Butterfly Palace

Once again, Branson provided us another great, fun family day. I really do love that we are able to do some really neat things as a family while we live in the Branson area. Today we visited the Butterfly Palace, an interesting science center dedicated to exotic rainforest butterflies, and they have some exhibits with frogs, lizards, skinks, etc. thrown in. Mac and I would have been just fine seeing the butterflies and totally avoiding the poison dart frogs and GIANT rainforest roaches! haha I took lots of good pictures, so I will just let the pics do the talking now :)

We were able to see the "White Flight" exhibit just before it changes to something new.

Very pretty black and white butterflies

Well, not real sure about things at first, but he quickly warmed up to the idea.

Safari Sam and Drew heading out on a hunt

Mac got to ride a cute bumble bee scooter. This thing was a hit! And it kept him involved and interested so we could take our time and enjoy the butterflies. Very smart idea of the Palace.

Our family picture on the neat bench. (Mac and Drew started the day in matching outfits, but as it always happens, Drew had a little accident and had to be changed into his not cute "diaper bag clothes." Oh well...)

Seriously, Drew was enamored by all of the butterflies flying around everywhere. They would fly right up to you and definitely speed right past your face!

An angel statue...which was actually a live person!!!

Mac was unsure about the whole moving statue, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He rode backward on the scooter until he could no longer see her :)

Sam trying to be a statue.

Not really, he was trying to be really still so a butterfly would land on him. Naturally, one landed on my camera while I was holding it, but obviously I could not get a picture of it :(

In the frog, lizard, roach, etc. exhibit...Mac never quite warmed up to this room. The smile is only because Sam was making him laugh.

They had a fun mirror maze, and Mac loved it.

We walked feeling our way around so we wouldn't crash into a mirror. Once or twice Mac broke free from us and received a gentle reminder on his head that he best walk with his arms in front of him :)

It actually was a bit challenging. Can you see that there are 3 Mac's and Sam's in this pic??

You know you are in Branson when the exhibit includes a tribute to Elvis!

A bungee maze. Mac started out terrified, mostly due to the very loud bullfrog noises playing in the background.

By the time he reached the "magic pond," he was a fan.

Now bravely leading the way out to come tell me "I not scared, Mommy!"

I took Drew in too so we could all experience the adventure :)

We also watched a "Butterfly Moomie" on Monarchs which was actually interesting...I learned something new! We had a great day, and given the local discount ticket, you definitely cannot find a better way to spend your Friday the 13th :)