It was a busy morning (yesterday) and when my friend Caroline came to get the three older children at noon, I was tempted. . .oh so tempted. . .to sit the littles in front of a movie. Then, you know, I could crash on the couch or something. But instead, I decided to take them for a walk. I don’t get to spend time with just David and Caleb very often.
So we got ready and we got our treasure bag and out we went.
Did you know you can make a forest in your hand? You grab around the bottom of a big fern and pull up up up to the top and then you have a forest in your hand. David does it a lot.
You can see my house in the background.
This was a moment before David dropped down and started crawling “through a tunnel to a secret place.” Caleb did not like that. He said, “Oh no! David is going OFF. THE. TRAIL!”
The little bugger was deliberately closing his eyes for the picture. I took two, using my self timer, before I caught on. What a stinker.
I told Caleb to look at the camera, and he did. See him?
David was the leader, and so he marched. We stopped our marching, briefly, so I could take this picture. Caleb did not ever get to be the leader, no, not this time.
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David discovered The Happy Mushroom.
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We came to the end of our walk by arriving back to our own stream. David said, “Hey! I know this place!”
It’s always a challenge to get Caleb across.
Photo by David Lloyd:
We ended up with a bag full of pinecones, a handful of acorn tops, a mushroom or two, and an armful of sticks for the firepit.
After our walk, the boys went for a short swim.
All in all, our adventure was less than an hour and would you believe?
I still got to take a nap before the other children arrived back home!
Good to be Home 
All’s well that ends well, right?
I love spending time with my little ones individually. There is something special about those one-on-one moments isnt there?
What a FUN adventure and a nap to boot, a perfect day.
Loved the walk through your woods. Photo by David Loyd – sounds professional and looks that way too.
Thanks for taking us along on your little walk through the woods. This was such a sweet post. You made some special memories with your two littlest. God bless :o)
Kelly
Precious photos!!! What wonderful treasure they found!
What an inspiration for me. Often I just want to nap or have some “me” time in the middle of the busy day.
What beauty God has given us. I would not have added so much variety or colors to my world I am sure.
Such a great post! I always appreciate you sharing pictures and descriptions of your walks through the woods; I feel as though I am right there with you. I’m feeling pretty decent today, and if I could I would drive up there right now to visit!!The boys are so precious. I didn’t remember just how handsome David was! I love his smile. And their mischievous and boyish energy just exudes from the pictures. Also, Shanda, YOU LOOK WONDERFUL. And I love that green shirt!Way to go for hoisting yourself up and getting out with those two while you had the chance. You’re a great mom! And I’m so glad you still got your nap!
I’m glad you got to get a rest. It’s important. Almost as important as spending time with the littles. (I call my two little ones that sometimes)
Great photos of your littles adventure!I especially like the creek crossing photo.
What a wonderful way to spend an hour!
Dear Shanda, this is to reply to this post and the last. First. I am thrilled about the experience that the children had with the ultra sound. That was dear. I loved all of the pictures in both posts.The new bedroom for the boys is fabulous. I have copied the pudding recipe and will email it to my daughter for her to make for tonight’s dinner. It just sounded so yummy! I also wanted to mention how happy I am that you have caught the secret of spending time with just a few kids at a time as well as one-on-one when you can. That is just such an important secret to knowing your kids and making them each feel special. Your kids faces showed it in every shot. What treasures they all are. Their personalities are captured in each photo. Tell Mr. David Lloyd that he has inherited his Momma’s fine eye for photography. (brilliant!) blessings sweet friend. I have been so busy but I have been wanting to send you something in the mail. One of these days. Love you to the blueberry sky. M in SC
Fabulous treasures!
Good Morning Shanda….Love all the pics. I’m happy for all of you for sharing the “ultrasound picture” of the new baby. Thats how it was with me and all of my children. They didn’t get to see the ultrasound pic but the baby was already a part of the family. Because they would talk about the baby all the time. They would pat my tummy and ask me 1000 questions….LOL!!
I wish I could take my children out for a “Nature Walk” where I grew up. There was alot of forest. On the outside of the forest it was different. Once you got into the forest it was a whole new world. Lots to discover.
