Today was absolutely gorgeous outside! I realized that in the winter the swamp protects us from the cold and wind by being down low and blocked by bushes and trees. In the heat of late spring we are protected from the hot sun by the fresh shade of new leaves. It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon and evening in any season.
Everyone was wearing lily-of-the-valley flowers in their hair for post-Crazy Hair Day. (We smelled delightful!)H. helps adorn D. who wasn’t terribly pleased about it.They said they were unicorns.Huge patches of lily-of-the-valleyThey all know what the huge, old, wild grapevines look like, but no one knew what new grapevine leaves and baby grapes looked like! K. thought they looked like, “Barbie grapes.”S. is extremely proud to have been the one who named, “The Enchanted Forest.”On a frog-catching mission right from the start!
A wood frog on a log.It was frog city out there!
This frog was free to go but it decided to hang out a while longer.
Frogs in buckets are much easier to catch!
She conquered her fear of frogs!
Gently petting this tiny being. Probably not the frog’s favorite activity, but in the name of building and maintaining a love for amphibians (who are a sensitive, indicator species of clean water, soil, and air,) I say, GO FOR IT! Pet that frog!Shrieks of laughter followed by two dripping, muddy girls. I asked, “Was this on purpose, by accident, or somewhere in between?” E. grinned at me and said, “Definitely somewhere in between…”They held hands and stomped through the last bit of water before we had to go back.
I am an and outdoor educator with a master's in early childhood development. I taught elementary school for 20 years and now own Woods and Wetlands LLC, offering programs for local children to engage in nature study through play and exploration-based learning. My programs are all outdoors in whatever "wild" spaces are available. I live in Rockford, Michigan with my husband, dog, and three cats. My unique, therapeutic, one and a half hour programs help children to connect with the natural world and with themselves.
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