A Backpacking Trip with Dad

Grace started school yesterday!  Of course, I'll soon share pictures of both the children's first days (Harris isn't until Friday!) but first I want to share how Grace ended her summer.

She and her Dad went on a backpacking trip- her first one ever!  She was so excited prior to leaving and in fact it was like Christmas had arrived in August.  I believe her excitement was a mixture of adventuring, doing something so "grown up" and, most importantly, spending one on one time with her Dad.

Her pack was heavy!  I can't believe that she climbed and hiked so far with this pack on her back (10 miles).

The night before she left I stitched this patch on her pack as a surprise.  One of her idols/heroes is John Muir so I thought it would be special to commemorate her first backpacking trip with a special patch.

By all accounts these two had a great time together and had a few funny stories to tell (Grace fell off of a bridge and a bear fell out of a tree close to them!).  But what I'm absolutely sure will stay with Grace is the time that she spent with her Dad out in the woods!

A Swimming Hole + Happy Labor Day

I can't quite wrap my head around the fact that today is the unofficial last day of summer, it's just gone by too fast!  I thought today that I would share pictures from a perfect summer afternoon we recently had.  A new friend introduced me to a local swimming hole and I, in turn, introduced another friend. This place exactly represents what I think summer is all about- nature, time to explore, friends, laughs and water!

about 30 seconds after I took this picture, Harris put this frog down the back of my shirt!

Assateague National Seashore- Airstream Adventure #3

We just got back from a quick trip to Assateague Island National Seashore.  We had a truly lovely time for the first 24 hours and then the flies showed up and pretty much drove us into the camper.  They were like a cartoon in that you could literally see black swarms following you around.  There might have even been a time when Bryce came into the Airstream and said the words, "I might be about to have a meltdown."  Ha!  We will focus on the first 24 hours because after that I was scared to leave the Airstream...

We had a perfect and beautiful campsite for our two nights there.  I mean, look at our view!  There was even a little path leading to a small beach area.

We saw the wild ponies up and down the beach and a few in our campsite area.  We would be swimming in the ocean and look over to find that the horses were swimming with us!

 Of course, we had to read the classic story about Assateague Island, Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.

A Nature Study

Several weeks ago, when the children and I made a bird bag treat, Grace's interest in our backyard birds was piqued. One day I found her in the yard observing our nesting Robin. I love it when the children spontaneously pick up these activities. I try to encourage just such things by having books, pads, and even binoculars at the ready.

The nest that is on our fence.

A goodie bag for the birds

Yesterday, we discovered a nest that is being built by a very busy Robin. This discovery spurred us to make a bird bag full of goodies that the birds can use to make their nests. We used a produce bag and filled it full of ribbon (how's that for recycling?), yarn, straw, hair from brushes and scraps of cotton fabric. I'm hoping that we will spot some of the goodies in nests around our house. Wouldn't the bright pops of color make for a festive nest?

No Roses for Harry by Gene Zion is a great book to read in conjunction with this activity. It's all about the yarn from a sweater being used to make a nest! My children really enjoy this book and Harry the dog!

P.S. I wanted to make sure all that we put in the bag was safe for the birds and from what I have read the ribbon is fine, as long as it is not metallic.

Arbor Day

Friday was Arbor day and we celebrated by planting a tree!  We picked out a dogwood tree because it reminds us of Atlanta.  

Our new tree!

We also read a really neat book about trees, Crinkleroot's guide to Knowing the Trees.  Marilyn brought the book to us on her last visit.  I believe she got it at a church or yard sale.  It seems to be out of print but can be found used and at libraries.  Indeed, our "new" copy is an old library copy.  It's a great introduction to different trees, vocabulary that is pertinent to trees, and why trees are important to us.  Plus, I also like exposing the children to more non-fiction.