Growing up Urban Wild

Spring came this week with blustery winds and chill temperatures. Nonetheless our family has had plenty of outdoor time with neighborhood walks and spring planting in the garden. Today, however, the sun shone brightly and although temperatures were only in the low 50's we played outside.

For reflection I am going to document what the boys did:

With frost still on the ground we went outside and filled the bird feeders.
After breakfast the boys traveled by stroller to the light rail and on the return trip we went to the park. The boys discovered the twirly slide. Smiles were wide and S said, "I did it!" with pride after making it down. It's been many months since we have been to the neighborhood park. When our Spanish speaking three year old friend joined us, you could hear "rapido!" as they zipped down the slide. T rode the yellow dump truck and learned how moving back and forth you could make it go. Then it was a long walk home. The boys both rode in the stroller and walked. We had to stop by the landscaped yard with the rosemary - ooh, the boys just wanted to smell it. This was in the same yard where yesterday the landscaper had stopped to talk to the boys and had handed them a bit of "thundering plum" branch- with its pink flowers and reddish leaves. Now the boys find this tree all over.

After dinner they played with the neighbor boys who ran over to our yard as soon as they saw the boys emerge. The plans that had inspired the boys to go outside were pushed aside as the boys learned to negotiate sharing with their neighbors.

As the sun set the boys rode their balance bikes. S was with me and stopped and asked to touch the in places smooth and other places rough Pacific Madrone tree bark.

It was a day of well spent energy. The question I am pondering is how much of this was unstructured play and how much was structured? At the park the boys and their friend just ran. In the backyard with their real metal tools I helped mediate. What is the right balance between just free for all with other kids and learning to play with intent at the tender age of three?

Two wheel bikes

It seems like yesterday that the boys were riding "push" bikes that an adult had to push in order to make them go. Now the boys have moved to balance bikes.

In March you must seize the sun breaks and get out when you can. Here we have found a lovely green space to ride in. I'm not sure that it is the best to encourage riding on trails, but at this point the boys are quite within my sight. They also at safe here- unlike urban streets with so many cars pulling in and out. Finally, we didn't even see anyone else on the path so it makes sense that at least we are using it!

Suburban Nature

For the past three years I have taken my boys on explorations of nearby urban nature within the city limit. I have thought that since I am committed to making our urban areas healthy and livable I might as well not venture to the nearby suburban nature. However, it is always good to get out of your own zone and see how other communities do things. Six miles away I found this pristine beach with my boys. We found exactly two pieces of litter, the rest of the area was beach and rocks shells, and sticks. How does this suburb do it? How can we make Seattle beaches as pristine? This was the first time I did not have to hover over my kids and make sure that they didn't touch glass or garbage as they picked up stones to toss. We had a beautiful time! The boys threw things into the water- learning about which things float (sticks) and which sink (rocks). They watches ducks. They climbed on logs. They explored freely.Soaking nature into their bodies. Returning to the city refreshed.

Hiking in late winter

The buds are just about to open and on occasion we found a few early leaves- mostly on the Indian plum trees which are starting to pop bright green into the world. We saw raccoons balled up in the branches of the trees. T and S showed that even when it's cold and bit wet the woods invite adventure. Here they are balancing on the roots of a tree.

All you need is a mud pit and some tools

Urban Campfire in February

Beautiful days in February call to be noticed. It was a blessing that our neighbors thought a good way to keep out of doors even while the sun set was to make a fire. The kids roasted hot dogs. The adults sipped warm drinks. We all sang songs and played on the neighbors' makeshift teeter totter ( a board resting over a log), also a makeshift bench.

Invitation to Play

Snow is amazing in that it invites exploration. The first day it snowed T just marched in circles stomping his feet and smiling while the neighbor boy did basically the same, occasionally picking some snow up and throwing it, brushing a tree, shouting out with glee. Sledding downhill got even the slightly timid of snow S to smile hugely. My boys and the neighbor played and played. Then we worked on building snowmen. At almost age 3, Frosty the Snowman has been an important seasonal song and story in our house. The boys were thrilled to build snowmen even though they did notice and comment later that they didn't come alive and play.

A neighbor who was walking by saw my children sledding with their dad and I and said that these will be great memories. I said I wasn't sure if my children will remember the snow. She said, surely they will remember the joy and each time it snows they will be happy. I thought that was a beautiful statement.

It made me appreciate my own comfort and love of snow. It makes it easy to present snow as something wonderful for my own children. However, this reflection also made me wonder how could I inspire some of our friends who may not be so comfortable in snow to get outside with their kids. Today, I followed through on this challenge and knocked on a neighbors' door with an invitation to play. Their child is scared of the snow they said. I think we often fear those things that we have not experienced. In this case both the parents and the child are new to snow. I will knock again, bearing extra warm clothes.