Just get outside

Today we went to Seward Park for a little nature hike. It was a lovely welcome especially since as we go off the bus the bus driver allowed the boys to pull the "next stop" bell several times each. We were the only ones on the # 39 at that point.

The Audubon Center was hosting craft activities inside to keep people warm and in preparation for the holidays. My boys loved the activity of making a reindeer out of a toilet paper roll. Just as we were finishing at that station the other kids from cooperative preschool and their parents arrived at the center. It looked like it might be a challenge to get everyone hiking. One of the kids was really wanting to go to the playground and not go on a hike and soon S. was ready to go play out on the playgroound too. However, we got everyone to go upstairs and hike out the back door of the center. I had brought a bag of finger puppets and had each child grab one out of a bag: holding a cozy robin, or bear, or wren seemed to help encourage the kids to think that there was a lot to see out in the woods and we started off.

The hike went well although we mostly saw signs of animals and not the animals themselves. When we got tired we did tree bark rubbings and this re-engaged drifters.

I think that creating a habit of hiking is probably what is best for wee ones. Then adults don't need to be so guiding, also kids develop confidence to investigate and scurry about.

We emerged from the woods to sprinkles and then sunshine- yet another reason to just get out of doors.

No stroller : Yet over a mile

Yesterday I realized that my 2 1/2 year old boys and I did our first no stroller, over a mile, walk. Typically I have always brought it as back up, but yesterday the sun was shining and we skipped out the door away from our house. All I know is that we may might be beginning a new era of hands free!

I realize I have not been writing as much lately. Mostly it is because I have been taking early childhood education classes and planning an outdoor preschool. I don't know if it will take off the ground as I do not have a location or a sponsoring organization, but I have a strong vision. Meanwhile, I am leading a nature play day for my cooperative preschool. I realize that I harbor insecurities about having the whole activity be out of door rain or shine. But, I think this fear is my own. Children would do just fine for one morning all out of doors. Secondly, it is my nature that I want to over plan.

Here is my brainstorm of how a rainy day walk in the woods could go with kids who have not spent a lot of time out of doors.

1) First I think I will bring a few puppet animals and ask the kids if they think we might find one of these? Ask them what we might find. I can bring the "inchanimal" sticks and see if we can find something each size.

2). Then we check if we are ready. Do we have on coats, mittens, boots, do we have dry socks, dry pants and a couple of layers? Do adults have: at least one first aid kit, hot cocoa or hot tea? snacks?

3). Then we just start hiking. If we find something interesting we can go look at it.
When we get to my favorite tree we stop and maybe sing a tree song.

The following ideas came from:
http://www.rifamiliesinnature.org/games-for-the-trails/

Games for the Trails

Use games, songs, and activities to keep your kids from getting bored or tired.

Distractions from simply trudging along in the woods will help your kids (and you) stay interested and motivated. Here are some ideas:

• Play “I Spy” or”20 Questions.”
• Sing your favorite songs or make up words about the hike to fit into a familiar tune.
• Count birds, flowers, or clouds.
• Search for anything that is blue (or red or yellow or…).
• Take turns using a camera to document the trip.
• Play the alphabet game: find something on the trail that starts with the letter a, then b, and so on.
• Create your own – or simply use or modify RIFIN’s – hiking scavenger hunt.
• Collect leaves, shells, rocks, or acorns – and then remember to return them before going home.
• Imagine you are living in the forest long, long ago and pretend to hunt or gather food.
• Bring paper and crayons to draw animals, plants, or favorite scenes. Older children might enjoy keeping a “nature journal” of your adventures together.
• Ask simple, open ended questions about objects in nature.
• Work together to make up silly poems or stories.
• Let children create their own games – they will most likely impress you!

Finally, my own mantra needs to be let the children lead! They will do a great job. Then, set this nature experience up as a regular play group time.

Health Care Providers Making the Nature Connection

Currently I am taking an Early Childhood Educational Leadership Class. I am afraid that most of my free moments are spent reading articles on early childhood and doing research in order to plan my dream of creating an urban nature preschool. It is exciting to see that there is so much concern these days about children and nature. There are excellent resources that explain how many personal and-I believe -community illnesses can be prevented. It is exciting to see health care providers making the connection between lack of time in nature and asthma, myopia, obesity and even the mental health of youngsters. It is also exciting to see that there are ways to change this that will be good for individuals and communities. I am hoping my preschool could be a start, but with attention communities can organize to change the landscape of their communities to be healthier, greener, and beneficial for all.

Translucent leaves shining in the sunlight

Today we went on leaf hike. We made tree trunk vests out of paper bags and later did tree rubbings by holding the paper up to trees and running a crayon over it. We may make the tree vests fancier tomorrow by adding roots (strings) to the bottom of the vest and possibly stick xylem and phloem. In any case I was thrilled to have my kids initiate the hike we took today. For a few minutes before the rush hour sounds came back- loud and jolting- all I could hear was their singing and humming as they played with leaves and meandered along the trail of our local urban forest.

Who likes the rain?

These are just some fun stories for tots and young children. I especially like the multi-cultural science book. Sung with a few songs like "the rain is falling down, splash" and along with the cotton ball over a tray of water cloud activity and you have a great mini-lesson on rain. In the spring I would add April Rain Song by Langston Hughes.
The early childhood naturalist educator I worked with this morning made the lessons even more fun singing a song "if gumdrops fell like raindrops." and then she led a nature hike looking for signs of rain and plants and animals that thrive in the rain such as worms, lichen, and fungi. My favorite part was when she went to a grassy area and asked all the kids to touch it and say what they noticed.

Driftwood exploration

This past week involved many urban nature adventures including one facilitated tot time/hike at a park across town. Once again the child-directed exploration seemed more beneficial to my children's growing understanding and love of the outside world.

Group led activities for tots I think of this as ages 1 1/2-3 1/2 are an art. More and more I am thinking that they should always be hands on/ involve some choice and watching of the children's interests, and free form. Although socialization needs to come, the goal of nature experience should be on nature and not group skills. Also since many tot time activities include parents they should be memory making for both the child and the adult. Things that I think will work the best:

Books set out for lap reading

Activity stations for solo or with parent guidance for exploration

Songs

Listening to Sounds (but only for brief periods of time)

Mystery solving

Kinesthetic

free play/exploration- this may mean that sometimes the beautiful driftwood becomes a "train" according to the tots. However a remarkable amount of nature observation tactile, auditory, and visual occur.

For an example, while my boys played on driftwood yesterday here is a bit of the learning I observed:

Boys hit sticks of different sizes/ shapes on the log, heard different tones.
The boys explored balance as they scrambled along, over, and around the logs.
T was particulary interested in a seagull that flew overhead. He listened to its call. Watched it and then tried to mimic the sound. Then he said " That's a seagull."
They utilized their imaginations as they envisioned their train: needing gas, a new driver, and getting a trailer.
They also had some social emotional skill development when another family stopped by to talk. Their young girl shared her big leaf maple leaves with the boys.

The celebration and wonder of nature was shared with all.

A walk with grandma

Beautiful fall days deserve to be savored. Yesterday the boys, their mom and their grandma went to the local park. The boys chose the activities. First we went to see the ducks at the little beach. We watched them for a good fifteen minutes as they would preen their feathers,rest, eat, and splash into the water! Then the boys were ready for a walk in the woods. We entered by the mysterious stairs behind the play area and went searching for animals or a place for a little house, but what we found was mostly just a beautiful path. The boys enjoyed going up and down the hill. Theo found a big leaf maple that went swoosh in the air as he waved it about. After about a quarter of a mile the path turned paved, we passed a hollow log, and watched cars pass beside us. It was time to return to the play area.

Camping at a State Park

On our recent trip to the eastern side of the mountains. The boys loved to play at our campsite. From the first night's arrival as they moved easily in the dark: walking on logs and circling round the campsite. To morning's light when they kicked up dirt and hauled around pine needles into giant loads on their compost truck.

Then so much fun at the at the lake and later visiting the horses and the ampitheater.

