Ten Great Reasons to Take Your Baby on a Nature Hike

1. If you wear her, you'll get an extra workout.

2. If she walks, you'll get to slow down.

3. Give her an opportunity to explore, and you'll appreciate all the different textures on the ground; soft grass, fuzzy moss, crunchy bark.

4. You'll also appreciate all the interesting snacks on the ground; pointy sticks, crumbly rocks, pinchable Roly Polies.

5. Benches? No, those are climbing structures and diving platforms.

6. Dirt. One can kick it, roll in it, eat it, dump the contents of your water bottle on it and make it into lovely mud... so many possibilities.

7. Where you see an ordinary Gray Squirrel, she'll see an amazing and exotic animal. That or she'll think it's the cat. Either way, it's worthy of The Bloodcurdling Scream of Glee.

8. While she's having this great sensory and educational experience, you're outside in a peaceful place. Consider that at this very moment you could be at a mouse-themed kiddie arcade, trading your money for tokens, greasy pizza, and a splitting headache. Take a deep breath and be thankful.

9. Unless you're wearing a particularly heavy kid up Mt. Washington, you can actually be kind of lazy. Sit for a while and let your kid poke sticks in a hole. Stroll leisurely while she toddles beside you. Feel her snuggle against you in the carrier while bluebirds go zipping by. The entertainment has been provided for you.

10. Love of nature. This is how it starts.

This post brought to you from our porch, where the baby is, again, digging in the dirt.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday, Dad. The picture on the blog is for you, Daddy. The picture is a tornado and I hope you enjoy your picture. Thank you for making tornadoes with me. Happy Birthday.

Love,
Betsy

Return to Manassas: All Signs Point to Yes

On the heels of our last adventure at Manassas National Battlefield Park, we decided to return, this time with the National Parks Passports, and with Matthew. If you have ever traveled with Matthew, you will know that he is very interested in reading the signs. All the signs.

And when a sign says "interpretive," he'll do a little interpretive dance, that's what.

Okay, this has nothing to do with signs. I just love the way Abigail has hooked her arm over his. It's one of those sweet little things that she does all the time now so we take it for granted. And yet someday she will be too big for the ring sling and this time will be long gone. I'm trying to capture more of those ordinary moments that we love so much.

Also, we really love signs. Wow! Look at all of that informative information! (Photo by Betsy)

Also, it rained a little.

But we did finally get Abigail's parks passport stamped, and with all four stamps available at this park. Who knew?

Snack Attack

Okay, so I left the plastic container of cereal within reach. And guess who figured out how to open it, and helped herself to a snack? She was so proud of herself, too.

This is pretty much what the floor looks like after she eats anyway, so I think she was increasing household efficiency by pouring the cereal directly on the floor.

Badger Badger Badger Badger

How can it be mid-August already? We are trying to pack as much fun as possible into these last days before school starts, which means I'm spending more time doing than blogging.

So I present to you this drawing I did on the new tablet, of some cool mushrooms near our parking lot. I think the tops look like slightly toasted marshmallows, just starting to crack.



I wonder if they would actually be good to eat? Maybe I should go to the library and get some books on mushrooms and take the kids on foraging trips around the neighborhood... or maybe that will have to wait until next summer.

That's probably a better idea.

A Fabulous Birthday

Today is my birthday, and I've had a great day.

First, I wore my new dress to church. My best friend Sarah gave it to me the other day and it fit perfectly right away, because she's an awesome costumer, that's what.

And then at church we had a surprise service in the new building with champagne brunch.

And then I got to hang out with my great family who made lunch AND dinner. I did not cook all day!

And then we had lime and coconut whoopie pies and presents, and then while we drove home the kids fell asleep in the car and they transferred into the house!















Oh, and my husband got me a tablet so I can draw pictures to put onto the computer.

All in all, a great day.

Experiencing History! Now in 3-D!

This morning's adventures included a trip to Mannassas National Battlefield Park with the Hochkeppel girls, to Get The Kids Out of the House and to Experience Some History. Also, I realized last night that while we have visited some national parks in Abigail's first year of life, I have neglected to stamp her National Parks Passport, and it has become very important to do this before her birthday next week.

So, here we are! Experiencing history! And lots of grass!

Betsy, Ella and Mimi recreate the historically accurate "standing around near a cannon, watching a herd of tourists, possibly while eating apples."

Gratuitously cute shot of my BFF and my kid.

There was only minor disappointment when my older child realized that the big horse was not real and therefore unavailable for riding around the battlefield.

History now includes 3-D glasses!

This reminds me of so many 1980s family vacation photos.

Ella and Betsy in their new bonnets from the gift shoppee. History on their heads!

Sarah and Becca enjoy themselves immensely. On the inside.

Also available at the gift shop.

Mimi completes her Junior Ranger exercises, and earns a patch! Or a badge!

And now I can proudly say that Abigail's passport is... untouched. Left home on the kitchen table. I guess we need to visit another park!