We hadn't been to the Arboretum in a very long time and it was on my list of things to do this summer. So on Sunday, August 11th, off we went to spend an afternoon picnicking and exploring the Arboretum. The kids wanted to do all the things they'd remembered doing before- the rock hopping, the rock river, rope bridges, and so forth in the Children's Garden. I kept thinking, gosh they're getting older, but this stuff is still fun for them and I loved it! And then I kept thinking of all the times we'd been here when they were younger...this sent me on quite the trip down memory lane. And of course I could remember all these past flashbacks, all the toddler days, the wet days, the chubby cheek days, the let's just sit down right here days...oh, my heart.
One comment Daniel made and the look on his face at this moment really had me nostalgic for the younger days, it was so funny and a little heart-wrenching. He'd simply stood there at the rock river, watching/helping Annabel dam the river, watching all the other little kids help, too, and I saw this dawning hit his face. In his wise very-nearly-11-year-old age he said, "I don't think you can ever stop this water. It can't be done." I laughed and said well you've spent
years trying, that's for sure, but no, you're right, not with these rocks, though you did once get pretty close. It was a bittersweet moment for sure. This moment when he grew up. This moment when he stopped trying, when he stopped believing. (He did keep helping Annabel though, sweet brother.) You'll never feel as tall as when you're ten. I think about this ALL the time. It's a poem from a book my mom gave us called
I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups, by Chris Harris. It's my favorite poem in the book and brings tears to my eyes every.single.dang.time it comes to mind. I always tell my kids...keep believing, don't stop trying, don't let the will-bes turn to may-bes turn to won't-bes. Just go for it!
Anyway, the day sort of just got more nostalgic for me from there. In that vein, I've crafted this blog post in much the same way my mind was working that day, these images floating through my train of thought at each stop around the Arboretum. It was a fun trip down memory lane and a really wonderful day of play and fun at the Arboretum that day- one that I'll treasure...because I think these kids are getting older, darn it.
First stop was a picnic lunch.
Daddy snuck cupcakes into our cooler!
Fun Daddy Award for sure!
Photo op on the giant rock by the picnic area- cute pic, too!
The Arboretum had a limited time Lego exhibit running this summer. We were glad we finally made it! (Though they did this same/very similar thing a few years ago, too.)
There was a photographer standing near these flowers and he pointed out to everybody how there was a new butterfly down there, as well as a caterpillar getting ready to morph. So cool!
Blast from the past #1-
Annabel standing by flowers of the same color!
We did the hedge maze next. Annabel always loves to do this. I think she likes leading, she likes the adventure, the mystery, the challenge, and the success at the end. Very cute.
We made it!
Blast from the past #2-
We made it then, too!
Mother/daughter selfie!
Ben and I challenged the kids...
we didn't think they'd still fit in this little house.
They did. Too cute!
Blast from the past #3-
Little Annabel in that same house.
They even still fit together!
Blast from the past #4-
Love the little snuggle!
Ben wanted Lion to get in this house, too.
Daniel hesitated, but agreed that Lion would think that was fun.
They even still fit in this chair together, too!
Next was rock hopping at the little pond! Always a fun stop.
Blast from the past #5-
The kids have always LOVED coming here-
there's something daring about hopping rocks like this.
Then we went to what the kids have always called the rock river- because there are tons of rocks to pick up and move around and we always take shoes off and play here!
Here's that look of Daniel's that I mentioned (click the picture to make it bigger and really see what I mean!). That moment of disbelief and dawning realization that Daniel had- that you can't actually dam this little river with these rocks. I actually can't believe I caught the look, but that was it. His eyebrows rose, his eyes had this look, and I knew then...things are changing.
This is the poem that makes me cry. The one I think of often. You're never as tall as when you're ten, indeed. Anything is possible when you're younger. But my greatest wish- May it still be possible for my kids as they get older...don't lose the magic and the hopes and dreams, my dears.
Blast from the past #6-
Oh my gosh, these tiny kids!
And what is it about little kids carrying big rocks?!
I remember I always feared for their toes!
My nearly 11 year old boy. Love this sweet snapshot. Another new fave.
Annabel thought it was hilarious to kick-splash water at us.
Clearly she was tickled! Love this laugh!
Adventuring on these rocks and in the areas behind here has always held great appeal.
They can climb up these giant acorns on their own now!
Blast from the past #7-
More tinies!
(And that's Delilah with Annabel- too cute.)
The mister is very effective at getting one wet!
Final blast from the past...two of my topmost favorite pictures ever.
(Did you know? There's a search box to the left in the navy blue bar at the top of the blog. You can type anything up there and it will search our blog for related entries. Try "Arboretum" for your own blast from the past! You're welcome!)
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