Tree Hugging Toddlers
Yesterday was one of those 75 degree days that pops up in March and has you unpacking your shorts and hunting for a pair of sunglasses. We took on this boon by spending pretty much all day outside in the park and the boys used it to explore in ways I haven’t seen before. Talk about communing with nature, these kids could have led a tree-hugging seminar! Twin S sat in small ditch and examined leaves: Ripping them into tiny pieces, throwing them up to watch them rain down on his head, stirring them with a stick. He then took to finding more sticks and waving each treasure in the air with glee. A big one, a little one, a reddish brown one, a wood chip one. I have a dream of one day having our own real fireplace and sending him out for kindling. Twin R found the ‘Brooklyn’ in his nature to be the fascinating part. He dug a beer cap out of the dirt and took on a tool when I showed him how a stick could help pry it up. A good half dozen caps were soon his. I found myself not brooding about where they’d all come from, but rather seeing the beauty of these “gems” through his lens. Apparently they also looked like candy and soon had to be confiscated, but the glory of the hunt was his to cherish. Next on R’s list was the bikes two nice locals had propped up against a nearby tree.
With their permission the boys were soon transformed into mechanics: rotating the pedals, checking tire pressure with their teeth, peeking through the spokes. R got down on his tummy to shimmy under the pedals and began digging around- yes there was a shiny green Heineken cap just barely within reach. Ah nature! We ended the afternoon literally hugging trees-
encouraged by one of our favorite bedtime stories about a bear who loves doling out hugs in the forest and to trees most of all. So Cheers! To spring and to keeping this love of nature just as fresh!
