A day in the outdoors

We had a good time spending quite some time outdoor today and even got our own monarch butterfly caterpillar to take care of. More about that in a different post.

Observing a bee taking in nectar

Some climbing and some sliding

A little more climbing

Sand play is always a hit

Chilling on the spider web

Queen Ann's Lace for earrings

Everyone look at J!

Wind in her hair, though I didn't feel much while in the sun

Having fun

wow, is that a happy smile or what?!

Making a garland for her friend

In the shade of the gourd leaves

Loving all the flowers and plants;
summer is truly beautiful here.

Exploration - The great outdoor challenge

Day 8

Today was in the 50's so the water was "freezing" in the stream according to J. But W was esp. brave and was the first one to go into the stream and explored different entry points.
This will probably be my last post for a while since we are leaving for China so ready for some picture overload.

This is the beginning...
Getting braver... intently watching
the duck who was also in the streamCrossing... there were lots of mosquitoes but no stopping W
Made it!
I'm going to the other side...
After getting his sleeve wet and one slip, W tries to cross in different parts of the stream
coming back

Did it! This is so fun.Leading the way...

W stayed quite a bit longer than J and really explored.

J conquers her fears and finally goes to the big rock via the little rocks. That was her goal. Then she was off to the park to play.
Running/rolling on the hills up and down prior to all this was a great work out! W says his lungs was "bursting"!

Hopefully, I'll be able to upload some pic while in China. If not, I'll be back later to continue The Great Outdoor Challenge.

Tag, you are it! : The great outdoor challenge

Day 7

I almost forgot, J just lost both of her top tooth within days of each other (Finally)

car wash- great outdoor challenge

Day 6

My two loves to wash cars and today was a nice day to do it.
The car sure needed one.

Through J's Lense: The great outdoor challenge

I was too busy to go outside with the kids today so I asked J's to take pictures of their adventure outside.

But they did get their dose of exercise through an almost 2 hour indoor soccer play through "days of health" sponsored by our local community in lieu of their usual Friday free swim days. I was surprised the kiddos had such good energy, running non-stop for that long.

Day 4

J's photos of their adventure outdoor.

Others that are participating The Great Outdoor Challenge:

lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise, luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia, becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney, branflakes, jessica, renee, haiku, brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth, julie, kyndale, kelly, lizzie, eileen, ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita, lisa, jenn, montessori, marita, jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella, missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana, jamie, lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey

Night Walk: The great outdoor challenge

Day 3


We like taking lantern walks in the night, esp. in the early fall or summer. Usually we like to gaze at the stars, talk about the moon and even get out daddy's telescope. But today it was freezing (low 40s) , esp. compared to days previously in the 80s but we still managed a short walk in the night when most children are already in dream land. I had to coax J out since she already walked with daddy and W while I was getting my hair done in the evening.

But with the lure of some new beeswax candle I brought recently, she walked with me and agreed to 1 picture. BTW, I don't find the beeswax candles smelling different and this is suppose to be 100% pure beeswax. At least it kept J's hand warm and the walk certainly refreshed me. :)

Others that are playing:

lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise, luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia, becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney, branflakes, jessica, renee, haiku, brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth, julie, kyndale, kelly, lizzie, eileen, ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita, lisa, jenn, montessori, marita, jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella, missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana, jamie, lisa c

p.s It took me a little while to figure out I can copy and link all the participants. LOL

Rain and New Life: The great outdoor challenge:

Day 2

W notices the many worms that are coming out. J finally says, STOP! :)

( To learn more about the Great Outdoor Challenge, click on icon on the left side bar)

Digging: The great outdoor challenge

This is challenge from Lisa and I'm playing along. The challenge is in honor of Children and Nature Awareness Month and asks us to "go outside everyday, rain or shine; then take a picture each day, for the rest of April, of your children outdoors and post it. Just a single picture will do (HA!I will have problem with this one); words aren’t even necessary. Lets spread the word and go outdoors!". To learn more, click here.

Everyday, I will share a picture until we leave for China 4/14. When I come back, I'll share the pictures of us in China for the rest of April. I have been told by relatives in China that they are blocked from viewing blogs, at least the ones hosted by blogger. So I will check to see if its really true when I'm there and if not, maybe I can post the pictures while in China.

Day 1