It was finally time to go to the Tulip Festival! We went to Cubby’s with Mom, Dad, and KP for lunch. I even took Mirah out of school early so that she could come with us. We were supposed to go on Saturday, but the kids were not into it, and the weather was terrible.

KP went back to work, and Dad had no interest, so mom, me and the kids headed out to the Ashton Gardens.

It was PERFECT weather, and although Lucas was being a PILL we were having a great time.

My favorite.

So So SO many tulips. It was so bright and cheerful!

There was a new element to this years festival, searching for “klompen” or Dutch shoes.

Did I meantion, we were exited to be back again this year? Google knew:

This year for the first time with mom.

 

We found our first couple Klopen no problem:

But there were just so many beautiful flowers it was easy to loose our focus.

 

 

 

Another Klopen!

Not just tulips!

Another Klopen! nd another one!

We took a break, and fed the fish.

Taking time to share our fish food with new friends.

 

Then, time to enjoy the Monet Gardens

There were actvities set up on a lawn, and the kids took time to jump, paint, and play.

 

Leaving the art area was difficult for Lucas…Klompen!

By the time we got to the Italian Gardens, and this amazing fountain, both the kids were grumpy, tired and hungry. (Somehow)

KLOMPEN!

We were making our way towards the exit.  Finding ourselves here.

There were food trucks and vendors all around the waterfall ampatheater. After a little begging, I relented and got each of the kids one. This was not just any cotton candy, this was a place that made SHAPED and FLAVORED cotton candy. When we got there, another family had just purchased this tulip.

Lucas was frantically hungry, and so he got his first. A Blue Raspberry and Tigers blood flavored Octopus!

His excitment was contagious and very apparent as his treat was handed to him:

I love the smile on the owener’s face. He was just so excited about it octopus.

Now time for Mirah’s Watermelon and Cherry Limeade Unicorn!

Mirah was STOKED about her cotton candy, and it was sure eye catching.

We sat at the top of the hill, and ate our cotton candy. Lucas had waited to sit down to start eating, so cutely.

I CAN NOT stop looking at this kid. He so SO freaking cute, and watching him eat cotton candy was CRACKING me up.

Mirah was much cleaner about it all.

Too. Much. Sugar.

On our way out, we saw this fascinating butterfly hatchery.

One more smell of delicious tulips.