Today

Today is FINALLY the day when we could leave the house on a whim without winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots. Today is the day when I said, "want to go on an adventure?" And they followed me out the door and we went to the woods and explored God's great gift of nature. There was plenty of green among all the dead looking leaves, little sprouts here and there to show that spring has definitely arrived. And we even spotted a couple of turtles and countless frogs in the pond. When the kids were quiet we could hear them calling, the frogs were singing of spring too, I think. But we couldn't hear them for long, the kids started back up with shouting their discoveries, and Shelly with her songs of warm weather and sunshine.

First we consulted the maps, determined where we were and where we wanted to go (Archer was the leader but E made his opinion pretty clear too).

I happily took my place at the back of the pack and followed our leaders across the boardwalk (there were bees... they made the kids a bit nervous but we didn't have much choice, forge ahead!).

There were a few stops for "Mom take a picture of me here!"

Shelly is a blossoming photographer with her new film camera.

The first time we passed the pond we didn't see much, bu the second time around we slowed down. Watched the ripples in the water and carefully, slowly, we were able to spot frogs! E entertained himself with throwing sticks into the water.

And finally, a kind hiker paused to take a picture of us as we crossed paths, he on his way to the pond and river, us on our way home.

I love these times, spontaneous and not rushed by any schedule, just letting the kids decide which path to take next and when to go home. What a GREAT way to start our weekend!!