Little local adventures, early spring 2025

We are trying to make every effort to spend more time outside this spring. Although there have been a few very warm outliers, it has been a rather chilly spring so far.

One particular "adventure routine" we have is a morning or midday visit to our local arboretum. We have an annual family pass, which has been worth every penny for us. After brief morning errands one morning we headed over. I chose a short hiking trail loop for us to do, intending for Cooper and Finn to hike and for me to wear Arlo in the baby carrier. And despite the intense wind gusts and a muddy creek slipping mishap, the big boys did great. One passerby on the trail commented on what "good hikers" they were (I agree)! Of course, the continual hunt for sticks and bugs and puddles on the trail is great motivation. Our particular arboretum has a great kids garden area with various structures for climbing and play, and so we always swing by that on the way back to the car, and I can usually sneak in a few rows on a portable knitting project. We saw tons of "beaver evidence," on the trail back to the car, and then went on a hunt to look for the beaver den and more evidence of their construction activities. Cooper found some fresh wood shavings, as well, and we talked all about beavers. Meanwhile, Finn was happy to tote around an Avon fish-printed umbrella, circa 1993ish(!) that was mine when I was a kid. That thing travels with us nearly everywhere.

And last week, we ventured to the arboretum again, this time armed with packed lunches, closer to midday. I had the boys on the lookout for "signs of spring," and we saw plenty. Bits of green grass popping up, the first of the daffodils, a few low, budding flowers on the edge of the trail. Cooper really wanted to do quite a bit of hiking. We started with a short trail, stopped for lunch, since Finn was quite hungry and it was drizzling a bit. After lunch and snacks, a chance for me to feed Arlo, and a break in the light rain, we went back out for a bit more hiking (I think around 2 miles total) and both big boys hiked all of it, save for 15 feet or so where I carried Finn.

I share this as an encouragement! Obviously, I've never parented three kids prior to Arlo's arrival, so I'm learning as I go. But these two outings in particular felt so fun for me! Obviously the boys had a blast, but I find I enjoy my children so much in a setting where they can run and play unhindered, we can all move our bodies and breathe fresh air and admire God's creation together. Unlike a trip to Costco with all three boys, this is the type of outing that leaves us all feeling a little tired, but also refreshed. Obviously there is a time and a place for all sorts of errands with kids, but some feel entirely utilitarian, while some are joy-filled. Little boys waving sticks around, pretending to be Link from Zelda, thrilled to spot more beaver activity or a bird, or tiny "signs of spring." There is good reason why these ages are sometimes called "the wonder years." I'm eagerly anticipating our next arboretum picnic/hiking/outdoor play day!

And one other fun little local outing we had recently was visiting a local park for the annual Maple Syrup Time. They tap the sugar maples in the park every year, and then boil the sap down to syrup in the Sugar Shack, and bottle it for purchase. Visitors can see the entire process, as well as visit the historic mill and do crafts and other activities. The boys enjoyed it so much, last year and this year as well.

It was a fun day! I'm so glad for fun weekend events like this that we can attend as a family. And it makes me all the more excited for the warmer months ahead, going on more little local adventures with my boys.