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Family Hike

Recently we loaded up all the kids into the car while they dodged the sunscreen we swiped by their noses and headed north.

The trail had horses at the start, as the kids inched quietly closer, their hands held as the large animals plucked soft grass strands out of the ground.

We loaded up the littlest in the pack, and walked slowly, the other two delightedly noticing the green above, the tiny flowers between rocks, and broken branches filled with moss while ants marched holding their tiny, white eggs proudly above their heads.

Finley found a special treasure, a dead butterfly lying in a heap on the dusty ground.  “Mama, he dead?  He tired?”
“He is dead, but you can hold him and look at his delicate wings,” as he gingerly cupped the insect and whispered, “I hold you.”

When we got to the stream, we watched large horses on skinny, careful legs quickly plow through the water, their riders getting splashed as they passed.

We quickly tried to grab the arm or shirt corner of the boys who were already knee deep to remove their clothes so they wouldn’t hike back wet, barely getting them undressed before they were splashing and swimming, hanging their clothes on branches.

He found a yellow lily

After tiny fingers were pruney, and they pulled themselves out onto the rocky sand, we dried them off, loaded up two tired boys, and headed on the trail once again.

And before five minutes had passed, the littlest one who had sun soaked in his hair, sand clinging to his feet and meadow air filling his lungs closed his tired eyes, right up against mama and slept snug and cozy the whole way home.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” 

― John Muir

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  • Kathy August 1, 2013, 1:54 am

    I love the way you encourage your children to love nature. I love the family pic,everyone is soooo happy!!!

    • The Tiny Team August 1, 2013, 11:13 pm

      Thank you! We think it’s important for them!

  • Beth Lang August 1, 2013, 5:53 am

    I love reading about your family. I have so much admiration for you guys. So many happy times and memories.

  • Kate Deals August 1, 2013, 1:32 pm

    I especially love Elijah’s smiles, after your blog posts about how unhappy he was initially. Great experience, post, pictures all around. Thank you for sharing.

    • The Tiny Team August 1, 2013, 11:14 pm

      It is such a joy to live a life with someone who is learning to love life, what an honor!

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