going outside

I remember as child, going out to the nature center with my family. We'd pile in the car, my grandma would pack a lunch and we'd head out. We'd decide on a trail, the lake loop or the forest, take a brief stop in the center itself and be off. 

I always wanted to go through the woods and I particularly enjoyed these hikes in the colder months. The fall in Michigan felt like a quieting time for the earth; clouds coming in to cover us like a quilt, stilling the world around us and the bright sunny days of summer activity shifting to the slow, darker days of fall and winter. We'd stop to feed the chickadees and nuthatches; holding very still with a handful of sunflower seeds, the little birds would eventually come and perch every so lightly on our fingertips, the claws tiny tickly pokes on our skin, and quickly take a seed before fluttering away. The distinct cheeing of the chickadees making a soft background sound in the quiet. 

After our hike, we'd come back to the car and enjoy our lunch which always tasted better, being eaten outside. Cheese and crackers, maybe some salami, cookies and little tins of grapefruit juice or some hot chocolate on the colder days. 

These were times to reconnect with each other and with ourselves. A time to rejuvenate after being in the hustle of 'things to do' in our days. For me, they were always times that reassured me that everything would work out just fine. Nature has a way of reminding us of that. That no matter what happens, things go on. I find that comforting.

The kids and I went out on Friday. Even though there were some complaints that we weren't going to a playground, they both said they enjoyed themselves by the end. 

It's pretty funny trying to get these two rascals to take a picture together and have them both look.... happy or at least normal. Here are some of the shots it took to get there.

Yes, I had to bribe Jacob to take his picture. And sometimes Benjamin too. I most definitely had to throw in some poop talk to get a genuine smile from Jacob. But I consider it well worth it :)