Springing into Action

Since we have been home, its been busy. A good busy. We are feeling as though the last of the winter layers have been shed (even though it's cold!) and we are motivated to follow interests and start new projects. It feels good to be outside, moving a little lighter and more freely. We have big plans for our vegetable garden, the flower beds and the boys are in a horticultural group. So gardening is at the top of our list.

The daffodils are up at one of our favorite walks, which we enjoyed. Its become a yearly tradition to visit this trail in the spring and take in their sunshine.
We also enjoyed a trail which is an off leash dog area that we used to visit with Marly. It felt a bit strange without her, but it also felt great to reminisce. The pond on the trail is a favorite for frog spotting and turtle watching. The turtle's create these giant nests in the middle of the reeds. If you weren't carefully observing you would probably miss them, but there were about 25 painted turtles enjoying the little peeks of sun.
The rivers and creeks have been calling my children. We joke that there are sirens(the mythological kind) that live there and that they need to be careful or they won't get away. I love that not only are the kids excited to visit these beautiful places but that they are even more excited to invite certain friends to visit. They have friends they really wanted to share a clay spot with. They have other friends who love to get into the water and play otters sliding down the bank in between frog catching.
We also had cousins visit who were willing to climb and splash at one of our favorite creek spots (which also happens to be on a trail that gets us to the organic coffee shop -what a treasure!). The only thing better than visiting our favorite nature places is sharing them.
I think one of the draws to hikes for us is the unexpected. While there is some expectations of trees to climb, rocks to turn over, and the hopes of water, there is always the unexpected discoveries that lure us back. It was such a sweet surprise to see the trillium's, both white and purple. I keep meaning to go and seek them out at another trail, and here we got to stumble upon them. What luck!
I am finding it tricky taking photo with Shai in the sling, (or on the ground! ) my one eye is always distracted. I am also having a hard time to remember it!!!