One of my favorite things about summer is the time I am able to spend with my kids exploring nature and all of creation. A favorite spot of ours is a local nature preserve with beautiful trails, a lovely lake, and an awesome lily pad-covered pond with hundreds of frogs just waiting to be caught and studied. A place that requires nets and boots for sure.
Last Wednesday my friend Amy and I ventured out with 9 of our kiddos to enjoy a day of adventure. And, an adventure it was!
No, this is not a day care….they all belong to us.
Frogs galore!
A great find…a young snapping turtle.
Young boys on a mission.
Sam is determined.
Aaron's all-time favorite water find...everytime.
Gives new meaning to the words, "Watch where you are stepping!"
And, of course, not a day in the outdoors is complete without wildflowers for mom.
Being raised the daughter of a Wildlife Conservation Officer and a Master Gardener, I was taught to both respect and admire nature and all of creation. I feel so priviledged to be able to share that with my children. Recently, we had gone to a nearby park, which is surrounded by a lovely little stream, to spend the afternoon exploring, looking to see what could be found under the rocks, and catching crayfish. As the kids were enjoying all the great finds of the water, a local school brought a bus load of elementary aged kids to the park. They processed single filed through the park and were led to the edge of the stream where they each laid out a towel to sit on. From there they were able to look at the stream. Oh, did my heart ache for them. They were not allowed to get within 5 feet of the water…only sit on their towel and look. What kind of memory will that be for those kids? Not one they will likely be fond of. How blessed I am to have been raised differently…spending hours and hours everyday outside in creeks, woods, meadows, and on a neighboring dairy farm. I am so grateful to my parents for providing that childhood for me, and I want to provide that for my children as well, so they, too, will have fond memories of God’s awesome Creation.
Looks like a beautiful day! How sad for all those ps kids to be able to look but not touch! I think I would have cried!Kids have GOT to touch!
Posted by: Theresa | August 21, 2006 at 08:46 AM
Great photos Donna! It sounds like a wonderful day was had by all!
Posted by: Rebecca B. | August 21, 2006 at 05:22 PM
Love the pictures! That turtle is really cute now but I wouldn't want to meet him when he gets a little bigger. ;)
Posted by: Krisann | August 21, 2006 at 11:05 PM
Thanks, ladies, for your comments. I am so glad to be blogging again :-)
Posted by: Donna | August 22, 2006 at 07:06 AM
Looks like a fabulous day. I feel so sad for the school kids--not allowed to get wet and muddy before going back to school.
Posted by: Faerie Rebecca | August 23, 2006 at 03:31 PM