Chihuly Exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum is simply stunning, and its currently made even more breathtaking with the wonderful Chihuly sculptures on display.

When I first heard about this exhibit, I knew I needed to find time to make it up to Dallas to see them.

This past weekend we had a chance to combine it with Carl's much delayed Christmas present (an 8 minute drive at the Texas Motor Speedway).

We also combined it with a visit to see my cousin Julie and Mark's newest baby, Caroline Grace. She was born in May right before we left for England, and then we hit swim team season when weekend travels are difficult.  Caroline was just a little angel! So cute, and I never even heard her cry.

Pretty impressive for a little 2.5 month old!

Ryan loves her older brother, Graham. Ryan's been calling him "Graham Cracker" ever since we spent his first Thanksgiving together, so he was thrilled to see him again.

Plus, Ryan likes smaller kids. He wants to be a big brother sooooo bad.

Here he is waiting for Graham to show up. He liked this sculpture, because it was blue and reminded him of a peacock.

This was Alex's favorite sculpture, since it was red. The boy likes his red.

There were so many wonderful sculptures, and they were placed so beautifully inside the gardens.

Team Danger wasn't quite sure what to make of the sculptures.

But they enjoyed watching this lizard enjoy the art.

And they liked when the misters came on and made fog.

I suspect this is how they water the plants while the glass sculptures are there. Not the most waterwise way to go. But it WAS cool to see. ;)

 

In typical little boy fashion, they had lots of fun just running around.

And finding ways to cool off.

First Alex dunked his head in one of the fountains, followed quickly by Ryan.

And Graham had to get into the action, too, with a little help from Daddy.

This was my favorite part of the exhibit. I just loved these boats, the glass orbs, and the way they reflect into the water.

And my boys? They hung out by this sculpture in the Woman's Garden, because, as they both joyfully told me, they liked the fact that you could see her "boobies."  I'm so proud.

It was around this point that we bailed on any more sculptures and headed for the water fountains.

We hadn't brought bathing suits, but since when does that stop my kids? I should just be happy they kept their shorts on.

They were hot, hot, hot, so I didn't complain too much when they went to town getting wet and letting the water splish and splash everywhere.

And this would be why Ryan developed an outer ear infection, aka "swimmer's ear," a short while later.

The botanical gardens also has a display featuring mini-houses and mini-gardens of famous artisits, like Picasso, O'Keefe, Van Gogh, and Monet.

Since Carl and I had just been to Monet's house in Giverny, we were intrigued to see they could get something so basic as the color of his house wrong. Its pink, with green trim.

At least the bridge looked something like it was supposed to.

And they didn't miss the lily ponds. :)

Despite the heat and despite Ryan's ear infection, we had a great time at the Arboretum. I loved seeing my family, and I loved seeing the sculptures and gardens. Its definitely worth the trip!