This past weekend was our weekend with the granddaughters and thanks to spring break at their schools, they were able to stay several more days. I love it when school holidays fall near our time with them! A couple of them were spending time with our daughter while 3 of them were with me. A visit to the Forest Preserve was just what the day seemed to call for- a chance to spend some quality time together and share in nature's delights.
Children of all ages seem to be drawn to the water. It must have a magical quality!
I can't quite find the right words to describe what I felt when I saw the shoes come off and the toes dabbling in the water. But it has to do with the idea that it's a time honored tradition that all kids seem to do. By the way, they were very surprised at how cold the water was!
After drying their toes, a walk on one of the many trails seemed in order. If you enlarge, you can see they all have walking sticks. Even Grandma had to have one which made picture taking a little awkward.
The forest is still very bare here. No wild flowers-not even a sign of them starting to grow yet. And because of the winds we didn't get to see or even hear any birds. Were we disappointed? Well, I was a little as I had hoped for more picture opportunities, but not the girls. They loved every minute of our adventure as evidenced by the smiles on their faces!
The forest is still very bare here. No wild flowers-not even a sign of them starting to grow yet. And because of the winds we didn't get to see or even hear any birds. Were we disappointed? Well, I was a little as I had hoped for more picture opportunities, but not the girls. They loved every minute of our adventure as evidenced by the smiles on their faces! I hope you are getting to enjoy some glorious spring weather in or out of your gardens.
29 comments:
70 degrees sounds perfect Beckie. but without wind, please! We've been getting all too much of that lately. I agree that water has some kind of magical draw for kids (of all ages!) I'm trying to install a little pond in my front garden bed and everyone keeps telling me to put a warning sign up ~ they are worried the neighbor kids will get in and now I'm worried too. It seems irresistable, doesn't it? I'm glad you had another nice (and longer) visit with your grandkids.
Beckie a magical time when spent with grandchildren!I'm enjoying mine here in AZ too! We are blessed!
Hi Beckie.....how perfect.....what a wonderful time you had.....
children are most certainly drawn to water and as you say it has a magical quality.....
I would love to have been on that walk...especially with children, they often see things so differently to adults and add such a lot of fun and interest.....
Gosh your temperature are high.....isn't it strange we have not reached temps anywhere near that yet everything is romping away....
We have had rain on and off for the last few days and cold northerly winds...bbrrrrr.....
Another thing kids like to do as soon as the sun comes out in early spring is 'take off their shoes'. Brrr I got a chill just seeing those naked feet. I bet they were surprised that the water was so cold. They were probably all warm from their walk. What a fun day. Thanks for sharing it with us.
They are so sweet. Yes, you are right about the magical quality of water. And I am right there with you when the shoes came off. Does my heart good! You have a great day!
I remember when I was a kid. The woods was a magical and mysterious place with endless possibilities. Wonderful that you got to share some of them.
Marnie
Looks like you had a lovely day. Sorry there wasn't much in bloom but I know those girls enjoyed their selves much!
There is something magical about water. It just calls out to kids and even us adults.
What sweet pictures--and darling little girls. It looked like you had a grand time!
Looks like you had a wonderful day with the girls, Beckie. But didn't you almost get blown away?! Of course, kids need to stick their toes in the water:) Hopefully, by next month the wildflowers will be in a bloom, and you'll have another reason to visit the Preserve with them. Glad to see you've had time for fun in this busy week of yours.
Our wooded areas are similarly still bare. And, yes, walking sticks seem essential for kids! I can also understand their surprise at the water being cold--kids don't get how long it takes to warm up--and after all the air was plenty warm, so shouldn't the water be?! Looks like you're spending some fun days.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time with the girls!
I've wanted a pond in the yard but won't put one in because I know my boys would probably end up IN the pond. I'm thinking it might be safe enough to put out my fountain this year. We'll see!
Water is truly magical, and it isn't only kids who want to paddle their toes in it!
