I had this brilliant idea today. I was going to take J and Apple to the tropical greenhouse at the Experimental Farm here in Ottawa. I was under the assumption (not sure why) that it was quite large and had butterflies. After driving in circles, including driving by it once, we arrived.
J was excited and Apple had awoken from her nap already. We started on our tour.
Then the magic words came out of my mouth. “J, don’t touch.” At least ten times. He wanted to touch a cactus.
And guess what.
He touched it.
One that didn’t look prickly, but had those invisible little hairs that get stuck and hurt forever. And me without bandaids today (because J used them all up). We had to turn around and go home. It would seem though, that we actually saw all of the greenhouse. It was rather small and there were no butterflies. The good news is that we were alone with my screaming son and it didn’t cost us anything more than the gas in the truck.
And on the way home, J sobbing in the backseat says, “Mommy, I wish we had never gone to that horrible place”. To which I replied, “And I wish J that you had listened to me when I told you not to touch the cactus.” Hopefully next time he will listen to me.
Now to figure out where on earth those butterflies are.
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Oh no. Poor J! But I bet he learned something, huh? 😉
My comments about the greenhouse (because I’ve been there):
1) Yes, it’s small. Very small. We love it, BUT we also combine it with a big romp around the arboretum (sp?) you know, the non-animal part of the farm.
2) The butterfly place runs out of Carleton U., but I’m not sure if it’s still accessible to the public.
Yes Carleton is the butterfly place.
Poor guy, those sneaky cactus will get us every time. Honestly when I see one I am just drawn to it to. And I am way old enough to know better!
Crummy! Sometimes the best lessons cause the most pain! I bet he will listen to you next time you tell him not to touch.
Well maybe, he is a boy afterall 😉
Well, I guess poor J will know for next time (about the cactus, maybe not about listening to mommy, I think that takes a lifetime!)
I always wondered what was at the Experimental farm every time I’m in Ottawa! Will have to check it out!
Poor J. I guess he will know for next time 🙂
Heidi