My kids love parks with jungle gyms and swings but I have a very hard time getting enthusiastic over them. I kind of always dread going to them but once we're there I am glad I went because they are totally occupied and I can just sit there and zone out for a bit. So these are the types of parks we frequent most often. On days when I feel I have the energy to entertain them and lead them in play, we will go to a park with no kiddie stuff.
Matilija poppy- They're huge and incredibly gorgeous!
Yesterday I felt up to it and although the day did not go completely smooth (when does it ever with little ones?) we did have a very fun time. So with backpacks, some snacks and a frisbee we headed out. You have to walk in to this particular park which is nice because it's never crowded. We watched the squirrels, chased butterflies and looked at the pretty flowers. We've been watching Man vs Wild lately, which inspired Marianne to make her own pretend fire with branches. Apparently it got too out of control because the next thing I knew Shane was peeing on it. Marianne thought that was hilarious and I have to admit that I did too :)
After our time in the park we walked back up toward the car to a reservoir. There were more flowers and lots of birds. At this point Marianne was tuckered and whined the rest of the way which was all uphill. I couldn't blame her. I did my best to distract her by pointing out any little thing I could. It worked for the most part :)
I'm glad I captured this moment of sweetness with Shane and Marianne. They've been at each others throats lately so it's good to know they can be nice to one another.
This summer I'd like to visit more parks of this nature. It really lifts my spirits to be outside and going to these less crowded places makes you momentarily forget you're in Orange County. It's good for the kids as well and has made them more interested in nature. Now I just need to get a field guide so we can start identifying the wildlife.
Ok, I'm off to relax on the couch with my husband! Everyone is asleep! I have to soak up these rare moments when they come :)
♥ anne
I'm totally with you with the park situation. I love that the kids do a pretty good job entertaining themselves on playgrounds, but I feel like the trade-off is that I can't sit and daydream the way I want to because I get caught making small talk with other parents.
ReplyDeleteHope you find your way to all sorts of beautiful places this summer.
I was an only child so my parents veeery rarely every brought me to parks, kiddie-centric or not. Nature is just so good for us as people though, something about being connected with the ground and growing things and really seeing what we're a part of on this planet. That photo of crying baby and smiling Marianne, guess the kidlets are used to baby noises heh.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in such a park I have to say parks can be great playgrounds without much more than sticks stones and imagination, but I totally understand that a little distraction can be so fun when you have little ones to entertain. I would say that beaches certainly are nature's best playgrounds, but there's not always one around. I'm glad you guys had a fun day and impressed with Shane and Marianne's wilderness skillz! Love ya! Thanks for these shining pictures <3
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you... I can't stand the jungle gyms. They zap my spirit in some way. I took my boys to Casper's Wilderness park the other day and I thought it was a good compromise given the fact it's one of the largest wilderness parks in OC but also has a jungle gym area. We walked around the nature center (a very short, but doable hike for my littles) and then I let them play at the jungle gym (there was NO one else there). It was rad. We even saw a deer. The creek is all dried up this time of year, but come the next rain storm, you can find me there. We should meet up there!
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