PICS OF KIDS ON ONE OF OUR MANY HIKES

"Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them."
The Audubon Nature Preschool



There is no such thing as a leisurely hike with my kids...they run, and run and run, like little elves in the woods. Their feet are light, their mind is free...my little teachers for me.






Monday , the first day of break, I took my little training partners on another trail adventure that was new to all of us.





Do not under estimate the power of a child....I believe they can out energized me on most given days. They are always trained and ready for an adventure. Its funny how we analyze our training runs, get on our computer world to report them to so many, in need of our egos to be boosted by our big miles this week and that week (which I love to report in my own head)...but kids, they can just go without any clock or concept of miles. Their "wonder" is always in full force...and that is their drive. When I am around my children in nature, they help me to remember to be free of so much.






On this trail adventure, their feet were in full force.
It amazes me how far their little feet take them.



We ran over bridges, through creeks, through mudd (that I will clean up off their shoes!), through cedar swamps, a very old white pine forest, bushwacking off the trail a bit. Pure fun.



We saw woodpeckers, blackcap chickadees (mastered that whistle!), hawks, turkey.




I could go on and on....but it was a "one with nature day". I have been out with my kids in the woods so many times - and what is great is to see them get IT.






IT, being the appreciation for being together, the simplicity of silence (well, not all the time), the beauty of nature when undisturbed, the visual exercise, the lost in time.....many words can describe IT. IT is a wonderful thing.







We were suppose to go to an Indoor Waterpark...but I just can't justify it when we have so much beauty around us....and the weather has been perfect. We are healthy and my kids have too much energy that needs to be used up.

My kids are growing fast, but for now, they are keeping me young!




"Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events of their lives".

"Along with milk and vegetables, kids need a steady diet of rocks and worms. Rocks need skipping, holes need digging, water needs splashing, bugs and frogs and slimy stuff need finding" ANONYMOUS