These two and a half year olds are learning about the world through experience and stories. It makes me very glad that our state has a State Park System and our city, great libraries.

As the boys played in the dirt and pine needles I wondered how long this park had existed. Although, I am not sure of this exact park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, a little research says our State Park System will be a 100 years old in 2013. What are we doing to ensure the protection of these amazing resources? What are we doing to get more people- those who have never been here before out in the wilderness so that they can understand the importance of these places?
In the early part of the 20th century there was a lot of investment into creating parks. Now I know that they are struggling to stay operating despite the Great Outdoor Initiative.

It would be a sad day if the little patches of dirt amongst the trees and forests were left to become weed and garbage covered. Nature would return, but what about us?

Getting out of the City

We had planned on leaving at nap time, right after our morning urban adventure and lunch. But, as it goes doing final packing with young ones it took a little time more than we had planned. Who knew that we would have to wait for the compost man to come up the street and that right behind him would be the mail carrier. By then it was almost 3:30 and so as we turned to head east into the mountains we found ourselves caught in egregious traffic.

As we drove slowly along we wondered. Is it worth going through this traffic just to be free of the city? If there had been an easy turn around we probably would have taken it. We were torn: desiring the peace of the mountain air but hating this slow passageway in our car. In our daily lives we do as much as possible to never be in the car and yet here we were in a long line of autos filing slowly down the road.

We broke free of the traffic, but now it was already nearly five. We wondered if we really should show up to our campsite late in the evening. Dark clouds were overhead and it already seemed as if night would fall soon. Besides, as we went through the list of our gear we realized that Shawn's and my raincoats had been left behind and that our tent would probably not keep out water. Was the forecast which said the next few days would be sunny correct or would we only be getting to the campsite and then needing to pack up in the dark to escape rain in our secondhand tent?

This is the challenge of getting out of the city. There are so many things to pull you back to the comfort of home, especially when you have two kids in the back already crying because they have not napped and they are not used to riding in the car.

But, the lure of the mountains won. Their grey darkness had already cast its spell on us and turning around would have been too sad. Since it was a weekday we knew that if things got too desperate we could probably find a cheap hotel. Thankfully, drives in the northwest when the roads are clear of obstacles go quite quickly. We saw beautiful trees, train trestles, and rivers. We told stories and sang a few songs. We arrived over the winding pass in a great heave. Theo got carsick at the entrance to the campground and the sun stayed glimmering through the trees just long enough to find our site.

We had made it from the grasps of urban life and now we were happily in the wild.

Backyard Chimenea Campfire

"Why did it take so long for us to do this?" asked Shawn as we sat and watched the wood burn in the little ceramic chimenea that has been sitting unused on our patio since before our kids were born.

I looked at our boys and realized that it took these past two and a half years to be able to have our arms free. Then you have to consider Seattle weather as well as the time of sunset. Yesterday was just the perfect day for a little fire in the yard.

The boys had taken a late nap after a day spent exploring the beach at Discovery Park so this meant that there was a lot of time after dinner for adventure and fun. Since the weather was cool and dry Shawn and I came up with the idea of "how about a fire." We don't have an indoor fireplace, but we have a lovely ceramic chimenea in the yard on our stone patio. We gathered some supplies and headed out of doors. It was still too bright outside at first so the boys just played. Since our yard opens onto our neighbors it was natural that soon it was four and five boys all playing together. Being out of doors just invites play. The neighbor child's cap and goggles as well as our boys pretend cellphones, a few balls and a bat, led to plenty to do before darkness set in. But as is the case, summer days drift into summer nights and soon it was dark enough to light the fire. Unlike our campfires lately, the wood was dry and we only used a recycled envelope to create enough flame to burn the dried wood we have had sitting around.

The flames danced upward and the smoke went out the little chimney. A fire invites community and it wasn't long until the mom next door and her son joined us. Our young children were enchanted by the flicker for a short while, then they ran around in the growing darkness until the inevitable fall occurred. Luckily, Theo was not badly hurt and the kids gathered in our arms. We all watched the wood, fire and embers. The adults talked until it was time for songs. We sang a few classic favorites -including the abc song, Sam's request, along with Twinkle Twinkle and Ba Ba Black Sheep- songs that are to the same tune. The neighbor boy next door was the first to say, "I am running out of energy" and he left with his mom.

Our boys stayed in our laps for only a few minutes more and then helped dad get water to put out the fire.

As we went into the house Sam and I lingered behind. It is not often that you notice stars in the urban sky, but last night they were present. Sam layed down on the grass and I joined him. For ten minutes we noticed the stars. We pointed out the bright ones. The one "over there and over there." We saw the clouds and Sam noticed the trees above us as well. The boys don't yet know about wishing on a star...but what more could a mom wish for than getting to spend such a peaceful moment with her child knowing her other boy and husband are happily starting snack in the warm light of the kitchen.

Camping Trip to the Beach

This week were able to take a short trip to Deception Pass State Park. On a weekday (for us Thursday) you can get there without a reservation, but we were out of luck when Friday rolled around so it was a one night stay. It is a lovely area on the Northern part of Whidbey Island. The views in the area are amazing, however, be prepared for a lot of air noise. The navy air base is just south of the State Park and the rumble of planes is constant.

In anycase, the boys were oblivious to the noise. They had found their new love- the driftwood beaches of the Pacific Northwest. Little driftwood piles became their house. Rocks became pancakes. Another log was their "Thomas the Train." "Mom, dad, ride the train" they said constantly.

Since our campsite was in the woods we cooked dinner on the beach and watched the sunset. The sun disappears fast these days. :) Which meant we needed to set up the tent in the dark as we had not done it earlier.
Shawn got it up. The boys and I tried to start a fire. We made mostly smoke and finally embers as the wood we had bought seemed too wet.

Camping was fun, but it is definitely a chore. From the packing to the unpacking to the packing of each item numerous times. Shawn asked, "why do people do this?" at some point around the time the dishes from breakfast needed to be cleaned. We looked around and words couldn't express it, however the boys playing in clouds of campground dirt with their little toy dump trucks loaded with rocks and twigs seemed to express the answer.

Reflections on a Nature Play and Learn

Megan and I, along with the Audubon naturalist, Ali, hosted a "play and learn" for 2-3 year old children and their caregivers on Thursday at the local park. It went well. Thanks to many helping hands, including grandma and my husband who kept my own boys engaged with activities while I helped lead the session.

The children found activities to do and parents and caregivers connected with one another and enjoyed being in the sparkling sunshine. Acorns falling from the oak tree above blessed our day.

The things that worked wonderfully were:

Simple activities for kids to engage in and then when critical mass was reached to do introductions.

Ali introduced how the program came about and mentioned other opportunities for families at the park.

Megan and I had people share names and ways that they enjoy nature with children. (this went well, however if there was a way to get more specific it might be helpful- such as "we go out onto the porch each night to check where/ or if there is a moon visible in the sky).

After this we had children and their caregivers choose stations with which to interact.
There was a bug magnifying lens station.
A reading area- although books were spread out at each station.
A natural play material area with sticks and leaves and acorns.
An art area.

I spent most of my time at the art station and since this area had numerous smaller activities it seemed most busy. There was drawing, painting, pipe cleaner art, and the project I had intended to be the focus which was making coffee filter butterflies (better for a slightly older group).

Pictures show that there were sweet moments of interactions with parent/ child/ naturalists in each station.

20 minutes or so later we had a clean-up time and then moved into playing with the parachute, singing a song of Ring around the Rosie and then heading off into the woods.

Some people broke off at this point to take care of children's specific needs: playing at the playground, having snack. Toddlers need to be somewhat self directed. In my experience this is perfectly fine. The people who did go on the hike were just excited to be sharing the joy of nature with their children. Several of the parents told me that although they were often at the play area they had not gone on this close in trail. Discoveries were made: from the soft touch of the thimbleberry, to the giant lightening tree. Kids played with sticks and cones. They "read" the new signposts showing a map of the park alongside their parents.

