Walkin' in da woods

We're supposed to get a big ol' Nor'easter tomorrow night, and it's going to be rainy and cold and gross for a few days, so we took advantage today of the opportunity to get outside. It was in the 40s and somewhat sunny, so we headed to the woods with our friends.

We had a nice time. As soon as we started out, R.'s friend A. fell and cut her hand. She was pretty upset, but eventually calmed down and we headed on our way. I was proud of R. because we crossed paths with several dogs (and their owners), and R. wasn't afraid. He even pet one dog named Maggie for a long time. I'm so glad that fear is gone for him. He's still cautious, but he doesn't start climbing me like a tree anymore whenever he sees a dog within 200 feet of him.

I love walking in the woods and pointing out all kinds of things to R.: blue jays screeching overhead, crocuses popping up, mallards swimming in the pond, fuzzy buds on the dogwood trees, etc. We talked a little bit about how trees decompose and go back to the earth. I'm always amazed at how much of what I talk about he absorbs. Sometimes it'll be weeks later, and he'll mention something I've said and put it in context.

Of course, you have to find a nice rock to sit a spell and have a snack.



We walked for a long time and wore the kids out. (Isn't that the point?) But they had fun finding walking sticks and digging in the dirt with them, throwing piles of leaves, jumping off and over rocks and logs, and chasing each other.

And, then, on our way back to our cars...




Whoa - time to get the boy up from his nap. Actually, boys. A. is asleep on the futon while I'm typing. :-)

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful world and for the freedom and leisure we've been blessed with to enjoy it. Thank you for my boys. And, thank you for my mom and dad who taught me about loving nature in the first place. Amen.

Happy weekend!