You are a COOL mom to take the time to do this with your little ones.
I see alot of moms who have no time to even talk to their little ones. Real Sad. I feel so bad for the little girl or boy who wants attention from their mom and she won’t answer them or acknowledge them. You are a good role model for all moms!!
Take care, look after yourself, eat well, get your rest and enjoy your family.
Good morning! What great treasures! Congrats on the ultrasound! I love all the pictures- it truly feels like I am there with you. Thank you for sharing your day with us!
Thanks for taking us along on your walk with you:) Your pictures are so good. David did a great job taking the picture! I made the recipe from your last post, it was so good!! My husband really liked it. He loved that chocolate sauce on the bottom. I’m going to get the brownie recipe & your muffins to, we just got some blueberries yesterday. Have a great day!
What a lovely adventure — I love the idea of a forest in the hand!
Despite the fact I’m burning a “Desert Flower” scented candle nearby, I can smell your woods and the rich soil emanating from your pictures.I know that Target sack the boys carried brought home many treasures, but I think the two best treasures you brought home were Caleb and David!!! :)Love you, Shan!
Such a wonderful time with your two youngest! Caleb is so big! You are looking beautiful my dear…so fun to see all your shining faces in the woods. What wonderful experiences and memories in a short time….and you had time for the nap too I remember all the little forest treasures ….esp. from my son Nick. He was like a chipmunk…his pockets would be bulging with acorns, rocks, bark etc. Love the greenness in the early pictures, 3 perfect blueberries, happy mushroom, pictures of you all together, Mr. David Lloyd’s portrait, and my favorite…the two boys at the stream. blessings, Jenny
Thanks for sharing your walk with us. So glad you still got nap!
Looks like a fabulous day! 🙂 Glad you had a nice adventure, and I’m glad you got to rest, too. 🙂
What a great mom you are! And then God blessed your work by letting you be able to take a nap. I think sometimes when we do the right things, God lets us know by giving us a small but precious blessing.
sweet memories…like your shirt. that color looks good on you!
You are such a great mom, Shan! You encourage and inspire me everyday. Thanks for sharing pictures of your walk with Davy and Caleb. You made sweet memories with them. I like your shirt- it looks cute on you. And let me just say, you look great!! Have a great day, friend. We are headed out camping tomorrow.
looks like fun. I wish I could find more ways to spend time with my little ones, just one on one. they can be so overwhelming all together, but I enjoy the little moments with just one at a time.
Hey dear girl! I have spent alot of time praying for you and thanking God for having His hand on you and the baby who is developing inside of you. I am SO encouraged by the kind of mother you are and wish I could go back and redo a few things. I enjoyed today’s pictures of your walk in the woods with David and Caleb. Also the ones of all of your little ones in the pond. Great photography! All of this really makes my whole heart smile! Thank YOU for giving of yourself, because I can see Christ through you. hugs, Gail
I am sure you are glad you went! You are such a good Mama! I have never heard of doing that with a fern I will have to try that with the kids!
Love the green shirt with funky sleeves!
What a fun little adventure! I need to do that with my boys!
Your littles are really cute, btw! They remind me so much of my own two little guys.
I loved your post, and pictures. We love the outdoors, nature walks, and all the discoveries that come with these little excursions. I adore the happy mushroom. It looks like something that could almost make it into one of the children’s books by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers.
what beautiful photos and post friend., You are also glowing.. love that green on you. You boys are adorable and what a treat it was for you to take them on a hike. I love that ‘Target’ treasure bag. 🙂
Love the pic of the boys crossing the stream!
What a great afternoon! Everything seemed to be just right!
aw wow your blog is so precious. your family is soooo beautiful, and i’m so glad that there is a mom out there putting her kids into nature and spending really nice quality time with them. this is so refreshing, it made me so happy.
I remember stripping leaves and little flowers off of shrubs or weeds when I was a child just like David. Thanks for the memory! Love those 3 blueberries!
WONDERFUL! How sweet to just spend time with the two youngest.Tell David is photo is fantastic