As the hike winded down. Many of the parents and children stopped in to visit Lumpy the Turtle before heading back for "ants on a log." Celery sticks with hummus and dried cranberries.

As one of the leaders I realize the first time of doing anything is the hardest. It took a lot of visualization and planning. I give a huge thank you to the Audubon Center for allowing us to make this happen! We had to have a room reserved in case of rain. The color flyers, the promotional information, and the brown paper-bag signup worked splendid. Thanks Ali! We did allow for a few drop-ins and although the intention was to get people without computer access an opportunity to join in- I think in retrospect that there needs to be a clear cap that if you do not sign up online there will be a first come first serve maximum of five more.

A huge thank you to Vivian who was accompanying her family to the play and learn. Her help made a great difference.

I can see doing more "play and learns" in the future.
I could also imagine doing just a tot hike-- but it would have to be a very small group of parents and their children 5 kids and their adults?

Other tips/ questions for the future would be;

Do we need a picture release form?

Still wondering what more to do to get families who are unfamiliar with the park to attend:

We had flyers in Spanish and English, but the one family I heard was going to come did not arrive until the program was over (2 hours late).

The promotional bus passes only encouraged one family who usually drives to the park to try an alternative transit.

Woods Exploration

The other evening my family went on a walk in the woods. We left to the sound of gunshots in our neighborhood and were truly thankful for the gentle old growth woods. My husband commented,"we are lucky in Washington, there are not to many things that are dangerous for the boys out here." He was comparing the NW forest to the poison oak we had seen all over the forest in California by San Rafael and the deer ticks that are rampant many parts of the year in Minnesota. Here we are able to basically give the boys free rein.

On this evening two and a half year old Theo was our guide. He chose the trails to follow. Mom, then grandma, then Sam and papa ran after him. Mom wanted to make sure that he did not get to any forks in the path and disappear.

This running, a bit hard on elders' knees, is a wonderfully gleeful activity for the boys. The boys run down the path: Exuding joyfulness.

They listen to the sound of a wooden bridge under their feet. Then run back and forth across it because there is a slight dip at either end of the bridge where they build momentum. Mama chases Sam back and forth. Back and forth. Papa and Theo have gone ahead. Theo's turn to ride in the backpack carrier and he is enjoying the view and bounce from up high.

Then there is another stop. Theo has found some sticks. Sam has found a place he calls his house. He gathers sticks too. There is drumming by both boys on a downed tree. Quite a while later we continue on the path, touching thimbleberry leaves and tapping sticks.

Going is slow. Sam stops to "read" the sign posts and comprehend the map.

Theo and papa have made it out of the forest and found a tree whose leaves have already fallen. They are throwing the leaves about- smiles big. It has been a grand hike.

First Camping Trip

Now that we have returned from our first camping trip I wonder why we waited so long to go to the mountains with the boys. Of course, I think we must have done just right since it went so well. First, before I lose a couple of poignant memories:


Sam walking along a ridge trail next to Thunder Creek. He pauses and just looks out down a steep embankment filled with trees and plant life. I can only describe the look as one of simple wonder.

Theo in mamma's arms comes out of the forest into a clearing where you can see stars. He looks up and says,"go up bring back star."


Our camping trip was to the Colonial Creek Campground in the North Cascades and it was inspired because a dear friend Hilary was getting married at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. As soon as we entered the North Cascades their was one last call of "tree tunnel" and then- we were in a tree tunnel more or less for the next 3 days. The boys loved the sticks, the bumpy paths, the moss, lichen, rocks, fire, and dirt. They played until they were so dirty that they looked tan. Their clothes became brown. Their smiles almost a constant until we would have to leave and then came the tantrums. "Water" "Stay by the water" said Sam between gasps as we pulled away from the Colonial Creek Campground.

Our campsite itself was not on the water. In fact it was a walk-in site in the woods which meant that although it was some work lugging gear into the woods once we were out there we did not have to see cars, trucks, campers, and motorcycles. Of course, as Theo would say, we could "hear them, not see them."

The site turned out perfect as the whole family was able to get plenty of exercise going to and from the car and the water pump that was halfway down the trail. We also were able to have a sense of being out purely in nature. All around us were a myriad of natural colors, greens and browns. We could see old growth Cedars and Douglas fir trees from all parts of our campsite. An activity I made up for the boys was finding pieces of bark on the ground and then having the boys find where it came from. Most of it came from a large downed cedar tree which was in various states of decomposition and was probably creating a large part of our actual site. Oh the wonderful feeling of being in an old forest: the land is a soft bed of living, and decomposing matter.

The boys were able to explore the various types of trees from the soft, silky, stringy bark of cedars to the deep furrowed hard bark of fir. Beneath these wondrous trees the boys played. Momma guided them in a first activity of using sticks and cones to make a bus. Later they needed no guidance. Pieces of wood became trains, logs were the parking place that the wood needed to pull into. Sounds of "whrrrr" were made as the boys drove materials too and fro. Sometimes they just scooped dirt and moved it their imagination purely their own. Hours could pass. I realize in retrospect that I probably did not need to bring any toys at all, although the the one toy I brought -Soft Smash paddles and balls -were a hit and were explored as baseball bats, scoop toys, fire fans, and just hit, run, chase toys. The first day it seemed like they gave the boys a sense of security as they started to explore- the soft padded paddles and balls were brought everywhere- only by day two and three were they mostly forgotten.

The trip could not have occurred without a willing, loving, and competent partner and poppa. Shawn was amazing. He hauled as I herded the boys along the trail to our campsite. He cooked as I changed diapers, hugged boys, and made sure the boys ate and did not bother the Coleman camp stove. Oatmeal, eggs, coffee and quesadillas for breakfast. Snacks during the day were hummus,peanut butter, cream cheese, whole wheat bread, crackers, apples, grapes. Dinners were spaghetti, macoroni and tuna, and a lovely dinner at the Institute. We had just the right amount of food: no hunger and no huge cravings although chocolate for desert would be fine with mom. Wine and beer for the adults. A half gallon of milk for the kiddos. One medium sized cooler. In terms of pans we had a mess kit of stainless steel pots kept from being too sticky with loads of butter.


...and now my boys are awake-- so I will continue when I get another quiet hour.

Smelling the flowers

My young boys' delight in the scents of plant life. The only trouble is that sometimes this can lead to mischief that is not so pleasant. For example yesterday Theo decided that not only was going to smell a leaf but he was going to ball it up real tight and stick it in his nose. Hours later we still could not get it out despite sneezes and a bit of a runny nose. A call to the nurse line for tips, instead led us to urgent care. The nurse said that you should let a doctor take out objects from your child's nose unless you can get them to blow it out.

My son is still sleeping, but I heard him talk in his sleep. "No take it out!" He is still trying to process this unfortunate event. I hope his love of smelling plants is not diminished. However, we will work on smelling technique.

The Outdoor Child Should be an ‘Indicator Species’ for London - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

The Outdoor Child Should be an ‘Indicator Species’ for London - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

This is article shows how you can measure the health of your community by paying attention to how many children under age 12 are playing outdoors in your community. It offers suggestions on how to monitor this and recommendations on who to work with in changing the current status quo. I don't know how much research like this is going on in my city, however I don't think enough. My own informal research says that I don't see kids just playing out of doors. I don't see that many kids biking past my house going to play with friends. I would love to see planning in my community use kids as a measure of success!

"Outside! Outside!"

"Outside! Go outside!" said Theo after he had his snack.

The words rang joyfully in grandpa's ears. He commented that going outside is "what we used to always do as kids but it seems these days more and more children would rather watch tv or play with toys inside."

I feel blessed that something our modern family has done has meant that the boys love to be outside. In fact most days I would guess that we spend more time outside than inside. Perhaps it is the blessing of having a small house. Or perhaps it is because we try to greet each day looking out the window or standing on the porch watching the sun come up and each night we scan the sky for the state of the moon.


