We’re on the final step of creating our backyard wildlife habitat! For those of you who don’t already know, we’re following the guidelines provided by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in their Certified Wildlife Habitat program. So far, we have completed the following steps: Provide food Supply water Create cover The final step is toContinue reading “Creating our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Four, Homes for Wildlife”
Category Archives: Travel
Rainy Day at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Any trip we take to the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley also includes a visit to the Lawrence Hall of Science. My four-year-old loves this science museum, and we can’t even think about visiting the area without stopping in for an hour or two. If you saw my post from yesterday, you know our planContinue reading “Rainy Day at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley”
Explore the Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Our planned visit today to the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley wasn’t meant to be. Today was free day, and, as a result, there was absolutely no parking. We waited and waited for a spot to open up, but no-one was coming out of the gardens to leave, even though it was raining pretty heavilyContinue reading “Explore the Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley”
Creating our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Three, Create Cover
Today was day three of working towards making our backyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat, per the guidelines provided by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). So far, we’ve completed step 1 (provide food) and step two (supply water). Our focus today? Create cover for wildlife. This step in the certification process requires that a backyardContinue reading “Creating our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Three, Create Cover”
More Scooter Fun at the Skate Park, Emerald Glen, Dublin
My son is now obsessed with riding his scooter at skate parks. He asks to go every day! And it’s a super easy park activity… as long as the park has the facilities. This morning, to burn some energy, have fun, and enjoy the sunshine, we headed to Dublin’s Emerald Glen Park, which has aContinue reading “More Scooter Fun at the Skate Park, Emerald Glen, Dublin”
Creating Our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Two, Supply Water
For those of you who are following us, you know that yesterday my son and I started to create a wildlife habitat in our backyard, following the guidelines set by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Yesterday our focus was on providing food sources for wildlife. Today, we worked on step two… supply water for wildlife.Continue reading “Creating Our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Two, Supply Water”
Creating Our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step One, Provide Food
Today my son and I began working towards making our backyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat, per the guidelines provided by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). I figured it would be best for my four-year-old if we only focus on one aspect of certification at at a time. Our focus today? Step one: Provide FoodContinue reading “Creating Our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step One, Provide Food”
Attract Wildlife to Your Home – Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
After struggling with what to do with our little backyard for the last several years, I think I’ve finally found a solution. The main constraint for us is an oak tree that covers our entire yard with shade, making vegetable gardening difficult. The only plant thriving in our yard is rosemary. Kale does pretty well,Continue reading “Attract Wildlife to Your Home – Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat”
Walk, Run, Bike, Scooter….Alamo Creek Trail, Dublin
I found the Alamo Creek Trail in the center of Dublin when my son was about four months old, and this great little trail has grown along with him. While he was a baby, I would put my son into the ERGObaby carrier and walk around, showing him the little things we saw along theContinue reading “Walk, Run, Bike, Scooter….Alamo Creek Trail, Dublin”
Scooters at the Skate Park (Val Vista, Pleasanton)
Simple park play… ride scooters at the skate park! We like to go when the park is quiet, when the big kid skateboarders aren’t there. And safety always comes first.. notice my son has on a helmet and both elbow and knee pads. Photos from our outing yesterday to Val Vista Community Park in Pleasanton,Continue reading “Scooters at the Skate Park (Val Vista, Pleasanton)”
Fun! Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
Children’s Fairyland is a storybook park that’s been around longer than Disneyland. In fact, it inspired Walt Disney to create his Magic Kingdom. Fortunately, Fairyland has maintained it’s small size and original charm since it opened in 1950. I have fond memories of visiting the park when I was a child, during visits to seeContinue reading “Fun! Children’s Fairyland, Oakland”
Visit Report: Lindsay Wildlife Museum
For those kids (and adults) who love animals, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek is a must-visit. The facility is beautiful, but what they do here is even more incredible. The wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center within the museum is the oldest in the United States. The veterinarians, staff, and volunteers treat more thanContinue reading “Visit Report: Lindsay Wildlife Museum”
Look for Lizards
As the weather has been warming up, we’ve been seeing more and more lizards on our walks. I believe these little guys (they are about 3-5 inches long) are Western Fence Lizards. We have them all over the place here in the East Bay. Maybe your child(ren) would like to go on a walk toContinue reading “Look for Lizards”
Family Hike, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Oakland
After several days stuck home due to sickness, my husband, son, and I headed out today for a short hike through the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills. The 1.7 mile Huckleberry Path seemed about the right distance, and I’ve heard from many sources that it’s a great hike to do with aContinue reading “Family Hike, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Oakland”
Book Recommendation: Best Hikes with Kids, San Francisco Bay Area
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area (or plan to visit) and you have kids and enjoy hiking, you should have Laure Latham‘s (aka Frog Mom) book, Best Hikes with Kids, San Francisco Bay Area, in your personal library. When this book first came out last year, I checked it out from theContinue reading “Book Recommendation: Best Hikes with Kids, San Francisco Bay Area”
Earth Day 2012
How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day this weekend? Assuming my son is feeling better (he has a horrible sore throat today), on Saturday we will head to Crissy Field in San Francisco for Earth Stroll 2012. Sounds fun… “Adventurous activities and games, hosted by some of the Bay Area’s leading environmental organizations, willContinue reading “Earth Day 2012”
Amazing Animals Scavenger Hunt, Oakland Zoo
We’ve had a membership to the Oakland Zoo for over three years now. We visit frequently, as it is a beautiful place to run around, with a great Children’s Zoo for the kids. And what better way for a child to see, in relatively close and safe proximity, wild animals from around the world. UsuallyContinue reading “Amazing Animals Scavenger Hunt, Oakland Zoo”
Take a “Signs of Spring” Walk
The wildflowers are starting to bloom, new leaves are growing on the tips of branches, gardens are beginning to sprout… this is the time to take the kids out for a walk to look for the signs of spring. This can be a quick walk around the neighborhood or the park, an exploration of yourContinue reading “Take a “Signs of Spring” Walk”
Simple Outdoor Play: Go to the Park
Need a bit of healthy, energy-expending outdoor time for your child(ren), but not sure what to do? Keep it simple. Go to the park. Any park. Just let them run around. Bring a bike or a scooter, and let them ride. Bring some balls, and kick them around. Climb on the play structures. Swing onContinue reading “Simple Outdoor Play: Go to the Park”
Tartan Day Scottish Fair, Ardenwood Historic Farm
Sunshine and warmth… much appreciated after a week of storms! And a beautiful day to celebrate our Scottish heritage. We attended the Tartan Day Scottish Fair, held today at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. The bagpipes, the fiddlers, the people walking around in traditional dress, the highland games, and historic reenactments were all interesting, butContinue reading “Tartan Day Scottish Fair, Ardenwood Historic Farm”
hike.wander.wonder 