Originally posted on LEARN FROM NATURE:
Cover via Amazon Three times more children and youth getting outdoors in nature from 2009 to 2011—some good from Children & Nature Network (C&NN) survey! The 2011 Children & Nature Network (C&NN) survey of grassroots leaders of regional, statewide and provincial campaigns shows a three-fold increase in the number…
Dandelions and Sunshine, Versatility and Love
I just realized my post yesterday (My Childhood Play… My Love of Nature) was my 100th! I remember only a few months ago, being on post number two, wondering what I’d write about to get me to ten. Now I can’t seem to stop… I’ve been blessed with a wonderful group of readers, and todayContinue reading “Dandelions and Sunshine, Versatility and Love”
My Childhood Play… My Love of Nature
This is the backyard of my childhood home. These are the places I played as a child, building forts, climbing trees, scaling mountains, running from dinosaurs, becoming a world explorer, digging like an archaeologist, wading in the creek, catching crawdads, watching frogs lay eggs, and observing the development of pollywogs. This was the play ofContinue reading “My Childhood Play… My Love of Nature”
My Little Birder… Loving the Chickadee!
My five-year-old son has a new hobby. Bird watching. About a week or so ago, once a day, he began telling me, “I’m going into the backyard to watch the birds.” Then he’ll proceed to sit quietly, completely still for 20-30 minutes, waiting for birds to appear. Well, a few days ago, he excitedly ranContinue reading “My Little Birder… Loving the Chickadee!”
Monarchs! Butterfly & Bird Festival, Coyote Hills, Fremont
This morning we attended the 13th Annual Butterfly and Bird Festival, held at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. We’ve attended this event the past two years, too, and this just may be my son’s favorite festival. It’s kind of funny, since my son isn’t usually into doing crafty type activities, but he absolutely LOVESContinue reading “Monarchs! Butterfly & Bird Festival, Coyote Hills, Fremont”
A Saturday Morning
My mom’s birthday was this week, and this is for her. Happy 81st, Mom! Happy Saturday to everyone else!
Exploring the Ringtail Cat Trail, Las Trampas, Alamo
Another great Outdoor Discoveries outing! Today, the naturalist took the kids up the Ringtail Cat Trail into Las Trampas Regional Park for a “beanstalk lunch hike” to learn about vines. This is another of my favorite trails in the area, especially on a hot summer day, as the trail winds above a creek through aContinue reading “Exploring the Ringtail Cat Trail, Las Trampas, Alamo”
Solar Oven S’Mores
Yesterday afternoon, we attended a festival held by the East Bay Regional Park District at Shadow Cliffs in celebration of the Transit 0f Venus. While checking out the sun through the telescopes was pretty cool, the highlight for my son (other than playing in the trees with his friends) was making s’mores in a pizzaContinue reading “Solar Oven S’Mores”
Search for Snails
A favorite rainy day activity… head outside to look for snails! My son calls them his “snail buddies”. What we found yesterday during a rare June rain shower….
Hiking the Martin Canyon Creek Trail, Dublin, California
The Martin Canyon Creek Trail is my favorite spot to hike in Dublin. It’s even better now that the trail has been cut through to connect with the Dublin Hills Regional Park. Dublin gets pretty hot in the summer, and this is the only place to hike in the city that has shade. The trailContinue reading “Hiking the Martin Canyon Creek Trail, Dublin, California”
Farewell, Turkeys!
It’s been more than a week since we’ve seen our resident turkeys. I don’t know where they go over the summer, but I know they’ll return in the fall! They always do. A pair, on the hill… The one who visits us on our fence each day in the spring and fall… My son andContinue reading “Farewell, Turkeys!”
Tony Hawk Event, Rad Science Exhibit, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Yesterday we had the opportunity to see Tony Hawk and other professional skateboarders perform, as part of the opening festivities of the new Tony Hawk Rad Science exhibit at the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS). All I can say is… it was awesome. Here’s the event description from the LHS website… “Watch Tony Hawk, alongContinue reading “Tony Hawk Event, Rad Science Exhibit, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley”
Tea Party!
Did you know boys enjoy tea parties, too? Friday afternoon, my son walked downstairs carrying his tea set and suggested we have a tea party in the backyard. Well, why not? We cleaned up the dishes, I made us some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and he set the table outside. Believe it or not,Continue reading “Tea Party!”
The Baby Deer
We have a new favorite animal to watch from the dining room table while eating our breakfast… a baby deer who walks across the hill at least once a day with his mom. My son loves the big nose! Related articles Backyard Wildlife… Baby Jay (anaturemom.com)
Walking with Friends, Inspiration Trail, Tilden … and Playtime at Orinda Community Park
On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed a lovely 3-mile walk with friends on the Inspiration Trail in the Berkeley Hills. This is a trail that has grown with us through the years. My husband and I liked to hike here because of the gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay, the Marin Headlands, and the GoldenContinue reading “Walking with Friends, Inspiration Trail, Tilden … and Playtime at Orinda Community Park”
First Time Camping with Kids? 5 Tips!
It’s that time of year when parents with young children are beginning to plan that very first camp trip with their young child. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve read a ton of articles about camping with kids. What can possible be added to the discussion? I have a few extra tips forContinue reading “First Time Camping with Kids? 5 Tips!”
Earthquake! And More… California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
For months, my son has been asking when the new Earthquake exhibit will be opening at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Well, it finally opened last weekend, so I took him on Tuesday. How was the exhibit? I thought it was great! First, visitors are shown a short movie about plate tectonics.Continue reading “Earthquake! And More… California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco”
Hiking and Playing, Coyote Hills, Fremont
If you read my post yesterday, you know we attended the Nectar Garden Fun Day at Coyote Hills Regional Park on Monday. I invited friends from my Nature Time! playgroup to attend with us, and the kids had a great time running around and playing after they were done with the butterfly activities. A favoriteContinue reading “Hiking and Playing, Coyote Hills, Fremont”
Nectar Garden Fun, Coyote Hills
Nectar Garden Fun Day As many of you already know, we’re in the process of creating a butterfly garden in our backyard. So I couldn’t resist attending the Nectar Garden Fun Day with my son yesterday morning at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. This is one of my favorite parks in the East Bay,Continue reading “Nectar Garden Fun, Coyote Hills”
Backyard Wildlife… Baby Jay
The baby scrub jay is leaving the nest more frequently, testing his wings… so cute. Every time the baby “screeches” for food, he puffs up and flaps his wings. And here’s mom (or dad)… Related articles Backyard Wildlife… Scrub Jay (anaturemom.com) Bring Wildlife to Your Home – Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat (anaturemom.com)
Suburban Nature Explorations 