mondays are for hikes

today was a day of adventure. an experience of new things. a day packed chuck full with too much to do and not enough time to do it. 

we've been held hostage for too long, and finaly we have broken free. so take that old man winter! time for some long walks, and fresh air. Lots of fresh air. and according to Denver, it was a splendid idea.

so i grabbed my gang and out we went. first lunch. then Aullwood farms.

yea, i know it's monday but school can wait until my kids are done learning.

Denver with his puzzle's, in complete concentration, tounge and all. 

 and Nev examining a skull and bones.  

and just when you think it's safe to rest in a nest, you get jumped upon!
by a 32 pound flying bum.

its nice to see Nev in a good mood. absorbing all the good the day has to offer. full of appreciation and plans on how to make her spring the best of all springs yet, with an agenda of refreshing activities & goals.

i am all for goals. 

the log across the stream was a great accomplishment for bum today. it was his first time confronted with this challenge, and he was reluctent at first. little by little he would make his way a little further. but thats bum. pushing his luck a little at a time. with his sisters encouragement and his bravery combined, he did it. and back again. thats my boy.

London rode in a pack on my back, and was never happier. she never made a peep all day, I wouldn't have know she was even there except for the 57 strands of hair she managed to pull out of my head and the occasional wet willie that stopped me in my tracks a time or two. 

she just looked around, learning, and absorbing nature for the very first time. 

I wonder what she's thinking about.

but with all this fresh air we got today, i bet when we wake in the morning, she'll be just a tad bit bigger.

the kids couldn't resist sticking their heads through the head holes of this cutout, and of course i couldn't resist taking the picture.

                  

 how sweet the sound of our feet stomping through the trails and the water. just us.

 the laughter and continuous questions indicating their will to learn.

this spring and summer will hold many more days like this i hope. according to Nev,

we will make a point to do something productive each and every day, even the rain won't stop us for that is why umbrellas were made.

i think i like that way of thinking.

                                                               

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein