We had an appointment with the endocrinologist in St. Louis this week. We are normally seen at St. Louis Children’s, but there is major road construction at the exit and our endocrinologist is seeing patients at Barnes West one day a week.
Our appointment wasn’t until 2:00 pm, but we left before even eating breakfast this morning to get there as soon as we could. We like to add a little fun to the trips. Our daughter views them as mini vacations.
But what should we see and do?
I lived in Columbia and Jefferson City for several years while in grad school and while holding my first real job in my field. Trip after trip back and forth to C-U, I saw signs for the Butterfly House. I always wanted to check it out, but never got a chance.
Until today.
To our delight, they had released 1,500 blue morpho butterflies* just before we arrived. I have never seen so many butterflies in one place at one time. It was incredible and awe inspiring.
The Butterfly House is situated in Faust Park, which also includes a carousel. We took a few whirls around. My daughter loves a good carousel.
There wasn’t enough time to play, but the park had a fabulous playground.
We scheduled our next two appointments at Barnes West, so I think we’ll have a chance to visit again and hopefully linger a little longer.
I am so thankful that I finally got to see my butterflies.
newly released blue morpho butterfly
another butterfly (not sure of the species)
a crazy insect
hissing roaches (yuck!)
"The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf (and one blogger), and after that he felt much better."**
my daughter's drawing of the morpho butterfly
When I asked her at lunch what her favorite part of the day so far was, she said it was the butterflies. When I asked her again at dinner, she said it was “mommy and daddy.”
*We knew all about blue morpho butterflies from watching Go Diego, Go!
**Can you believe the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is later this month?