I can't even imagine temps in the 70's! In March! Lucky you! Soon your wildflowers will be out in the woods. And the trees will fill out with their leaves too.
Nice pics of your grandkids. I know you had a lovely time.
Kathleen, we are back to naormal today with a high of 50. :} I would think if you had a fenced in yard a pond would be okay. Hope you get one!
Anna, aren't grands wonderful! Just love them and let them love you.
Cheryl, it has been great having the girls here longer. we raelly get to spen d time together. When it's just the weekends, we have so much going on and lots of family and little one on one time.
They all ejoy the outdoors so much and are always excited about getting to go on adventures.
We had a good rain last night and temps are much more normal today-50F. Have a great weekend and I hope it warms up some for you.
Lisa, you are sooo right. On these warm days it's a struggle to keep shoes on them. But then I'm the same way. The sun shinning in the woods was warm and we didn't get the wind, but it was glorious to feel the sun.
Tina, as I said-it's hard to tell them to keep their shoes on when I want mine off. We did have a great time in the waonderfully warm weather.
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Marnie, I always loved the woods to when I was young. Until the bugs came out that is! :}
Susie, I agree that water calls us at any age. I'm sure our woods will be exploding with wildflowers soon. Have a great weekend!
MG, thanks! We did have a great time and I so enjoyed being with them.
Rose, it was very windy, but in the woods we didn't notice it as much. I decided I wanted to do a little something special with some of them. They have been great with all that's been going on here. They wanted me to join them in the water, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back up!
Monica, maybe soon we will both have wildflowers. I didn't know walking sticks were required when walking! :}
Laura, I know about girls and water, I can just imagine what boys would do. The fountain should be safe, but it might not hurt to set some rules. :}
Wendy, believe me 70's is NOT normal for this time of year. But we took full advantage of it. Today was a cool 50 and windy again. Thanks-my girls are pretty special aren't they?!
Lovely grandkids! Hope your great weather held a few days--70 seems a bit chilly to me! I like it when it's about 78. We have maybe 3 days a year that are that perfect temp. Most are hotter.
Aiyana
A memorable adventure with the girls, Beckie. Of course, it's toes in the water and walking sticks a must for trailing through the woods ... all kids are alike. A day with grandchildren is the best! (mine were here today with my whole family celebrating youngest grandson's 6th birthday).
Time held traditions indeed. That first dip of toes in the water for children is always a thrill. Looks like you girls had a nice day together. :)
What a treat and thank you for sharing your special time with the girls with us! I am enjoying vicarious grandmotherhood with all my blogging friends!
gail
Aiyana, that's the way isn't it? So few days we consider perfect. Yet at this time of the year I am happy with sun, no wind and anthing above 50!
Joey, what fun to have family all together to celebrate a birthday. ope your grandson's day was wonderful!
Racquel, it was a great day! A ritual of spring I guess to see how cold the water is and how long before swimming will be.
Gail, share and share alike on our blogs. From blooms to weather, to insecta and birds and yes even out garndkids. :)
I remember taking my kids to the nature center and walking on the trails. Our son loved it, but our daughter complained. I think our grandson is going to be like his dad and love it, too. He loves going outside. He has allergies,though. I hope he outgrows them.
Yes, if there is a puddle or patch of snow, a kid will be drawn to it.
What a perfectly delightful day Beckie! There's just nothing like time spent with grandchildren. I'm glad you all had such a wonderful time.
Oh Beckie, what a wonderful time you had with the girls. It is so good you get out and about with them helping them to see and enjoy nature. I'm sure they love when it is time to come to Grandma's. Chirldren will keep you young and always moving!
I spent today with two of mine - we had so much fun. They got to play in the playground fountains -- the kind that come up out of the ground and the kids run around through them. They were soaked and it felt great. Children are so inspirational to be around.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel
My dear, I love nature too. Don't forget to visit my blog. you and all of your friends are invited. I really appreciate your support. Thanks...
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