Not gonna lie.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens were not the most exciting place in the world. There weren’t even concessions. And you know me and single serving food.
During our trip to Fort Worth, we made a list of things we definitely wanted to do and the Water Gardens seemed amazing….mostly because it was FREE.
We found a couple nearby parking spots and broke out the stroller to walk around. Note to anyone wanting to visit – it is really not a stroller kinda place – they have lots of steps and if you want to see things close up, you will be hulking that bad boy in the air like every forty paces. We went on an overcast (slightly spitting rain) Tuesday and it was still beaming with tourists so apparently it’s always kinda busy.
Also not gonna lie – I am terrified of heights and have nightmares of my boys falling off stuff. Basically every day. Basically I need to live in the flattest place on earth and in a ranch with no furniture and the opportunity to break necks will be null and void.
Also my kids can’t swim yet in a terrifying surprise situation. So this place – a tiered watering hole of concrete and pools with tiny little two person platforms was the place of my worst dreams. Imagine my armpits and the profuse sweat.
Also notice my arm wrapped around all the kids….not out of motherly affection…that’s pure fear.
Will of course wanted to bend over and catch the bubbles which YAY…opportunity for falling!
Can you see my stress level rising even from writing this post because IT IS. I’m on the edge of everything right now.
So you have to walk down these little raised concrete steps….where no more than three people can stand together anyway and then you get to the bottom onto these little raised concrete platforms which surrounds this pit of deeper bubbly water. Of course I am that mom that is not only freaking out about my own children but also nervous for every other child present. I MEAN GRIP THEIR HAND OR FOOT OR HOODIE OR SOMETHING!
Obviously a trip to the Grand Canyon in not in our immediate future.
And if that weren’t enough…then they have a concrete tiered mountain….also known as “attractive playground to climbing preschoolers but don’t fall because you could literally die”.
I’m pretty certain that I yelled “stay with me!” and “be careful!” about three million times at maximum volume.
Weston wanted to jump down off each ‘step’ and I was like umNO. Life is unfair kid. Especially when we don’t know where the nearest hospital is.
Thank goodness Gramps and Grammy were there because they held Max and pushed him in the stroller while I chased the kiddos around screaming warnings at them.
The place wasn’t all death and doom though….I liked the quiet water pool.
It was surrounded by these trees that had root systems that were growing out of the small provided areas. It was very funny looking.
And there was a small shallow little ‘moat’ that surrounded the walls.
And then a few times there were these little ‘waterfalls’ that fed the moat. The kids loved that part.
Will kept asking why there was a man in the pool. We watched as he put his blanket on the ground, roll up his pants and get in to pick up the coins. I kept telling Will that I believe he was collecting the money….to which Will asked why can’t we do that. It was one of those moments where I didn’t know what to say. Later on, the man came up to us and Will asked him directly. The guy simply said “I don’t throw away money. I have a bank account and I save it.” I seriously wanted to give the dude a high five because we have been trying to teach Will that concept of collecting and saving. I don’t know if the man was homeless or just simply a wanderer or what but it struck me….we live in a consumer culture where we are willing to ‘buy’ wishes with coins but not give that same money to people in need. It just is a reminder that I personally need to do better to teach my children to serve others.
The last set of pools had this spraying misting jets and made the entire area slightly ‘spritzy’. I felt like I had someone spraying my face with a rejuvenation spray.
Will asked for a picture with me. Which of course, my heart exploded.
He has turned six this week and I am just so darn fond of this kid. He really is such a good boy….and he still likes to hold my hand and sit in my lap and snuggle me in bed and wants me to play Legos with him and teach him tricks and jokes and how to do things like walk like a chicken. It’s just the best age. I say that about all the ages but seriously – six is a fun one with Will 🙂
Had to squeeze one in of Maxi Knight….he was there too 🙂 And of course, tongues out!
Overall – it was a fun visit and I am glad we had so many adults to hold these little hands 🙂 It was definitely worth a little trip to see and mark off our Fort Worth Bucket List. I have one more stop on our Texas adventure but if you would like to catch up on the rest of the posts – here you go:
- Ft Worth Stockyards
- A Wedding and Down Town (updated to show the beautiful couple!)
