Competitive Nature Walk

Dash and I have put a new twist on our nature walks.

Somewhere along the line,
he has gotten too cool to go for a leisurely stroll with Mommy.

He has other things he'd rather be doing.

It's probably because every rock, flower, and bird
doesn't amaze him the way it used to when he was two years old.

Being five years old changes things.

But, Mommy misses those leisurely walks
around the neighborhood and through the canyon
with her inquisitive little boy.

Sure, the scooter rides are fun and all
the other things that come with him growing up, 

but the other day I just wanted to go for a stroll.

So, I challenged him.

What five year old boy doesn't like a competition?

As we strolled we tried to see who could count the most birds.

We walked along the sidewalk, up and down streets, yelling,

"I see one!"  

"There's two!"

Some were flying. 

Some were perched on wires.

Some in the bushes near us.

And, when we got back home, the final score was...

Dash: 39 
Mommy :23

He was thrilled that he won!

So, a new hobby has been birthed. 

We usually search for two 'things' on each walk.

Sometimes, it's birds

and lizards.

Other times it is butterflies,

 and fire hydrants.

We've done stop signs,

 and dogs (hearing them bark counts!).

Today it was flags,

and dandelions.

The best part about it is that he's slowed down enough
to enjoy all that we're seeing.

He's back to talking about the ladybug on the leaf we pass,

and the clouds that look like giraffes in the sky.

Our competitive nature walks have been a nice way to slow back down and enjoy a leisurely stroll while basking over the glory of God's creation.

And...

If your kiddos are still young enough where they are amazed by every rock and leaf they see when out walking,
you might want to try a simple 'nature walk book'.

Dash and I would collect his findings in a little book I made by hole punching
ziplock sandwich bags at the bottom and connecting them with metal rings.

Basically, your book was a bunch of sandwich bags you could flip through.
I usually put a craft foam cover with his name on it at the front and back.

On our walks, when he would find something he couldn't live without, we'd open up one of the ziplock bags and let him collect his treasures.

When we got home, he could flip through
his 'book' and look at all the items he found!

I'd post a picture, but the nature books are one of those things
I've 'accidentally' lost over the years.

I know, if I was a better mom I'd have a whole drawer full
of his collected prickly balls and dead flowers (hee hee).


Looks like he'll just have to enjoy the memories!