Ice Kids Cometh

The car thermometer read 21F and there was a stiff wind, no doubt dropping the perceived temperatued into the teens. And what did we do? We went for a nature walk! We headed to a local nature and science center and spent half the morning running around the castellated playground. Not to worry, as we were fully coated and mittened and hatted. Though, I could've used a scarf and Mama forgot her hat and mittens. The new family rule is you have to wear hats and mittens if it is below freezing. Otherwise, I'm not really a good judge of when you need what winter apparel (and the whole coat process is slowing down and throwing off my whole morning departure routine). Obviously, neither is Mama.

After playing in the castle--and on the very cold metal slides--we took a walk down to the pond. On the way, we must have seen the world's fattest squirrels. Bud thought one was a raccoon! We also saw chickadees, sparrows, a blue jay, and a cardinal at the center's bird feed area. We walked around the frozen pond on the boardwalk, recalling what Sid the Science Kid had said about water turning into ice when it is cold (and how it turns back to water when it is warm). We also imagined all the frogs sleeping in their burrows, just like Felix on Miss Spider. We even found a spot where we could throw rocks onto the frozen surface of the pond and watch then skid all the way across. The kiddos were also able to lean over and touch the ice, which Mama then broke with her foot to demonstrate why you never try to walk on ice. They were fascinated with the 1/4" thick chunks, which they also threw across the pond. We also found a few spots under a bridge where the water was still running.

It wasn't an entirely outdoor experience though because there was a program in the afternoon. We saw (and were able to touch) snakes, turtles, a dragon (bearded, which they liked and feared less than the turtles!!), a bunny that sat in Sis's lap twice, and a bird that laughs. The bunny was so soft and warm, quite opposite of the snake, which I reluctantly stroked trying to encourage the kids. Didn't work, though.

We had lunch out--the first restaurant meal in something like 6 weeks, which they really seemed to appreciate. And, having spent some of the morning discussing what various creatures eat, we imagined which animals would eat plates of what, such as "who would eat a plate full of flies?" A frog! Then we tried to guess what each of us would most like to have on a plate. They chose pizza for me, pretty accurate. Which is why we were there in the first place. At least I got to choose where we ate: Sis wanted to have a picnic outside at the castle.