- The Hotel Pool
Very funny. A couple years ago we were in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado, Springs. My boys wanted to explore and, because they are older, I let them. Wellll, from about 300 yards away, I saw them tossing their 8-year-old brother over a crack that he was apparently to small to leap over. Have you been there? I am not afraid of heights and love scrambling but, honestly, two teenage boys and a twelve-year-old almost killed their mother by stroke that day. Byw, everyone was fine. I even climbed the next day but I did a lot of praying for nearly an hour.
You are a brave mama!! I’ve seen your stroller in a few posts now…what kind is it? We are in the market for a double. You may have blogged about it before, but I couldn’t find it!
That place does not look little-kid friendly at all! But with 4 adults and 4 kids, you had a 1:1 ratio going on, so I don’t really understand all the spazzing.
Hahaha, I’m from Ft. Worth and I hate the water gardens! Totally scary- not just the mountains, slippery steps and swirling water, but also that slightly unnerving feeling of being in a secluded, walled-in hole in a downtown area- WHAT were they THINKING??
Wow. I wonder how many accidents they have there each year. This looks dangerous!!!! I would have been yelling the whole time, too.
So I was multitasking and reading and kept thinking where the heck are the flowers at?
I love that you were freaking out but still did it. I would have taken one look and said “oh Heck No”.
Your family is beautiful.
Carousel is a lie!
Not sure if you know b/c the movie is a bit obscure, but the fountains feature in key scenes of the movie Logan’s Run.
This looks equal parts thrilling and terrifying! We have a botanical garden here in Austin that I love to go to, but my toddler loves to RUN full speed ahead of me on all of the rock pathways that are precariously placed next to a giant hill (that leads down to the freeway). It scares the heck out of me, so I’m always on edge the whole time we’re there!
Haha…you don’t know how rambunctious my kids can be then 🙂
xo – kb
It’s the Sit N Stand…I like it but honestly I am a stroller junkie….there is always a new stroller that I like better 🙂
xo – kb
No way! That’s crazy!
xo – kb
I totally feel your mom pain on the Water Gardens. I was there a handful of years ago when our youngest was about two. I was absolutely terrified wandering around down there with him. The Quiet Water Pool was much more my style.
Fort Worth is such a cool town and I loved being there with our son. My hubby was tied up in conference activities so we got to explore all over. I definitely want to go back with the rest of our kiddos and experience it all again.
I remember going to this place as a kid when we visited my Uncle in Texas. I laughed at your Grand Canyon joke, as we just got back from there. I have a 5 and 3 year old, and we were holding onto them for dear life constantly.
http://emilylundie.blogspot.com/2016/03/mini-vacation-grand-canyon-part-2.html
My conversations with my 5 year old daughter went like this.
Me – Madeleine, stay on the path, don’t go near the edge. You could fall.
Madeleine – It’s okay Mommy, if I fall I’ll just hold on.
Me – No, if you fall you’ll die.
Madeleine – No, I’ll just hang on to the rocks.
Me – No, you will die!! Get back here now!!!!!
Yeah I am stressed just by YOU at the Grand Canyon…I would seriously have a heart attack!!!
xo kb
Love your outfit! I need it all!
It looks beautiful, but I would have been super nervous! Who thinks to mix so much hard stone with slipper water?!
http://danielleandco.com/blog/2016/4/10/design-around-vintage-pink-tile
OMG–this post had me laughing out loud but my stomach was in knots just looking at the pictures! My boys are 9 and 13 and I wouldn’t want to be there with them even at that age. And I’m right there with you about the Grand Canyon–NEVER happening!!
Super scary. Found this link to a 2004 news. 3 kids and a Dad drowned. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5232929/#.Vw2tr9T3arU
Yup– that looks totally terrifying!! I am surprised you braved some of the photos you took, I would be just as terrified as you were!
Wow, water, slippery steps, and rambunctious kiddos, scary combination!
Slightly off topic, where are your shoes from? Super cute and they look like they might be comfortable as well!
They are super comfortable! I got them at DSW last fall and I wore them at least three times a week!
xo – kb