Snake Lake

This morning we met up with some friends to enjoy the nature trails at Snake Lake. The kids were all busy looking for bugs, signs of animals, turtles and frogs... overall we found many of these items. The hardest part is getting all the little ones to slow down long enough to truly look. I had to remind Holly that 'it is not the destination, but the journey'. Holly really enjoyed her morning of exploration with her buddies and found many great treasures.

This is one of two turtles we spotted in the pond.The girls are all checking out a caterpillar, taking turns nicely with him.And, of course there were tons of beautiful sounding birds to be heard... not seen so much. There were some school groups on top of our group of kiddos... making for a noisier than normal park I am sure - keeping many critters at bay.

Lately Holly has really taken sweetly to buttercups. Our yard has several buttercups to enjoy. Her Aunt Blayne has taught the fun tale as a child that if you hold it below your chin and see yellow then you like butter. So now Holly collects tons of buttercups and brings them to over to check and see our butter preferences.

Well, last weekend when we were heading out to the chicken farm we passed several farm properties that were literally fields of buttercups... as far as the eye could see. Holly was really enjoying them. She then mentioned how she would just love to run through an entire field of buttercups one day... and how 'grand' that would be! Such simple dreams when you are four - you've gotta love it!

Anyhow... I couldn't pass up these little photos in a small patch of buttercups at the pond today - they are too sweet of her!

Wordless Wednesday

For the birds....

The past few days have been loaded with outing including birds! Saturday we visited a local chicken farm with our friends - learned about farming chickens, eggs, local history and more. Not sure if I feel inclined to eat more chicken and eggs or avoid them all together... think I'll give it a bit. Either way, it was very educational and so rare that a child sees where their foods come from. So, a good time!
Last night we had a picnic at the park, took a walk around the local pond, spotted an eagle and fed the ducks. It was a really nice and enjoyable evening!


The eagle giving all the birds a frenzy. Bryan said it looked like he had a duck carcass...


Feeding the ducks with Auntie Sue.. All of the smaller ones are babies, super cute!

Weekend Fun

We spent the weekend over at Anderson Island to visit with Grandpa Hawk, take in the serene slowed down life it the island has to offer, enjoy some local sites and play in the water. Saturday afternoon we headed over to the island farm to explore. While there Holly enjoyed a grass maze, which was perfect height for her to venture out into and have some fun. We checked out a bunch of old farm buildings and rusty ol' equipment, took a small nature trail to see the few ponds on the property and checked out the chickens and gardens. Sunday morning we started out morning out at the island fire station pancake breakfast. This is a nice little community event with pretty good pancakes, you get to eat breakfast inside the fire station, see all the cool equipment, meet fire men, and best of all - personalized tours of the fire engines.... can't beat that! Only in a small town!

Holly also spent a long time out enjoying her new sprinkler toy. The sun was just warm enough to truly enjoy some early season water play. The afternoon was filled with Daddy, Grandpa Hawk and me attempting to get Holly wet... not sure who won that one. But we all had a nice time and I picked up some great shots of Holly enjoying the water.

The weekend was finished with a special dessert and drink down at the restaurant and some quick fishing on the dock! A wonderful, fun filled weekend 'for sure, for sure'!!!

Eagle Island

Sunday Bryan and I enjoyed a bit of 'us' time and hit the water in our kayaks to head over to Eagle Island, while Holly and Grandpa Hawk stayed back on the beach to explore, fish, build sand castles and just hang out. The weather was amazing and the tides were low making for great sea life, a reef filled with seals galore and an easy trip. It was a nice morning trip, one we'll do again soon.

Bryan did a good job of planning out the tides for our trip, taking the easiest direction. It was pretty exciting to see the reef filled with seals. We had read about it, but seeing it was just spectacular. We kept our distance as required, hence why I don't have any great shots... that and I don't take my nice camera in the boats just our old point and shoot. But it was cool. You could hear the barks and growls fill the air, the splash as they embarked into the water and the gurgles of their tales as they dipped back under from a close visit. The seals follow you every where.

At first it is neat, then you start to realize there are tons of them around you. They pop out of the water just a bit closer and closer until you feel a bit creeped out ~ at least I did, Bryan not so much. At one point I think we had upwards of about 30 of them checking us out with more approaching. I think I got nervous once I saw a couple of them fighting in the water, there full bodies were out of water in mid air causing a stir, growling, barking and spashing like crazy. They are not small that is for sure. Cuter than anything, but not small. I still enjoyed their company though, made the trip all that more wonderful!

On the Farm

Today we visited Old McDebbie's Farm and Jim's Ufish pond with some friends. Holly had a great time! We started our morning out with an up close visit of some various farm animals, feeding them and petting them. Holly was in love with the baby goats... well, so was I! (Bryan, can we get one? Pleeaase! I kid, I kid!) One goat even ventured out of his pen and helped himself to the food dispenser, it was hilarious. Holly put in her quarter, the food came out and just as she was getting it into her hand up pops a goat and he begins to slurp it all up.

After the animals we did their little eye-spy trail which was fun for the kids. Each child had their own little card with everything they were to find, it became a challenge as to who could find the items first. For us moms though, it became a muddy mess. I suppose we should have all been alerted when the name of the trail was 'Mucky Moose', but no... we paid no mind. Well, let me just share - it was mucky, very mucky! And, since the weather is sunny and 70 most of us were in sandals or flip flops... not a good combination for the Mucky Moose trail. *sigh* Yes, my flip flop became stuck in the muck - very similar to the children's book 'Stuck Duck'. My mucked flip flop stayed behind as the rest of me continued... offering up one mucky foot. Thanks for rescuing the lone flip flop Jennifer!

Anyhow, after our trail and lunch the kids were off to enjoy a few laps of pony rides. The owners are wonderful. They let you take the ponies at your own will, guide them around with your child and just take your time. Holly really enjoyed the pony ride - it made her day she said!

Our day was finished with some preschoolers fishing... I am sure this puts a great image in your head. Pretty much how you imagined it to be, is how it was. Lot's of hurrying, scurrying, squeals, 'I can do it', 'Ick', netting, almost falling in, netting again, oops a wet foot now... the list goes on. It was fun though, a great memory for the adults at least! Holly caught a trout, reeled it in and refused to touch it. I coached her to just try it once, that was enough. She did great though and had fun! She even helped net her friends fish for her. Holly carried her bucket proudly to the cleaning station after her and friend compared fish... we now have a trout in the fridge. We'll how she likes it for dinner.

Over all... a very fun day!