In searching for how other families have raised kids who love the outdoors I found the Happytrails Family Nature Club that meets in various parks in the Twin Cities. The author has tips on how to connect kids with nature. I think he has done a great job of listing ways to encourage nature loving kids. One of the phrases that he uses and that I have often felt is that by spending time together out of doors and especially in natural settings you are "making memories."

Tree tunnel

I might not have thought to climb under this tree and play, but it was perfect for my little boys. Later I learned that the kids who wait for the bus near this tree play under it a lot too. Thank goodness that this tree is in a yard with friendly folks who don't use dangerous chemicals on their lawn and are open to allowing childhood to be truly a time of wonder.
I am thankful to all those people who let me climb and walk their walls, sneak through their yards in a shortcut to school, and jump on and off their snowbanks when I was a child.

Obama administration makes an MOU on environmental Justice.

I write about my boys' life experiences in an urban center and I try to focus on how we experience nature. My writing is part of my belief that we need to look out for the whole community. My reflections allow me to think of both privileges and disadvantages my children have living in the Southeast part of the city of Seattle. Environmental justice are powerful words that have always been a part of my ecological consciousness. I hope that the fact that the EPA and White house have decided to write a MOU with communities burdened with pollution means that something will be done. I promise to try to help hold them accountable by paying attention, speaking up, and pointing out areas of concern. I hope that all parents and environmentalists will do the same!

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika
Kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2011


Obama Administration Advances Efforts to Protect Health of U.S. Communities Overburdened by Pollution

Federal Agencies Sign Environmental Justice Memorandum of Understanding

WASHINGTON – Building on its commitment to ensuring strong protection from environmental and health hazards for all Americans, the Obama Administration today announced Federal agencies have agreed to develop environmental justice strategies to protect the health of people living in communities overburdened by pollution and provide the public with annual progress reports on their efforts. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder were joined by agency heads across the Administration in signing the “Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898” (EJ MOU).

"All too often, low-income, minority and Native Americans live in the shadows of our society's worst pollution, facing disproportionate health impacts and greater obstacles to economic growth in communities that can’t attract businesses and new jobs. Expanding the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice are some of my top priorities for the work of the EPA, and we're glad to have President Obama's leadership and the help of our federal partners in this important effort," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Every agency has a unique and important role to play in ensuring that all communities receive the health and environmental protections they deserve. Our broad collaboration will mean real progress for overburdened communities."

“All Americans deserve the opportunity to enjoy the health and economic benefits of a clean environment. Too many low-income and minority communities shoulder an unacceptable burden of pollution, affecting the health of American families and the economic potential of American communities, and the country as a whole,” said Sutley. "The Memorandum of Understanding helps integrate environmental justice into the missions of Federal agencies, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring America truly is a country of equal opportunity for all."

"Today's memorandum will reinforce the federal government’s commitment to the guiding principles of environmental justice - that the wealth, poverty, or race of any people should not determine the quality and health of the environment in which they live their lives,” said Holder. “These are important steps to ensure that environmental justice is an integral part of our work.”

"Today, we understand better than ever that our health is not just determined by what happens in the doctor’s office.  It is affected by where we live, work, go to school and play, by what we eat and drink, and by the air we breathe,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Katherine Sebelius. “HHS is committed to working with our partners across government to build healthy communities, especially in those areas burdened by environmental hazards."

“Every community deserves strong federal protection against pollution and other environmental hazards,” said U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “The Department of the Interior is committed to ensuring environmental justice for all populations in the United States – including American Indians, Alaska Natives and rural communities who may be among the most vulnerable to health risks.”

“This agreement is an important step in furthering the Administration’s commitment to ensuring healthy communities for all Americans – free from environmental and health hazards,” said U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The Department of Energy is aggressively investing in clean energy in order to improve the environment, strengthen the economy, save families money, and create the clean technology jobs of the future here at home.”

"No one should have to work in unhealthy or hazardous conditions," said U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis. "The Department of Labor is pleased to be part of this important initiative to ensure that vulnerable workers have access to information and can voice their concerns about their working environment."

"Like so many things, environmental justice starts in the home, where families spend most of their time," said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.  "Whether it's removing potentially dangerous lead-based paint from homes or helping to redevelop polluted brownfields, HUD is a critical part of the President's plan to protect the health of people living in environmentally challenged parts of our country."

Environmental justice means that all communities overburdened by pollution – particularly minority, low income and tribal communities – deserve the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, equal access to the Federal decision-making process, and a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

The signing of the EJ MOU is the latest in a series of steps the Obama Administration has taken to elevate the environmental justice conversation and address the inequities that may be present in some communities. Last September, Jackson and Sutley reconvened the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) for the first time in more than a decade. In December, at the White House Environmental Justice Forum, Cabinet Secretaries and other senior Administration officials met with more than 100 environmental justice leaders from across the country to engage advocates on issues that are affecting their communities, including  reducing air pollution, addressing health disparities, and capitalizing on emerging clean energy job opportunities. The EJ MOU reflects the dialogue, concerns and commitments made at the forum and other public events. Since her appointment, Jackson has also joined congressional leaders across the country to tour impacted communities and hear residents’ concerns.

The MOU advances agency responsibilities outlined in the 1994 Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” The Executive Order directs each of the named Federal agencies to make environmental justice part of its mission and to work with the other agencies on environmental justice issues as members of the EJ IWG. The EJ MOU broadens the reach of the EJ IWG to include participant agencies not originally named in Executive Order 12898 and adopts an EJ IWG charter, which provides the workgroup with more structure and direction. It also formalizes the environmental justice commitments that agencies have made over the past year, providing a roadmap for agencies to better coordinate their efforts. Specific areas of focus include considering the environmental justice impacts of climate adaptation and commercial transportation, and strengthening environmental justice efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The MOU also outlines processes and procedures to help overburdened communities more efficiently and effectively engage agencies as they make decisions.

The following agencies signed the EJ MOU: Environmental Protection Agency; White House Council on Environmental Quality; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Justice; Department of Agriculture; Department of Commerce; Department of Defense; Department of Education; Department of Energy; Department of Homeland Security; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Department of Interior; Department of Labor; Department of Transportation; Department of Veterans Affairs; General Services Administration; and Small Business Administration.

Read the EJ MOU: http://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/interagency/ej-mou-2011-08.pdf

More information on the EJ IWG: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/interagency/index.html


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Learning about balance

Biking Mama

Today's post is about an urban nature mama feeling great to be back on her bike. We have had a trailer since it was handed on to us when the boys were just a few months old. However, at that time none of us were ready to ride. Even as they were one and a half the trailer riding wasn't so fun for the boys, however, this summer the boys are two and a half years old. They are able to look out the window of the bike trailer and see the world and they actually enjoy riding.

Although I often write about the marvels of being slow, on occasion, the fact is that I just would like to pick up one thing at the market and I would really like it for dinner. A walk to the-mile away market-takes at least an hour, but on bike with the boys in tow I did a round trip under 30 minutes.

Plus bikes are just wonderful. The boys love all their bikes. They have a scooter, and a push trike and now they ride in the trailer. Each brings a smile and they even enjoy wearing their helmets.

I haven't taken the boys far- truthfully I only have taken them to locations about a mile away. But even a mile in Seattle is not an easy ride. Once I am out of the driveway I am committed. I either start going up or start going down meaning that I will have to go back up.

The best thing about having the bike out is that now I use it just for me, as well. Biking has been the way I have gotten around since I was a teenager. It gives me freedom from the automobile. The great thing about biking in the city is, that planned carefully, you can even mix its use with public transit if you get overly tired or you just want to avoid dangerous busy streets or too giant of hills.

Last night sans trailer I rode to a rally for education that was in solidarity with a march that took place in Washington DC. From beginning to end of my excursion it felt great to be on bike. I was able to take lightrail part of the way and then ride in the mostly car free downtown streets of Seattle (the roads were all blocked to set up for the Torchlight parade). As we left our rallying point and broke off in small groups I was able to walk my bike along the parade route handing out flyers to families with children. As much as I love my city it breaks my heart that our state of Washington is 48 in the nation in terms of class size and 49th in the nation on spending for education. Being out in the streets last night, connecting with families, made me feel like maybe we can turn things around. I hope so.

