Do NOT Touch the Butterflies

The kids and I decided to take advantage of our yearly membership to the Boise Zoo the other day. This time, however, the zoo had a new exhibit: Butterflies in Bloom. We of course attended; and with that attendance, we were able to view hundreds of butterflies from Costa Rica.

Elle loved this exhibit. She sat still and viewed all of the butterflies as they flew around her head and hands. One even landed on her back, which completely made her day (we were not allowed to touch any of the butterflies, so having one willingly land on Elle was all she could ask for).

But sadly, I cannot say the experience was the same for Hudson as it was for Elle. Hudson did not at all understand the zoo keeper’s wishes to not touch the butterflies. He tried at every chance to touch/mangle the helpless insects. At one point he nearly missed one that was peacefully sitting on the ground (we got a very dirty look and a reprimand from another zoo attendee). And then as I tried to keep him under control—a very loosing battle—he sideswiped one of the innocent butterflies right before that disapproving zoo attendee’s eyes. Needless to say, we got yet another disapproving look. But couldn’t she see how hard I was trying to keep his hands under control? Hasn’t she ever tried to keep an almost two-year-old from not touching anything? Obviously not, or she would not have given me such cold looks.

After the second dirty look, we swiftly left the Butterflies in Bloom exhibit. Thankfully the rest of the zoo was not off limits for touching. Hudson was free to smudge his finger and handprints on everything he saw—just like he does at home.

All in all it was a great day at the zoo. The butterflies and animals made for an exciting day—even with the dirty looks. I mean it was just a little sideswipe; the butterfly could still fly. No big deal. Right?