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!