House for a Slug

"I love to hike," said cousin Zeno. "I really like going hiking by my grandma's house." His words were music to my ears and so I took our visiting cousin, his mom and our two boys to the nearby Seward Park and went on the inner trails. The in-the-woods trails that I love so dearly, but can feel a little isolating when it is just me and the boys.

A giant tree tunnel of a path.

Theo ran down the trail like he had just been set free, a bolting deer child running for the pure joy of it.

Zeno found sticks.

Sam found lots of leaves and measured his hands on the thimbleberry plant, which I had had the boys touch. It is soft and can be used for toilet paper in a pinch.

Finally, just about back to the car the boys found a slug. "Gooey" said Sam.
"Looking for a shell?" wondered Zeno. "Let's make it a house." And so the boys put sticks around it, put in a little stick - "a tv" said Zeno "and here is its couch."

Today, I wrote a letter to someone at the Parks Department who is in charge of developing new play areas. She once held a community meeting for input on a new park in our neighborhood. I have followed up with her on occasion to find out what is happening. Here is part of my latest letter to her:

......

I also wanted to just send some notes about great ways we enjoy the parks and what structures seem to get the most play.

This weekend my family had an opportunity to leave our neighborhood and visit two incredible parks: Magnuson Park in Sandpoint and Volunteer Park in the Central District. At Magnuson we heard music in the ampitheater and loved exploring the outdoor gardens and the children's garden as well as the traditional playstructure areas. At Volunteer Park the kids played on the traditional play area as well as the wading pool and picnicked under beautiful old trees. Wow. These are gems of parks.

Here are my observations of what made these parks magical.

What made these parks spectacular was the amount of open space, quiet skies and freedom from vehicular traffic.

Natural play areas for exploration!

Trees. Please incorporate them into planning play areas. Shade makes it so much easier for families to hang out without lathering on sunscreen.

Slides that go....Also noted slides that go all the way to the ground or very low off the ground seem much safer. The kids loved the natural playscape step slide at Volunteer park.

Swings, both the chair and harness type, for infants and children with special needs.

Natural climbing places: low walls, log balance beams, sculptures that are fun to climb over and under such as at Volunteer Park

Pagodas, that offer shade, seating (benches), and places for imaginary play.

Imaginary play places such as the bus station at Magnuson.

Sand play areas with natural features rocks, trees.

Picnic tables /grassy sitting areas near the play areas.

...........

Learning Directions

The other day my husband returned from an errand and told me that Theo knows exactly how to walk from our house to the bakery three blocks away. We had needed a loaf of bread and while Sam stayed at home with me. Theo led the way. Dad followed. They both came home happily swinging a fresh loaf of rye and filled with tales of community.

As the boys and I spend our days, we usually have destinations and journeys. They blend into one another. Just as Theo and his dad went to get bread, the walk was just as important as the food. Likewise when I say "lets go to music class." The boys know that therefore we will be walking to the train, riding the train, attending class, and then meandering to lunch by way of the Cesar Chavez Learning Garden, train, walk, and possibly past a park. Each part of the journey is our adventure and although we may learn a new song from music class that is far from our only new knowledge. We may also learn why some big old trees were cut down along the edge of our park and we may watch new football posts be erected as we did yesterday.

In Louv's book The Nature Principle one chapter begins with the quote "You can't know who you are until you know where you are." by Wendell Berry.

From a young age I remember hearing the old adage, "it is not the destination, but the journey" that is important. Yet so often as we rush from one place to another we are inherently saying it is the destination that is important. In my heart I have always felt knowing the route from one place to another is important as well. For that reason when I was in college and beginning a semester study in Mexico I decided to take the bus from Minnesota to the program's starting place in Tuscon, AZ. It may be for that reason the program actually had us find our own way- in small groups- from Tuscon, AZ to Mexico City. This travel by bus, by train, and for some by hitchhiking, was a way for us all to get a chance to truly see the diversity of land and lifestyles. This trip was when I felt like I started to really come into my own being. I developed confidence and a lifelong love of traveling by land.

Going by land seeing the people and sights along the way makes you feel connected.
By walking I hope that my boys truly understand their community and themselves and that they are thoughtful as they choose their journeys and destinations.

Wonders of City Life

On occasion it is easy to think that country life would be so much better for children growing up, but I can't help thinking that one if we lived in the country the boys would drive in cars for almost every activity unless we lived in a very special area that worked for family biking. Hence, in the city our car sits for weeks at a time. Errands and outings are run talking and walking with neighbors. Yesterday was a classic example. We packed our stroller with a picnic lunch and headed to the "tunnel slide park" a mile away from our home.

At the park we ran into two different families with twins, one age 19 months and the other 4 years old. We ran into another mother and her son who we met when we applied for the cooperative. They did get in, off the waiting list, so this mom is always very encouraging. In talking with her I found out that we have a lot in common. The mother ha a teacher and a principal now raising her child full time just as I am: a new connection, a colleague, a new friend.

After the park the boys and I walked another couple of blocks for milk and as the boys sat outside eating their free piece of fruit we ran into a neighbor and his children. We often walk past one another, but on this occasion his daughter was also wanting to sit down for a snack and we conversed and found common ground. Most exciting to me is that I found out that his family has gone to the Family Camps at the Olympic Park Institute and he said they are fabulous! I have been thinking about attending with the boys, but he recommended that it might be best when the boys are three and can do some of their own activities. We would have walked home together, but as Theo reminded me we needed to pick up dad's shirts from the cleaners. It's amazing that a two year old can remember such details!

Finally we made the rest of the walk home, slowly...errands done, friendships made, and plenty of fresh air and exercise for all.

Crossing logs

We took a trip to the source of the Marin County Watershed on a recent trip to California. It was a beautiful and peaceful place a short hike from a lake filled with dragonflies, newts, and other weekend explorers.

In this picture the boys found a few logs across a shallow body of water to cross over, back and forth. They enjoyed the challenge and the accomplishment and it was one of the activities that I deemed safe. Ironically this peaceful location caused me a lot of stress as there was quite a lot of poison oak around. How was I to let the boys love the wildness when I kept saying "not there?"

These logs were one contained area that I felt the boys were safe. I realize that in Seattle we are quite lucky that most of the places we go are free of plant dangers, even nettles only sting for a short while. Working with toddlers it is on the parents to make sure the environment is safe. As kids get a bit older they can learn to read the plant life for themselves. Stories are a wonderful way to teach about plants. For example nettles come in two pairs of leaves, with serrated edges-jaws to bite, and leaves in a teardrop shape because they may sting and bring tears to your eyes. Of course, nettles too can be eaten, as long as you crush the spines properly. A complimentary plant to know is the sword fern whose spores have been known to soothe the pain of nettles as well as banana slugs' slime which will numb it.

Reflections on the Long Weekend and Parenting in General

Being a parent makes you slow down. You really can’t get to even a quarter of the things you might think are important, but you can live in “child time.” Child time is slow. It means on a walk home from the market you may watch your children sit under a tree for ten minutes eating pears, then skip fast downhill for a block trying to keep up with your toddlers’ amazing agility, and then slowly stopping and going for the next 20 minutes down that final block before getting home. Child time is a gift that kids give their parents and parents can either choose to fight it or relish it.

My husband and I have decided that these precious years with our young ones we are going to focus on what is most important to us: The boys growing up. The boys exploring their world. The boys getting to know our close friends, family, and community. This means we skip any unnecessary trips to the mall (actually almost all trips that involve driving), choose carefully among the community meetings we wish to attend, and focus our volunteering and personal studies. We prioritize: eating, playing, sleeping, singing, laughing, socializing, being outdoors and supporting community

This past Fourth of July Weekend fit our agenda perfectly:
Friday: was cooking and eating outside with a friend and then attending our neighborhood Beatwalk, which is seeing music at various venues in the community and supporting local businesses
Saturday was for helping friends and then being treated to wonderful home cooked Ethiopian food and amazing joy
Sunday was for lounging, “flying bikes”, and camping out in the back yard
Monday was for continuing to camp by watching the sun rise and then set again: eating meals outside, drinking morning coffee listening to the birds and reading books with Sam as brother and dad continued to sleep in the tent and then splashing, laughing, jumping around and in and out of the wading pool during the last rays of the day.

