One of these days, I’ll remember that finger painting really should be done outside….
Simple Outdoor Play: Take Inside Toys Outside
Simplest of outdoor play… let your child take their inside toys outside. My only constraint? I don’t allow toys with small pieces that can get lost (Lego‘s) or items that can roll under the deck (Marble Run, Hot Wheels). When I was a kid, I loved to take my Barbies outside. They would frequently goContinue reading “Simple Outdoor Play: Take Inside Toys Outside”
Mrs. Sparkly’s Ten Commandments Award.. Thank You!
Very cool! Travel Lady with Baby has passed this award on to me. Thank you! I love your blog! *** The rules for this award are that you must answer the following ten questions and nominate ten blogs that you think deserve the award. 1. Describe yourself in seven words. Caring, Loving, Earthy, Passionate, Observant,Continue reading “Mrs. Sparkly’s Ten Commandments Award.. Thank You!”
Visit a Garden for Free! National Public Gardens Day 2012
This Friday, May 11th, is National Public Gardens Day! Better Homes & Gardens and the American Public Garden Association have collaborated to provide free admission to gardens throughout the United States and Canada. What a wonderful program to help people discover and learn about their local gardens! Interested in attending? Sign up through the BetterContinue reading “Visit a Garden for Free! National Public Gardens Day 2012”
Gardening with Grandpa
Over the weekend, we went to Sacramento to help my parents plant their vegetable garden. The garden has historically been my mom’s project. However, as my parents have become older (they are now entering their 80’s), the yard work has become more difficult for them. My mom uses a walker, and getting down to theContinue reading “Gardening with Grandpa”
Solo Hike, Dublin Hills Regional Park
I enjoyed getting out for some much-needed solo-time in nature today. I didn’t feel like driving anywhere, so I simply hiked into the hills behind our home. Bliss! And I had fun playing with my camera… Dublin Hills Regional Park
Swimming Pool Fun!
Summer is just around the corner! My husband and our son, swimming at grandma and grandpa’s pool yesterday in Sacramento…
Creating our Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Step Four, Homes for Wildlife
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”
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”
Turkey on the Fence
At this time of year (Spring), the turkeys are all over around here. We hear them when we go on hikes, we see them when we’re driving around, and we hear them from our home. We have one, though, who visits us each day. She jumps (can we call it flying?) up onto our backyardContinue reading “Turkey on the Fence”
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”
hike.wander.wonder 