Sunday, April 24, 2011

exploration baskets.


The boys found some goodies in their baskets today that drove us to the local pond. Walking sticks, nets, magnifying glasses, nature notebooks, guide books, sunprint paper and more were tucked into baskets to celebrate getting OUTSIDE again this spring.


We have all been a bit under the weather, but wanted to get some sunshine and fresh air after many days of cold and wet.


We wandered where the boys could test their new walking sticks as well as practice cast and use their new nets on ... frogs? Fish? Nets are fun for exploring and observation, before letting things go.


There is not much green around here with our really late spring ... trees are mostly bare, fields are brown, and the only green is the bit of grass. So being right by the water was nice. Tufts of neon green and the ridiculously loud singing of the frogs! Woo hoo!


The boys found their favorite spot to cast and hang out. Of course it is the steepest spot of the whole pond area, and within minutes of me taking these photos,


in fact in about 1.3 seconds from here, A slid down the gravel hill while trying to get some algae in his net and SPLASH!!!!! Brrrrrrrrr!!! A doesn't much like wearing cold soaked algae coated shoes (I had extra clothes so he could change out of soaked slimy pants, but not shoes), so we headed home after a bit. ;)


We have many more pond adventures to come, I'm sure! We have some more cold and rainy days heading our way, but we are happy after having some sunshine. And we have have a few baskets of goodies when the sun returns.


.

16 comments:

brianna said...

Love the baskets! Love the fishing spot! Poor A, hope he wasn't upset. Hope you guys had a nice day.

tiff said...

Love these baskets...just perfect for your boys'! i hope spring shows its face soon...we are having strange wintery weather here too...i am ready for warm...not too hot days! hugs to you guys...hope you are well soon!

Stephanie said...

awesome baskets!

i know what you mean--we (my family) can handle cold and snow/rain as long as every third day or so can be spent Out! :)

Happy Spring!

Tara said...

Despite the lack of green Spring is evident in the beautiful light you see in your photographs.

The baskets are a fine idea for two nature loving boys ;)

slim pickins said...

I was thinking about your family while we were in Madison - we headed to the arboretum on Friday during a spot of no-rain and found sandhill cranes in the wetlands! I think they've been there for about a month; they were so beautiful to watch, and that marsh is so gorgeous...lots of wildflowers almost in bloom along the path...if you get another break in the rain, it might be a nice spring destination!

Amy Bradstreet said...

Ooo, such nice treats in their baskets! Sun paper, good idea! I love your little fishing spot. I still bring extra clothing with us, but you're right, it's harder to keep shoes dry or extras around. Feel better, all of you!

Julie said...

How fun! What a great idea for filling baskets:)

Debbie said...

Oh...I love the boys baskets. I'm feeling your pain with the lack of spring (as you know) but it's coming. Hopefully we'll be laughing this all off in another week or so. xo

slim pickins said...

denise - we WERE in madison for about 4 days this week - most of our family is there, and had we more time this time around i would have written - i'd love for our families to meet up. i'll write before our summer trip home in august!

Flo said...

Great idea for baskets! Don't you feel like such a good mom when you have dry clothes waiting for accidents like this? I'm not always prepared but when I am, it's the best.

denise said...

Flo - A is such a sensitive kid ... he HATES being dirty, being wet, having a wet cuff or a tear or anything. You would be amazed at how many times a week we actually use the backup clothes. ;) My car is totally stocked. Any time I forget to "re-stock" and something happens (which is every time I forget), I feel terrible!



Sounds like all of us on the top half of NA are having a wintry spring? I can't believe it is al most MAY!

Shady Lady said...

What an awesome idea to do exploration baskets!! You are the coolest mom! So sorry A slipped in the eww. Princess doesn't like to get dirty/wet either (unless getting wet is by choice).

Warm days (multiple) are close...they have to be. I'm so tired of being cold. And Oregon isn't even *that* cold. ;-/

Sara said...

Your boys are getting so big. Love those baskets... such fun.

Mon said...

nice to be getting out again, especially when you've been ill.

what's sunprint paper?

likeschocolate said...

I love it! Happy Pond adventures to come.

Anonymous said...

What fun things to have in their baskets! We are loving our walks to the pond and the new parks and fun places we are finding around Madison!