Our families’ path, our families’ joys, and travails are rooted in our values, our time in history and region. This blog is for my children to know where they came from: what beliefs informed their upbringing. It is also is for me to reflect on my parenting and the path our family is following. Perhaps it will inspire others to try something new- just as we are inspired by all those around us. Our path is riddled with mistakes, but mistakes are where learning comes from. Our path is filled with moments that make a life. For our family no journey can be as grand as watching your youngsters grow. Our goal is to make life’s passages as healthy and inspiring as possible while dancing in an urban nature landscape.

Carrying Water

Most parts of the world people need to carry water. We are blessed to have water running into our home. On hot days it is easy to want to fill the kiddy pool or play with the hose for hours on end. However, in trying to figure out other ways, more conservation oriented ways, to cool off and have fun I decided to give the boys each a pan and a measuring cup. The first challenge was to carry the pan of water to our bench 25 ft away from the house. A slosh here and a slosh there: refreshing.

The boys then had a lot of fun adding items to their bowls- green plums and sticks. Then, they started to carry their measuring cups around the bench and over by mother as though they were delivering tea. So much fun. I can imagine changing this activity to be more of a challenge - carrying water from one pot to the other in a measuring cup, races, ....but luckily the boys don't need mom inventing things fro them rather they continue to make their own discoveries- so much wiser than me.

Urban camping

While many people venture out of town over the Fourth of July we stayed around to spend time with friends and to practice and prepare for camping. We inherited a tent from some friends and I have learned it is always s good idea to practice setting up any tent- as well as inspect it for all pieces and possibly re- waterproof.
Also, camping with kids for the first time requires some time for free exploration by the kids. Yesterday the boys spent quite a lot of time going in and out if the tent, zipping and unzipping the tent, playing "tunnel" in the sleeping bags and blankets.
Finally, by dark ( which is a bit late for two year olds) the boys were ready to sleep despite the loud city noises of firecrackers and were those gunshots? Sirens and neighbors voices.
The boys slept well even though I learned that the city doesn't get quiet by night but rather the everyday roar turns into a few distinct loud sounds: motorcycles revving, trains roaring, and airplanes ( huge and low) taking off.

Yard Greens Salad

When I began this blog I thought it was going to be harder to have nature experiences rather than urban experiences. However, as grandpa found out my boys find nature in almost every activity we do and sometimes it can make for slow going. A walk to or from the light rail, only a mere six blocks, can take an hour: So many sticks to tap. Maple seed pods to put in your hair. Flowers and plants to smell. The mile walk from the grocery, well dinner just might be late.

Our backyard also has become a place where the boys can hang out for hours upon hours. Yesterday they made a "salad" out of grasses, leaves, and a few of the pea plant flowers. They found a "tunnel" to play in under the boughs of the plum tree. They go in and out a "door" made of branches. And now at almost 28 months of age they are really beginning to play with one another which has added even more endurance to the outside play. How can you stop playing when your brother offers you "dinner" and you are expected to snack on it?

Books in the Park

Today we took a walk to the library. It is the summer reading program and the boys had "read" ten books each. They were ready to choose their free book and get their name added to the reading wall. The librarian was fabulous and made the ordeal every bit as exciting as it should be. Stickers for the chart-" make sure you get them on there," he said. Theo went to it right away. Sam held on to his. Then the librarian had the boys watch him hang their names on the wall and said, "keep filling in reading logs and you can get a star for your tag and an entry for the free breakfast raffle." Then he said take your time as you choose your book. Both Sam and Theo agreed on the same book- a silly book called Tubby...all about bathtime. Luckily, there were two of them.

In anycase, after collecting our free books and then a few additional library books we headed to the park right outside the library to read. We had just settled in to a bench in the shade when a couple of young boys came out to play. This park is fabulous because it borders on quite a few apartments. One of the boys I remembered from last year. He came over and asked if the boys were twins and I said yes. He said, "wow that's great that means they are 0 months apart in age. My brother and I are 13 months apart." I asked him how old he is and he said 7. Then he played a bit of "two square" with his brother using a basketball. A bit later as his brother ran in the house for a football and he asked if he could read to the boys. I said, "sure" and he sat down right in between them and read. Saying," I am a good reader." The boys agreed.

The boys enjoyed their new friend. And we told him about the summer reading program. He asked if you need to have a library card to do it and I said no. It makes me sad that he might not have a library card, but I said you just have to read ten books and you can get a free book. You can probably read them right there in the library if you can get an adult to let you go there.

Here is the amazing thing. Right outside our doors people have access to so many things and yet they don't even go there. It is wonderful that these children today were actually allowed to play outside, in a park no less. Many kids don't even have that access. But, that freedom seems to stop. In this young boy's world it seemed to stop even before the door of the library. How do we change that? Make libraries and the natural world open to all?

Library activities out doors? Ahhh....if we could only find a way to fund that. Currently, I don't even think I can go to the library tomorrow as it will be closed. No funding.

Keeping a Sense of Wonder

I am currently reading A Natural Sense of Wonder [Connecting Kids with Nature through the Seasons] by Rick Van Noy. He is a professor of literature who also desires that his children experience nature. The book is like finding community because he too must make an effort to actually get his kids off the typical track of car rides, green lawns, too safe of playgrounds and away from screen time. One way his family does this is by taking "outings." Sometimes these are afternoon explorations at a local pond, day trips to a nearby hiking trail, and weekend camps.

Currently I am reading a chapter where he is with his family at the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally looking for salamanders. He not only describes his families' finds but the care with which they must take to protect the salamanders. He describes their important role in the ecosystem-- by eating insects they keep down insects. If the insects are left to eat all the bacteria and nutrients the trees don't thrive and the forest begins to die. It is the connections that his family makes that will allow his children to thrive: in school and in the world. He relates how a respected herpetologist Dr. James Organ relates to him, that "The best scientists are the ones who never quite grew up. They retain a sense of wonder about them."

Wonder is the thread that keeps Van Noy's book going. In his prologue he cites, Rachel Carson as he shares her hope that children be given "a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength." Wonder.

And so now I wonder: What is Wonder? I think of how long it can take two little boys to walk a few simple blocks. It is what I see in their discoveries: picking up a handful of maple seeds, finding a stick and then a collection of sticks, smelling a plant then getting dazed by watching a bee. Wonder. It cannot be rushed. It does not follow a straight line. It involves getting dirty. It deserves to be protected.

Tree poetry

A walk can refresh the spirit. You can notice small wonders a flower's scent, a new bloom, or even an interesting root in the sidewalk and then somehow feel calmer. Today I was refreshed by finding a tree poem. Even though the intersection was a bit loud with rush hour traffic our family stopped to enjoy this poem posted by a neighbor. How refreshing!

Neighborhood Trees and Stumps

We always stop to say hello to our favorite trees. The third largest blackwalnut tree in the state is on our walk to the grocery store. We pass several willows and some cedars. We even stop and say hello to our favorite stumps.

Our family cares about trees. When the boys were just a few months old we tried to save some trees from coming down in our historic neighborhood. First by actually doing an action when we thought the cutting was illegal. Then attending the Historic Neighborhood Review Boards meeting. In the end the trees were cut down.

Here is a picture of another stump in our neighborhood. This tree came down after the new owners bought the house. I sure hope they had a good reason to cut it. It was such a marvelous tree. At least the boys try to make use of it. This truly is "The Giving Tree."

A recent community walk occurred to view trees. However our family got the date wrong so we missed it. Nevertheless we learned of a great resource about trees in Seattle. Here you can find canopy connections.

