Now that my son is in kindergarten, I have a little more free to get out for some hiking during the week. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed getting outside for some fresh air and exercise with my girlfriends. To celebrate, on Saturdays, I’m going to begin posting images from one of the hikesContinue reading “Silent Saturday: Martin Canyon Creek Trail”
Climbing the Wall…
An awesome way to burn some kid energy is to head out for some rock climbing… park style. For a list of our favorite parks in the San Francisco East Bay with fun rock wall features, see my post… Outdoor Climbing Walls. Photos taken at Val Vista Park, Pleasanton.
Water Play! Val Vista Park, Pleasanton
It was HOT earlier this week! Tuesday was a perfect afternoon to spend at one of our local parks with great water features… Val Vista Park in Pleasanton, California. For more parks in the San Francisco East Bay that have great water play areas, check out… Ten Fun East Bay Parks with Free Water Features
Weekly Photo Challenge: Free Spirit
Want to be more social? How to find your tribe!
Five years ago, about six months after my son was born, I became desperate to find people to hang out with during the day. Being at home all day with a baby and having little other social contact was beginning to wear me down. My solution was to do what I normally do… search theContinue reading “Want to be more social? How to find your tribe!”
The Sky Ride, Oakland Zoo
On a busy day at the Oakland Zoo, it’s nice to escape the crowds with a trip on the Sky Ride. The ride take about twenty minutes, with beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay. Some animals can only be seen from here… the herds of elk and bison. They roam the hills behind theContinue reading “The Sky Ride, Oakland Zoo”
Oakland Zoo, August 2012
Bliss… the BMX Park
When given the option of what to do, 9 times out of 10, my 5-year-old son will ask to go to the local BMX course to ride his bike. Strangely, I just realized I haven’t written about this yet!! We’ve been taking him to ride on the course since he was three years old. AtContinue reading “Bliss… the BMX Park”
Backyard Wildlife: Mourning Doves
For at least eight summers now, we’ve had a pair mourning dove visiting our backyard. Every year, they have a child. Last year, my son and I were able to watch the parents teach the baby to fly. So cute! They showed up just a week ago with their child from this summer. I’m sadContinue reading “Backyard Wildlife: Mourning Doves”
Butterflies, California Academy of Sciences
On Monday, my son and I enjoyed a fun visit to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. It was our last outing before his first day of school. I think the highlight of this visit was the baby ostriches! So many, and so cute!! My son also wanted to go into the EarthquakeContinue reading “Butterflies, California Academy of Sciences”
Kindergarten…
Today was the first day of kindergarten. A major life event for my boy…. starting school. Sadness for me. Five years we’ve spent together, hardly ever being apart. I can’t think of a better way to start the day than running off some energy in the school playground. But then it was time for theContinue reading “Kindergarten…”
Family Time: A Ride in the Redwoods
The highlight of the weekend for my son? A Sunday afternoon bike ride with his dad…. While my husband and son were riding, I enjoyed a nice, quiet walk through the redwoods. Lovely…. Location: Redwood Regional Park, Oakland
Kids ‘n Carousels
What is it with kids and carousels? I’ve given up trying to figure out what children love about them. I only know they do. Does your child have a favorite? Do you have a favorite memory of one from childhood? Please share! *** Links to carousels in the San Francisco Bay Area Creativity Carousel, SanContinue reading “Kids ‘n Carousels”
Outdoor Art: Marble Painting
My five-year-old isn’t much of a craft guy, but he does love to play and experiment with paint. He’s usually up for art if it’s more process-oriented than result-oriented. A favorite is painting with marbles. I like to do this activity outside, as the the marble, covered with paint, tends to jump out of theContinue reading “Outdoor Art: Marble Painting”
Climbing the DNA Structure, Lawrence Hall of Science
No visit to the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley is complete without reserving some time to climb on the DNA sculpture out front. We love museums, but after all that indoor time, it’s fun for kids to get outside and move their bodies. This one is a favorite! Have you been to the TonyContinue reading “Climbing the DNA Structure, Lawrence Hall of Science”
Make Paper Airplanes!
I found a fun website that offers a bunch of different paper airplane designs available for free download (www.funpaperairplanes.com). The site offers fifteen different designs, rated by difficulty level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, novelty). Each design provides a template (ready for folding, and cutting, if necessary) and directions. We decided to try out the “Condor”, aContinue reading “Make Paper Airplanes!”
A Beautiful Day!
Another beautiful day at Blake Garden with friends… Related articles Create With Nature Zone, Blake Garden, Kensington (anaturemom.com)
Wow! Adventure Playground, Berkeley
Bored of the usual playground facilities? Then check this one out! The Adventure Playground in Berkeley is a special place, unlike any other park we’ve experienced. The structures are all built by children (with parental and staff supervision), using provided tools (hammers, nails, saws, and paint). This place encourages serious creativity! It’s best for kidsContinue reading “Wow! Adventure Playground, Berkeley”
Great Hike: Saddlebag Lake to the Conness Lakes
Now this was a super-fun hike. How many hikes begin with a ride across a lake on a water taxi?? This was a first for our son… he’s never been on a boat! The views from the lake were gorgeous. My husband and I love hiking above the 10,000 foot level (the trail starts atContinue reading “Great Hike: Saddlebag Lake to the Conness Lakes”
Campground Critters
Ellery Campground (near Tioga Pass, Yosemite)… We returned last evening from a camping trip in the Sierras. I’ll write about our adventures soon!
Suburban Nature Explorations 