“Mom, I have to go to the bathroom,” said Jacob.
I inwardly groaned. It was hot and I had just gotten the kids a picnic lunch and was settling down with a magazine at the park. There was a playground and I thought the kids would play for a bit while I read.
“Jake, you’re going to have to go off down there to the woods and go,” I said.
Ethan went along, too. I had to laugh at that. They do everything together but a trip to the woods for a bathroom break was carrying things a little too far, I thought. There was a big stream down there and I wondered if they would notice. A few minutes later they both came back running.
“MOM! You’ve GOT to see this!”
And that is how we discovered the stream and how I gave up my “quiet time”. We went down and the kids paddled around in it. It was so much fun that few days later we went again and I took my camera.
It was beautiful down there. Dark and cool with the sound of running water.
I found this rock: 
It is covered in fossil markings and when we got home I put it in my garden.
The afternoon was all the more fun because the playground and stream are at the school grounds that Rich and I both went to as kids. Seems like yesterday.
Good to be Home 
What a lovely place! Your kids looked like they were having a ball!
Oh, what bliss! I can actually hear the trickle of the water and the birdsongs echoing through the trees ~ could you show us a photo of the fossil rock?
That place is so beautiful! Almost like your own private secret garden. Definitely a place to remember to visit on hot summer days.
Hi Shanda…..I love all the pics!! So beautiful. I love the pic of your daughter and the dark woods surrounding her….really pretty. Wish I could escape to a place like that with my children. Looks like fun. When I was growing up we had a creek too below my mom and dads house. It was a 2 minute walk. We used to have our spots to swim.We (brothers and sister) would stand in the middle of the creek and watch all the little minnows nudge our ankles and legs….tickled. Once my cousins (10 of them) came and visited. Some of us went swimming. There were lots of leeches too (yikes!) One of my cousins came out of the water, someone pointed out that there was a big, fat, black leech on her leg. She started screaming and dancing all over the place. We got it off with a stick. But I remember I couldn’t stop laughing just seeing her dance on the banks there…..i know, i know sounds mean. But it was sooo funny. We did get it off…I helped after I regained some composure. You have wonderful memories there thats for sure. Take care and have a great day…..
now that looks like good old fashioned fun, the way God meant for summertime to be! 🙂
that looks like the best playground around!! My kids would be thrilled to find such a place. =)
Playing in nature is far more fun than playing on playground equipment any day!! I love how the first few pictures the kids are timidly tiptoeing around in the water careful not to get too drenched but then a bit later they are fully swimming in it! Like I said before, it’s so good to have you back.
Wow – beautiful place and what fun!
Wow. Your kids are so blessed to get to have that kind of fun. How beautiful. You are a family of memory-makers.
So much better then a groomed park on a hot summer day. Your photos fill me with joy that such a place still exists to be discoverd, explored and enjoyed.
What a treasure to find o a hot day! These pictures, as well as all the rest, are absolutely fabulous. Beautiful subjects, great memories.
Awesome~!
That reminds me of the creek I grew up beside in WV. What a great place to play – the kids look like they are having the time of their life!!! Suz
what a wonderful place – it looks very peaceful~ the children look like they are enjoying themselves so much — places like that our dream lands for children! It looks so green too! Thank you for sharing this fun time through the pictures~Glad you had a lovely time on your vacation — !Blessings on you and your beautiful family~ I like seeing your family w/ four boys… it’s nice to know there are others like me out there~ :)alyssa
What a wonderful discovery — how nice to be so close to the school and the park, too. I love the shot of your daughter — very contemplative!
What a refreshing day those pictures bring to mind, love Grace’s picture, she is not afraid to jump in with her clothes on, love all the smiles too…thank you..love evalyne
I was wishin’ I could take off my shoes and splash with you. And I love each one of these sweet faces. Love, Maxine
How exciting! I’ve missed you. It looks like you and the kids had a wonderful time. I’m sure you’re glad to be home, though.It’s been a busy few weeks… my trip to Chicago and then when we got home Josh’s brother was here. They just left today, so I’m finally finding some time to catch up on things.
Your children will always remember this day. when i was a young girl my brother and i would also play in a stream , the memories are so great and when i go over to my mom’s i still go down and look at that stream, it not as cleaned out as when we were young but , it is still nice to see and remember all the good times we had. you have a great day
God Bless,
sandy