Running down hills

So many things to write about: life informs and books inspire. The boys are growing so quickly. They are branching out and exploring their world. Most recently Theo has taken to running down hills. "Theo run hill" says my boy. His arms fly up and down. His hair bounces behind him. He has astonishing speed. But, he only has fallen a few times and overall this has not stopped him from finding pure joy in running down the hills around our house. I worry about his knees. Running on cement may seem light to him, but I know the long-term impacts. Yet, I don't want to stop him. He is so joyful. I wonder if I can find a good grassy place for him to run?

Richard Louv talks about the lack of access to natural spaces in his book The Last Child in the Woods. He identifies lack of open places and a lack of time combined with a boom of organized activities and sports all reasons for the growing childhood obesity epidemic. These days keeping children inside or putting children in cars and hauling them off to an activity is often the easiest and more convenient, but it doesn't give them the time for open exploration and exercise.

In contrast to a life of commuting a toddler around town having a toddler running down a city street basically means that the parent must do the same. Even though my boys stop at each driveway, their instinct is to say, "no cars" as they continue running on their way. This means that I need to be ever alert. It is all engaging and challenging. Also by not just getting in a car we spend way too much time near all those other people who drive their automobiles and trucks up and down our street. The air can sometimes give me a headache. I worry about the impact on my boys health. The fact that a park is only one mile and a half a way seems like a huge hurdle.

My hope is that somehow more people will choose to live life in our communities and walk our neighborhoods and ride our mass transit. I am not sure when that tipping point will be, however, I can only encourage anyone who cares about our communities and our general health to help create more green spaces and less traffic and to voice the need for convenient mass transit options.

A Quiet Spider in her Web

Today Theo was helping me water the garden when we made a discovery. We sprayed mist onto a spider's web. It reminds me of doing spider web hikes with my campers. We would carry a spray bottle with us on hikes and we could make the webs sparkle. There are so many bad associations with spiders that it is fun to make joyous connections with them. It's a nice way to introduce lessons on the wonders of their ways.

An orchard for a dome

I love this poem by Emily Dickinson.
http://www.bartleby.com/113/2057.html

Rolling, Crawling, Running

The afternoon was spent in the yard, mom and dad pulling weeds. The boys pulling leaves. Momma saying, "not that one!...stop, oh poor tree."

I remember this problem of plant terror from when I was leading teenage campers on nature trail restoration projects. On occasion my group would be assigned to trail clearing. This mean using clippers and saws to clear away vegetation all for the larger purpose of building a trail that would them be used by hundreds of people enjoying the forest. And yet as the crew would begin their work I would often note the enthusiasm with which they would go about their work. Relishing the destruction. Each whack at a branch would cause me to wince. How am I teaching these young people to love nature I would wonder?

Now I wonder, how strange it must seem to the boys that I attack some plant life with such disgust and others with such care. For them it must be hard to tell the difference between rampant morning and the spindly jasmine plant the neighbor is trying to grow on the fence between our houses. Or why is it that we can collect pine cones, but not pull growth buds off the Shore Pine?

My philosophy has been to have the kids invested in planting and that way they recognize the plants to spare...and yet what about all the existing plants? How do I get them to value those? Currently, I think it just takes time, learning to fall in love with each individual plants qualities: their shape,color, scent. I hope also that watching mom and dad take care of the plants by giving them compost and water and checking the soil and their leaves for healthy signs of insect life inspire them to see that there is an art to allowing some plants to live and others to perish. Finally,I hope that by giving the boys a chance to make mistakes that in the end the plants will be tougher than the boys.

Being Where You Are

I just read the next chapter title in Richard Louv's Book. It is called "The Incredible Experience of Being Where You Are." I like this title and as I have tried to live by it....and found that you do not get bored if you explore your own place meaningfully and deeply. When I moved to Seattle in 1994 I thought that it would be for only a few months. I thought I would be able to experience Washington and be done with it.

It has been almost 20 years and I am still finding things to explore. In fact, I used to explore the whole state and would travel places almost every weekend. Then I started to do more localized exploration, mostly by bike, in just Seattle proper. Now with two year old boys we explore areas within a few mile radius and I find there is still so much to explore.

For my boys there is a patch of sidewalk, bumpy from roots and years of weathering and erosion, that they love to run back and forth across. There are trees that we visit every time we walk to get groceries. We run our fingers over the leaves, rest our eyes on the greenery or touch the white bark. Some days even our backyard has enough to stimulate us for hours and hours. It is me, mom, that needs to a bit more zen to not even leave our yard. I need to let go of the need to go someplace and instead to cherish the disturbed, but in the process of being replanted yard. In the past years, I have slowly been adding in native plants and trees. We are building garden boxes, cultivating perennials. It is not that big of a yard. But, the other night at the table we went over the trees in our yard and at last count we have over 23 trees. No wonder their can be so much exploration.

Getting Outside: Clearing the Mind

The boys awoke this morning. Sam says "sun." The rain has come back and he is not so happy about it. I am not afraid to take the boys in the rain and I note that we need to do something fun in the rain, but it is only 6 in the morning. The boys slept through dinner last night and we all need a good breakfast. But, the rain and perhaps the long night has put the boys in a crabby mood. Theo says, "mine" to each toy that S wants to play with. Instead of hugs there are head bonks and grabs. Finally after a bit of food and some fresh clothes I let the boys play on the porch. Fresh air is not enough. They want to roam. So we roam. Mostly by stroller this early morning as I am still too tired to be fully alert to every driveway at this hour.

As the blocks collect between ourselves and our house; I realize we all calm down. T doesn't seem so contrary. S is content. I let the boys out to walk near an especially pretty boulevard where I have spotted mint and irises. The boys use their senses: of touch, smell and sight. We hear a crow and T says, "loud."

I have just begun to read The Nature Principle by Richard Louv. Its subtitle is Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder. After hearing speak a couple weeks ago I realized I was inspired to read his second book. I have heard some one critique the science in his research, but I think that even he would admit that the "nature factor" is sometimes hard to prove, yet the number people who find benefits and restoration by being in or even exposed to nature is undeniable and outstanding. What stands out in my mind today is that: Studies show that people who spend time in nature seem calmer and more clear headed.

Watching how my boys, and my own attitude changes in a single walk. I believe that the nature factor is huge. Outside whining stops. Feet run and play. There are no shortages of rocks and leaves and fresh air.

Urban Connections

Today as the boys and I made a trip to the local bakery we stopped to watch a "big truck" unload. I call it a "big truck" because that is what the boys call out with glee each time they see a big truck. In any case, this truck was parked and the ramp was down. A man was using a pushcart to unload boxes of canned Italian tomatoes. We watched him as he carefully brought one cart and then another down the ramp. We watched how he then pushed both carts into the restaurant. The boys were fascinated and peered in the window as the delivery was taken.

Perhaps it was in preparation for this experience that I awoke this morning wishing that we had a working farm to go visit. I was thinking that somehow I would like the boys to be even more connected to where there food comes from. Yet sometimes its difficult to see whether that is just my need. My boys are learning each day. It doesn't have to happen all at one time- I try to tell myself. And where does our food come from? In some cases Italy- we wouldn't be able to make that understanding by a visit to just a local farm.

We returned home to play in our yard. I noticed the boys stopping and smelling leaves as we made our way back to the house. Then, in our yard they wanted to water the garden, feed the neighbors chickens, and play on a old stump. I had to drag them in for lunch, coaxing them with a lunchtime favorite- box of macaroni and cheese. They are fascinated with stirring the orange powder and milk as we wait for the noodles. Perhaps, trucks and boxes of food should be for delight now- at age 2. But, as they grow I hope that they will be able to think critically about each carton unloaded to our homes and businesses and someday realize that this oil based way of eating is not be sustainable or even the best for our communities.

Summer has arrived

It's a perfect day to be a kid (or their mom) when you can plant basil and tomato plants, water trees and shrubs. Play. Picnic outdoors for three meals. Play. Lounge in a hammock. Bike for ice cream. Play more. Hopefully... sleep sound.

