A Winter Walk

Yesterday we decided to get out of the house and take a walk - even though it was pretty cold. We walked to some woods close by and spent about and hour and a half just wandering around looking at everything. It was a nice walk and the kids always have fun when we take long walks - especially when a creek is involved. They explored a few new places and visited old spots they always love to see and it ended up being a really nice Sunday afternoon. 

After our walk we came home and the kids had snacks while I read The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright. It was a very pleasant end to our Sunday. Reading and snacks are always a favorite. 

The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas - Day 4

Today our special thing was to make a Christmas tree for the birds and squirrels. We did our usual pinecones but we read about another way to make goodies for the animals. We were looking at one of our books and it had an idea that the kids wanted to try. You take bread and cut out cookie cutter shapes and then put them in the oven for about 10 minutes to toast a little and then add peanut butter, birdseed, cranberries and anything else you want. So, we tired this and it was fun and easy. We made holes in the top of the ornaments and hung them by red twine. The kids think it is the best tree they have ever made and I'm pretty sure the birds and squirrels will love it.  

Nature Walk

The kids have been asking over and over this week to take a nature walk, but it has been so hot that I have not really wanted to go on one. Today was only 92 degrees compared to the usual 100 this week. So, we went. Bethany, Piper, Tess and Bella wanted to go and they all took their nature journals to write and draw in as we walked around. I decided on a place near the river that we had not previously visited, hoping it would not be crowded. It was great. We only passed about 5 people the entire time we walked and we were there several hours. 

This ended up being such a great place to walk and there were so many things they could do. They loved the creeks and all the muddy, marshy places. They were running and playing in the water and hoping to find a few frogs. They did not find any frogs but there was plenty of other stuff to watch and try to catch - butterflies, dragonflies, and tons of bugs and minnows.

They had so much fun that they didn't even stop to write in their journals. They usually at least like to draw what they have seen, but today was so much running and playing that they saved journal writing for later. It was a great place and they were already asking to go back before we left.

They told me it reminded them of the book Gone Away Lake that we read this spring - the bugs, butterflies and all the mud that they claimed sucked them in and would not let them move. Bethany actually lost her shoe in all the mud and went home without her shoes. At least they were only flip flops.

It was a great day and we will definitely go back. We left and got Happy Meals and ice cream on the way home which is Piper and Tess's favorite. They will always remember that I bought them Happy Meals in China almost every night and they absolutely loved it. They still love to get a Happy Meal and ice cream.