Nature Nuts - Home Sweet Home

The week before Thanksgiving was the last of
Nature Nuts for the year.
Jake and Allie were the only "nuts" there this time,
and it couldn't have been more fun!

We talked about (and looked for)
Animal Homes.

Before we started our search for animal homes,
we made a house of our own.
Out of bamboo.

Then, the real fun began!

As soon as they were given the go-ahead,
the kids were off!

Some of us wondered off the path a few times,
but that's ok -
there are no real rules at the Nature Center...

I think Allie had more fun than she's ever had.

Usually when we go places she's strapped in the stroller
or constantly being told "no" or moved
away from an unsafe area/activity.

But on this particular day, she was set free!
Free to do whatever she wanted!

I think she was a little concerned at first.
She kept turning around making sure she was still in the "safe zone".

That lasted to the end of the walkway.

It was fun to have Jake guess who/what lived in all the "homes".
This was a spider home.

There were also lots of other fun things to be found -
like this "purple tree", as Jake called it.

I just love seeing things through his eyes!

Along with Mr. John, The Nature Center Director,
there was a lady from The MS Wildlife something-or-another
walking around with us.

Although I've told Jake to never ever touch mushrooms that we don't buy from the store,
Wildlife Lady said it was ok to touch these.
Great!
I wonder how long before they're eating the ones in our yard?......

We found "cereal flake" mushrooms, "umbrella" ones and "sea shell" ones.

We also found a heart.
Do you see it?

Our kids aren't afraid of much.
I've yet to decide if that's a good thing or not.

We came across a "home" in a tree trunk.
Mr. John asked Jake if he knew what might live in it.
Jake said, "It's prwobaly a snake home."
Allie replied, "Nake!"

And then stuck her had right in the hole......
Fortunately, the only thing she pulled out was a handful of dirt and leaves.


We found "da biggest leafs on da earf".

We walked the trails for about 90 minutes.
It was so much fun watching them explore nature.
I'm so glad Terry found this program for us to go to,
and we can't wait for next March for it to start back!
Until then,
we'll just have to go find some moss patches on our own....