The World of Bikes

The other day my husband and I pushed our boys on their Radio Flyer Bikes up to the local Coop Grocery Store. The boys call these their "blue bikes" and they smile big when they get to ride them. Not being quite large enough to fully reach the pedals means they are dependent on mom or dad or someone to push them, but they don't seem to mind. They sit on their bikes like they are low riders, chilling out and watching the world.
These days parents have it easy, pushing their children, since the bikes now come with push handles. On fancier bikes I hear that their is even an override so the adult is fully in charge of steering, however in our case the boys steer. Usually this is just fine & on the rare occasion I need to I can overpower wild steers.

In anycase, the world of bikes is mostly friendly and I just wish we would see even more. It was great to have to get over to the edge of the sidewalk to let two young bikers and their father pass on the sidewalk. There was time for a quick hello, an exchange of compliments on bikes, and a smile. It made me realize that this experience is still just too rare, but maybe that is changing.

When we made it to the market, the bike racks had room for both the boys bikes, but when we came out two college aged boys seemed to be waiting for our spot. Nonetheless, our exchange with the young men was pleasant and our boys rang their bells to express their greeting. This experience in a car would probably have been stressful, but on bike was full of cheer.

First the boys noticed this trees seed pods, then they smelled it, then they just played!

Last night I went to hear Richard Louv famous for his last book about Nature Deficit Disorder. He has out a new book, The Nature Principal. I have not yet read it, but he shared some of the ideas from it. Mainly, that we need to find ways to connect with nature. Since now the majority of the people in the world live in urban areas our experiences with nature worldwide are different.

How do we as a city dwelling family experience nature, treasure it and as he suggests how do we actively build it?

In our family it starts with love of all life. Ironically, this means that last night as mom said "goodnight moon, goodnight trees" my boy T added "goodnight car, goodnight blue car."

For my boys the reason for our walk yesterday that ended with them playing for ten minutes in someones willow tree was that we had gone to the market and were "following" the compost, garbage and recycling trucks.

Sledding in Seattle

This time of the year it can look like it is snowing even though it is really just the petals blowing off the trees. Luckily my little ones seem unphased by the lack of actual snow. They will slide down a grassy moss covered hill on bare bottom. Sometime the method is more of a scoot. Other times it ends up in a roll. It always brings smiles and a desire to do it again.

Enjoying Public Spaces and Art

Budget cuts are looming in our city. I fear that money for parks will be hard to find in the next years; in part because many of our smallest parks seem underutilized.

Perhaps some of the parks are just as a marker: In commemoration of a tree or public art. Others serve as buffers between busy roads and the community; like this one we visited at the Columbia City Light Rail Station.
This park also serves the purpose of bike storage area and a waiting area and is adorned with Lion Sculptures.

It is not until you actually find a reason to hang out in the park that you are truly thankful for it. Yesterday the boys and I ended up at the Light Rail Station to meet up with grandma. We had about a twenty minute wait in cool weather and this park was a perfect place to run around and play as well as appreciate the lions. Here we were only 15 feet off a busy road, but had a safe place. We ran circles around the lions. The boys stared up at them in awe. We played I spy (a ball). We took out the magical bubbles from momma's pockets and blew them all around. The boys tried to catch them and we enjoyed watching them decorate the air. We even had the opportunity to sing, "The train is a coming oh yeah!"

We are thankful that at some point this public park, or commons, was created. Hopefully, even in the glummest of economies our city will plan for the future and not sell off our public lands and schools, but keep them protected for future days.

Notes for Traveling by Bus to the Park

When you travel by bus to the park you are committed. If something happens you can not flee to your car and own surroundings at a moments notice. You have to think as though you are in the wild. Although there may be many people around you they may not be able to help you with your toddler's specific needs. Therefore; here is a list of things to bring.

Backpack, so that you can wear it as you load boys and stroller on and off the bus.
Diapers, wipes (these can be used for cleaning hands as well)
a small towel (if you may be the first ones at a dew covered playground-)
plenty of food and drink (a waterbottle! works great for cleaning hands, wounds, and quentching thirst).
Extra clothing for each child. (This could be used as another layer or for a change of clothes- don't forget SHIRT, PANTS, SOCKS and even SHOES)
a small toy or book for quiet time or a missed bus
Change to pay the bus fare
Hats for sun
Sunscreen if you choose to use it. Some places require bugscreen as well.
A small first aid kit

Also, remember to dress yourself in comfortable clothes and shoes. You never know when you may have to walk a ways either carrying a child or pushing a stroller home on a long walk after missing a bus.

Today we had left the house only partially prepared. The sunshine made any dangers seem far away. We missed disaster by a wee bit. Thanks to the incredible May sunshine and layers. Today we stopped by the lakeshore to look for ducks. But, one thing leads to another and soon the boys were playing with sand and throwing sticks. Toes were very close to getting soaked, but their shoes seemed to repel the water. However, it was the slippery log that S scrambled over that led to him falling on his bottom and getting his pants wet. I went into immediate thinking like a first aid wilderness responder; analyzing the situation and trying to decide if the conditions were such that S would get hypothermia. We had only been at the park 20 minutes. We had not made it to the playground or the forest and I wasn't even sure when the bus would come. Luckily, S seemed unphased by the wet pants. We played in the sun for a bit and then took off his pants and let them dry on a rock as he got swaddled up in his monther's sweatshirt. Lucky for us the pants were lined and not soaked through. They dried enough in 20 minutes time that we were able to play and even swing some more before catching the bus home.

I don't take wet clothes lightly- as hypothermia can strike even on relatively warm days. I also want to make sure that we form positive memories about nature as often as possible so I try to alleviate discomfort. Hopefully, next time I will make sure that my bag is packed correctly.

A May Day collection of sticks, rocks and seeds

Yesterday was May Day. It entered in brilliance with the sun shining, flowers blossoming, and only a gentle breeze that every now and then sent flower petals falling from the trees glimmering white and pink spring showers.

Living in a city you get to experience the many ways that people celebrate one of the first lovely days of spring. Some celebrate in the tradition of festive feasts, as our neighbors did with a lovely outdoor table set with white linens, tulips and fresh bread that seemed to invite friends as well as summer. Meanwhile other neighbor children ran around with squirt guns playing chase around their house, while up and down the street people were doing yard work and gardening for hours on end with smiles.

Our family chose to celebrate the day with friends in luxurious leisure -playing disc golf in the morning dew, drinking coffee and sipping sodas in the sunny afternoon, and picking dandelions, playing with seeds, sticks and rocks as well as rocking in the hammock as the day dwindled into night.

Welcome May!

Unpacking Produce as a Way to Connect with the Earth

Since our children were around 9 months old they have been helping me unpack our Community Supported Agriculture box of fruits and vegetables each Wednesday. It is a highlight of my week seeing my boys unpacking the fresh produce.

The ritual begins when we look out the window and see the box of food waiting for us on our doorstep. At this point they may believe the food comes from a truck or a box, but somehow I think they are also getting a connection to nature by this time spent touching and identifying produce. I have always hoped it will help my children understand their food. I try to also give the food context by taking them to community gardens as often as possible and this spring we are also growing our own vegetables.

As we the boys unpack the boys also help me sort them by fruit and vegetables. We often test food as soon as they are curious about something. Yesterday they were excited to try the peas. In the morning they tried but didn't like the fresh peas eaten pod and all. However at night, after we had peas in our curry, the boys were excited to eat the little peas fresh out of their pod.

The boys also help me prepare vegetables. They pull the cilantro leaves off the stem. They break off little broccoli trees. They love to use the salad spinner and they each have a vegetable scrub brush as well.

The current reality is that my boys will try lots of foods, but they don't love vegetables yet. I don't force anything on them as I read that sometimes it takes 20 times to develop a taste for a new food. I do hope they find enjoyment in the preparation of food and that as they grow older they understand from where their food comes.