Thanksgiving point Gardens

I'm a little late adding this post, but thought I'd do it anyway, just so you have an idea what is out there.

On Monday, 14 April, my sister, Tari and I went to the Thanksgiving Point gardens, expecting to see them ablaze in colorful tulips and other spring flowers. Apparently they were a bit late this season or we were a bit early, but we had a nice day together.

Pic. 1 - inside the secret garden








Pic. 2 Door in the secret garden wall. I believe that on a better day or later in the season this vine at the side of the door is probably green and living.

















Pic. 3 Tari in Garden, (sorry there are almost no flowers open in there during our visit.)













Loni at the carousel. Again few flowers. I imagine it is very pretty when the flowers are in bloom, but not to dispair. It was a beautiful day. There were even quite a few people wandering around. I'd like to visit when the plants and flowers are growing. They probably are now, two weeks after our premature visit.





Pic. 5 One of the falls located in the country's largest manmade mountain garden. That was very impressive.

The water is recirculated from a large pond, or maybe I should call it a lake because of the size of it.

I think the gardens are worth attending. Doors open at ten in case you are wondering. Oh Yeah, there is a charge.

August Rush

I rented this on Saturday using a free Red Box promotion. :) Anyway, I'd heard good things about it, but couldn't remember what it was about. I was very pleased with it, and managed to not let any tears grace my cheeks (though Matt did ask once or twice if I was crying).

The story is about an 11 year old boy that is at a boy's home in New York. The other boys make fun of him for saying that he hears music (that no one else hears) and that he can hear his parents. The main premise of the show is about him trying to find his parents.

The actor that played the main character is Freddie Highmore (very cute kid that played Charlie in the Johnny Depp Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). He did a GREAT job. I recognized many of the other actors (which I find to be fun in a movie--makes me think hard about where I've seen them before, or I Google them to find out later). Robin Williams was in here too.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show, and I'd watch it again. I wouldn't have minded if the ending had gone a bit further though. Sometimes I don't like using my imagination.

Martian Child

When Dan had this from Blockbuster I thought it was going to be a really low-rate cheesy sci-fi flim. I was really surprised...pleasantly surprised. This was a really cute, feel good, clean movie. John Cusack plays a widower who adopts this little boy who thinks he's from Mars. The whole movie is about their relationship and trying to figure things out and fitting in, but being okay with who you are, and knowing that the dad won't leave the little boy. Anyway, if you're looking for a feel good family film, I'd recommend it.