A day in an exploress' life

How to have a fun outing with a kid: don't have expectations. Especially don't expect that this "outing" has anything to do with what you want to do-- get exercise, socialize, pick a few pounds of berries, get a tan (some people still want them, apparently).

The amazingly ironic thing about having fun with kids, is that the more you release yourself from your expectations of how you want it to turn out, the more you and your child will have fun!

Case in point: Anna and I explored the other day. We started on a walk with nothing but a few snacks and a plastic magnifying glass, and we had the most amazingly wonderful time together. We didn't get incredibly far in our walk, but it was way better than the majority (all) of the long walks I have dragged her on for my benefit!

We found slugs in abundance.

and yes, that is a tutu that Anna is wearing. She finds it breathes well in the mugginess of the jungle...

a nice close up of the slug was in order. It was all I could do to keep Anna from picking it up and either 1) eating it, and 2) putting it in her pocket.

there was also some great puddle time. I know that the mom in me should have told her to stay out of the puddle, but I like to encourage puddle jumping in our family!

THAT is a happy girl...

and Anna is having a great time too :)

Anna found this caterpillar all on her own. I didn't even see it!

watching Anna discover things is one of the most rewarding parts of being her parent. She gets SO excited, and she squeals a lot.

and of course, how could you resist blackberry picking along the way (a way better snack than the ones I brought)



And these few pictures hardly do justice to the true awesomeness of our explorer experience. We also met three spiders, in their webs; saw a blue flower, a purple flower, and a yellow flower; examined a leaf that was just like the kind that the "Very Hungy Caterpillar" eats through to calm his troubled tummy (holes and all!); and to top it off, we ran through crunchy brown and yellow fall leaves-- just to hear what it sounded like! Like I said-- a truly awesome day.

No expectations...just Anna and me!