Sam asked me today if we could go for a bike ride and my immediate response was "no sweety its winter". But then I thought, if she wants to, why not? So we bundled up and headed out. Me on foot and Sam on bike.
She thought it was hilarious when her bike got stuck in snow or slipped on an icy patch.
We headed down to the creek to take a look.
Not enough ice to walk on (obviously!) but was fun to look at and throw sticks in!
Then I told her it was time to head home and she said she wasn't ready, she wanted to bike the long way home! Okay, I thought, pretty sure that we would get to about the farthest spot possible from home and she would be frozen. With disaster surely awaiting us we headed out the long way home.
We spotted birds nests and cool mushrooms along the way.
And then we found these great little plants!
Just laying there, dried and perfect for picking by little 2.5 year old fingers.
Someone once called these chinese lanterns, but I am not sure if that is correct. The mom of the birthday girl on Saturday had these for the little girls to use to decorate their fairy houses and when I saw them I couldn't resist! So Sam and I picked a few to bring back home. She loved it and thought they were some kind of fruit. I convinced her not to eat them and just to help me pick some. Can't wait to see what we will come up with to do with these things!
So if you have your bikes stored away some where for winter I would suggest getting them back out! It worked great for some outdoor exercise time for us.
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The Nitty Gritty!
I am getting really impatient for spring to come. I have been finding a lot of family camping, backpacking and hiking adventures out there and it is making me antsy to get out there and do some bigger adventures with my girls! I am ready for camping. I am ready to try a little backpacking (okay, maybe a short walk to a campsite from a parking lot, but still!). Or maybe a canoe trip, some kayaking or other boat rides! I want to get adventurous and all this cold and snow is not very accomodating for that. I love winter camping but I think temps in the negative numbers at night might be a bit too cold!
Come on spring! I am ready!!!
Yay for you & Sam getting out there in the snow on a bike! We went riding this weekend, too, but we don't have snow on the ground! What an inventive way to enjoy winter.
Posted by: Debi | 01/10/2011 at 08:06 PM
Kids see so many more possibilities than us, don't they? Looks like a lovely day.
Posted by: Mel | 01/11/2011 at 08:32 AM
Yeah why not! She looks like she is having a blast.
Those plants do look like chinese lanterns; they look somewhat like the ones I have seen in stores. The ones I usually see are poofier. They are terrific plants. How did they get out there I wonder? The guy that helps my parents with their yard said they are crazy invasive out here. That's a shame because I was so going to plant some.
Posted by: Angela | 01/11/2011 at 09:16 AM
They look like Chinese lanterns to me. Our old neighbour grew these. He assured me that they can be eaten, as he munched on them. I wasn't so brave.
Posted by: Cheryl | 01/11/2011 at 04:15 PM