east side of the gardens. Until then we will steal away a few moments at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens.

Join me for a quick walk around the gardens.  We are going to take a peek into a few parts of the east side of the gardens… ready?

I was greeted by these beautiful snapdragons

Look at that very small greenhouse that lies beyond the snapdragons.

A very cool water fountain.

This plant is called “shady lady” Illicium floridanum

This flower is a Camellia – just gorgeous!

There is a prehistoric area that is filled with unique plants and trees like this Japanese maple.

The Whos lives here. Horton is around here somewhere.

Other creatures also like to hang out here. Like these big ape like creatures.

See.  Wily creatures indeed. But really they are just handsome dudes. Gooo Dawgz!!!

Let’s head out of the prehistoric area before the rain comes. Looks like we are too late.

Rain drops are falling on my head

Stop. Let’s check out this cool water fall. And snap a few photos.

Once again the dudes “representing”

and posing.

Mi familia. Ahhh. Once again handsome dudes by my side.

I used this sun dial to tell me time. I have only stolen moments and must move along to the rock garden.

A “bee”utiful encounter

That’s my bee friend. “Hello bizzy” and here’s my other friend

coming in for the landing.

“Hello beezy”

“Hi Robyn. I’m beezy getting my nectar on.”

“Bye beezy.”

Cherry sage  aka “Hot Lips”  Salvia x jamensis

May Breeze Phlox divaricata

Geraniums are a striking complement in the rock garden.

The finale: a flowering decorative peach tree awaits.

The end of the trail for us, no time to frolic and sit under the boughs. Sigh.

But still sweet stolen moments.

I hope you enjoyed these moments as much as I did.

Zesty love,
Robyn

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