What we learned:
What the different parts of a tree are: trunk, branches, leaves, roots
The difference between deciduous and coniferous trees
There are a lot of different kinds of trees.
Chloe learned that peeing outside is much harder for girls than for boys
What we did and saw:
I was not sure what the kids would think of hanging out in a park, without a slide and swings, all day. But we all had a great time and learned a lot. First we started out from the parking lot and headed into the arboretum. We didn't get too far before the kids wanted to stop and rest . . . and then play. This place was a gigantic playground for them. They had a blast hiding amongst the trees. Some groups of trees created these fantastic play structures. As we walked through the park, I would ask what kind of tree we were looking at and they would yell out: deciduous! or coniferous! After about an hour and half of exploring the different shapes, sizes, and leaves we headed back toward the front so the kids could use the bathroom and then we set up for lunch.
My kids kept popping in and out of this tree so I went in for a closer look . . .
. . . ah, so that's what they're doing in there.
On the menu: Egg salad sandwiches, watermelon, grapes, cheese, juice box, water
After lunch we got in the car and drove a little ways towards the back of the arboretum to a place I had never been: Corey Glen. This area was so beautiful.
We walked a little bit further because the kids wanted to see the crab apple trees that the map promised to be right up ahead. We were having a hard time locating the trees because the apples are still so small. When I was about to give up, Shannon found a sign under one of the trees and asked me to read it. He is so resourceful. And it was indeed a crab apple tree. And then we walked from tree to tree, reading all of the signs and learning that there are many, many varieties of crab apple trees.
Shannon and a crab apple tree
When we got just past the crab apple trees, the kids climbed up on this giant rock and asked me to take a picture. When I asked if they were having fun they gave me a double thumbs up.
Heading back on another beautiful trail
We headed back home to rest up for a bonus Camp Mom event: boating with our friends Bill, Laura, and Roxanne. When Stacey got home from work, we packed a lunch, and headed to the lake.
We found a calm, sunny place to drop anchor and we all got to take a dip. We only put Athena in for a moment so she could cool off. She wasn't too thrilled so the adults took turns holding her in the boat, relaxing on the water, and goofing off with the kids.
By the time we got home, Day 1 had been declared a success and we had three very sleepy kiddos . . . and two sleepy parents.
Stay tuned for Day 2.
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