Up up and away

 

We just returned from a week long escape Up North.  This is our favorite tradition with Nanny and Poppy and I am so grateful for their generosity and bravery in hosting us.  

This year's weather was perfect so everyday was packed with activities and recreation. As a result there are piles of sand and rocks that are spilling out of 3 suitcases worth of laundry. 

 

This year we discovered Raven Hill Discovery Center and the kids are hoping to add this visit to our yearly traditions.  It was only a couple miles from Stonehedge Fiber Mill where we get our wool processed so I'm sure we'll be back.

The director of the center immediately encouraged me to release Naomi from her stroller and shared this quote :

BABIES are designed to learn.  Baby brains are  more flexible than adult brains.  They have far more connections between neurons, none of them particularly efficient, but over time they prune out unused connections and strengthen useful ones.  The adult capacities for focus, planning and efficient action that are governed by the prefrontal cortex depend on the long learning that occurs in childhood.  Far from being unfinished adults, babies and young children are exquisitely designed by evolution to change and create, to learn and explore"

Alison Gopnik Scientific America July 2010

It was a busy day of learning for Naomi for sure! And the quote is up in my kitchen reminding me to relax into the normal behavior and curiosity of young children and toddlers. 

The kids all enjoyed the frog pond near the cabin.  They caught lots and gently released them.  George asked about the possibility of eating them and instead of disgust I wondered at the closeness he feels with his food.  

Clara spotted a bull frog the size of a football and the surprise slipped her into a puddle of mud.  Then they were done.
  

William was all business with his schoolwork.  He did not let this time away distract him and the minute we were back at the cabin and late into the evenings and early in the mornings he was alert with an open book or laptop. 

I also happy to report that we have improved in our canoe skills.  We were swift and accurate in our paddling and no boat got stuck and no one complained.  Except for the one water fight between boats that soaked our younger passengers.  

What I remember most about Sleepy Bear Dunes is watching the wipe out contest.  Charlie especially, he flew down the steep dunes with propeller like legs. 

You can tell it was a great activity because I did not have to yell at anyone to smile.  Love this shot but regret that Naomi was not there to complete it.  She was sleeping back at the cabin with Nanny and Poppy.

Back at the cabin sweet Nanny participated in some fierce games of Sorry.  This went on for hours with only occasional tears. 

The apple season was not great this year but we tried any ways.  We barely got a half a bushel and after second inspection decided it would best be used as pig food. 

Now we are home and the kids are sorting and trading found rocks. The bathing suits and beach towels are headed into their final washing before storage.  It was a joy to squeeze a lot more of summer into just one week.  

Thank you Nanny and Poppy and thank you Michigan!