ladybug release at the crystal bridge

** yeah there are a LOT of photos in this post!!!**

we went to the crystal bridge/myriad gardens yesterday. i have never taken the kids there. they were doing a ladybug release in the crystal bridge. they do it every year to help with the insects. my mother, sister-in-law & two nephews went with us. it cost $6 for adults & $4 for children 4-12. i printed of a $1 off coupon for everyone.

it started at 9:30 a.m., but we got there to get in line at 9 a.m. ladybugs were only being handed out as long as supplies lasted. i wanted to make sure my kids & nephews would get some ladybugs. i'm glad we got there early because there were a lot of schools/daycares that came arrived and it got pretty crowded. we finished just in time.

as soon as you get inside they give you a little plastic cup with about 20-30 ladybugs in it. we were told to not release them on the sidewalk or the water. my son decided he wanted to release his ladybugs on the top level. we walked through the crystal bridge (it's so pretty - they even have a coconut tree in there!) and up, up, up the steps until my son found the perfect spot to release his ladybugs.

my son was a little skittish at first, he's not a huge insect fan. however, he was very concerned when they fell on the sidewalk (because he's my "rules" boy and they said, "do not release them on the sidewalk!). we had to make sure they were all picked up and put back onto the plant. i think about half of his were "asleep".

my daughter found a beautiful red flower to release her ladybugs onto. she didn't mind the ladybugs on her as long as they weren't climbing up her arm. she didn't like that for some reason.

after we released our ladybugs, we went back to the entrance where they had a craft table set up. you could color pictures of ladybugs, make a ladybug with a paper plate or do a rubbing of insects.

we walked around the myriad gardens. my sister-in-law had some chex cereal she let the kids feed the ducks & goldfish - which were HUGE! the myriad gardens are really beautiful! we saw a really cute little turtle. after the kids took a picture of it, my mom touched it and we realized it was dead. i didn't tell the kids that.

after we were finished with the myriad gardens, we took the kids to the bass pro shop to see the huge fish tank they have. we also wanted to ride the trolley - kids ride free and the adults are only .25 cents (can't beat that!). the trolley ride goes through downtown and is about 30 minutes long. i told the kids this is the closest they'll be getting to a school bus.

we had a great time. although it was misty in the morning, around lunch time it had cleared up and was beautiful.