I’m always on the lookout for citizen science projects that would be fun to do with my son. I believe it’s a great way to teach science and get kids involved in a real-life project. Of course, this isn’t just for kids! Participating in citizen science projects is a wonderful way for people of all … Continue reading »
Monthly Archives: September 2012
Silent Saturday: Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
Photos taken last weekend during a walk along the Pacific Grove section of the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. My husband took our son on a bike ride, so I could have some much-needed time to myself… Also from our day in Monterey… Going on a Bug Hunt Cyclo-Cross, Monterey Style Weekly Photo Challenge: Solitary Continue reading »
Weekly Photo Challenge: Solitary
Our one child…. completely entranced by the beautiful view of Monterey Bay. Photo taken September 22, 2012, Pacific Grove, California *** WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Solitary Continue reading »
Going on a Bug Hunt
While my husband was warming up for his bike race on Saturday (see post here… Cyclo-Cross, Monterey Style), my son recommended we follow one of the nearby trails and go bug hunting. Excellent idea! We keep exploration tools (bug viewer, magnifying glass) with us at all times, so we’re ready to go whenever inspiration strikes. … Continue reading »
Environmentalism for Kids: Clean up the Neighborhood
For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you know my son loves to take walks around the neighborhood to pick up trash. It’s a great, age-appropriate way to introduce young kids to helping the environment. Interested in doing this with your child? It’s about as easy as it gets. … Continue reading »
Activities / Fun Books / Outdoor Education / Reviews / Tips
Top 5 Nature Activity Books for Families
Looking for a book filled with activities and advice to help you get into nature with your kids? I’ve listed five of my favorites here. I refer to these often in my daily outdoor activities with my now 5-year-old, and have been using a couple of these books since he was two or three. While … Continue reading »
Cyclo-Cross, Monterey Style
I haven’t written much about my husband so far. Much of the time, while I’m out and about with our son, my husband is out riding his bike. At this time of year (September – January), this is how he spends his weekends… racing cyclo-cross. Yesterday, he raced at Fort Ord in Monterey (CCCX series), … Continue reading »
Scrambling: Fun on the Rocks
I wish more city parks had rock structures like these for kids to scramble on. The following photos were taken earlier this week at Emerald Glen Park in Dublin, California. The boulders challenge kids in a way the regular play structures don’t. In order to climb these rocks, children have to use their minds to … Continue reading »
Silent Saturday: Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve
Photos taken on a hike earlier this week at the Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve in San Ramon… You may also enjoy: Silent Saturday: Martin Canyon Creek Trail (Dublin, California) Silent Saturday: Las Trampas Ridge Trail (San Ramon, California) Continue reading »
This Weekend in Oakland– Art in Nature: The Nature of Art Festival
This looks so much fun! In one of the most beautiful parks in the San Francisco East Bay, this festival will feature music, dance, sculpture, painting, poetry, theater, kids crafts, and so many other art forms. The Art in Nature: The Nature of Art Festival is being held this Sunday, September 23rd, along the Stream … Continue reading »
First Signs of Fall
Yesterday, I wrote about taking your child out on walk to look for signs of Autumn (Take a “Signs of Fall” Walk). I didn’t feel the seasons changing yet as I wrote the post, but decided to head out for a walk around our neighborhood with my 5-year-old after I wrote the article. Here’s what … Continue reading »
Take a “Signs of Fall” Walk
Saturday is the first day of Autumn. While it doesn’t quite feel like fall yet here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know the seasons will begin to change soon. This is a great time to head outdoors with your child to look for the first signs of fall. This walk can be taken … Continue reading »
The Hungry Owl Project
I have to preface this post by stating that we live on the edge of our city, on the border where the houses meet the open grasslands and oak forests beyond. We love living here because of the views and the wildlife that visit us. However, we’re not fond of one visitor… the rats. No … Continue reading »
My Love, the Dark-eyed Junco
I have to admit, I’m in love with the Dark-eyed Junco. Not only are these little birds gorgeous, but they do an incredible job of cleaning up all that birdseed the finches drop from the feeder. You may also enjoy… Finch Fun Continue reading »
Great Park for Nature Play: Chabot Park, San Leandro
Yesterday, we attended a wedding reception in a park I’ve never been to… Chabot Park in San Leandro. What a great park for nature play! There were quite a few boys between the ages of three and six at the wedding, and they had a blast running up and down the hills, along the trails, … Continue reading »
Silent Saturday: Las Trampas Ridge Trail
A few photos from my hike earlier this week on the Las Trampas Ridge Trail in San Ramon… For more information about Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, visit http://www.ebparks.org/parks/las_trampas You may also enjoy… Silent Saturday: Martin Canyon Creek Trail Continue reading »
Won’t Back Down… Simple, Anti-Union Propaganda
Tuesday night, my husband and I did something we haven’t done in a long time…. went to a movie! I was offered the opportunity to attend a movie preview, and I couldn’t refuse. Movie: Won’t Back Down Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaall and Viola Davis Opening: September 28, 2012 The Story: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis play … Continue reading »
Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far
For information about the WordPress challenge: Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far Continue reading »
Go Climb a Tree
We’re lucky to have a couple parks nearby that have great trees for climbing. The kids are drawn as much to playing on these trees as to the man-made play structures in the parks. This one is in Kolb Park in Dublin. Our other favorite climbing tree is in Shannon Park, also in Dublin. Do … Continue reading »
Finch Fun
Yesterday morning, my son was quietly building with his Lincoln Logs when he happily exclaimed, “Look, Mommy, a goldfinch! There’s a goldfinch at the feeder!” Now I had to run to the window to check it out, because I honestly can’t remember ever having any yellow birds in our backyard. My son was correct. Two … Continue reading »
Article: 6 Tips for Outdoor Adventures with Kids
My article about getting outside for a hiking adventure with the kids has been featured on The Roundup at Circle of Moms! To read the article and pick up some tips about how to have a fun family hike, click on over to Circle of Moms here… 6 Tips for Outdoor Adventures with Kids. Happy … Continue reading »
Silent Saturday: Martin Canyon Creek Trail
Now that my son is in kindergarten, I have a little more free to get out for some hiking during the week. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed getting outside for some fresh air and exercise with my girlfriends. To celebrate, on Saturdays, I’m going to begin posting images from one of the hikes … Continue reading »
Climbing the Wall…
An awesome way to burn some kid energy is to head out for some rock climbing… park style. For a list of our favorite parks in the San Francisco East Bay with fun rock wall features, see my post… Outdoor Climbing Walls. Photos taken at Val Vista Park, Pleasanton. Continue reading »
Water Play! Val Vista Park, Pleasanton
It was HOT earlier this week! Tuesday was a perfect afternoon to spend at one of our local parks with great water features… Val Vista Park in Pleasanton, California. For more parks in the San Francisco East Bay that have great water play areas, check out… Ten Fun East Bay Parks with Free Water Features Continue reading »
Weekly Photo Challenge: Free Spirit
Want to be more social? How to find your tribe!
Five years ago, about six months after my son was born, I became desperate to find people to hang out with during the day. Being at home all day with a baby and having little other social contact was beginning to wear me down. My solution was to do what I normally do… search the … Continue reading »
The Sky Ride, Oakland Zoo
On a busy day at the Oakland Zoo, it’s nice to escape the crowds with a trip on the Sky Ride. The ride take about twenty minutes, with beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay. Some animals can only be seen from here… the herds of elk and bison. They roam the hills behind the … Continue reading »
