Mother's Day Hike 2012

We have gone hiking every Mother's Day since that was a relevant concept in our lives.  This year Cal picked the hike and off we went with butterfly nets and binoculars in beautiful weather.  

We got really lucky this year and saw all manner of critters.  Cal spotted the first one...a tiny little turtle that were it not for his careful eye I am sure we would have walked right past this little guy.  I was just as excited as they were to see him.

The water was low enough that we got to walk over the top of a dam and explore a whole new part of the hiking area.  Both boys found that really exciting but especially Jude because it felt very 'big boy' to him.

As we were relaxing here (watching the waterfall created by the dam) we noticed a family of snakes.  Kieran and I were both really wary of them but the boys couldn't wait to get closer and see more.  New Jersey isn't exactly known for poisonous snakes so we were trying to let them explore without being spooked but keep enough distance to stay safe (just in case).  We even watched the snakes crawl through the rocks and swim in the water.  Callum was loving watching them and wouldn't leave the area until we couldn't find them anymore.  Kieran and I kept trying to gently encourage them to keep hiking mostly because we weren't crazy about the snakes...but they would have none of it.  Later K and I decided that we, ahem, aren't exactly "snake people".  To say the least.  They boys are, though, that much is clear.

We also saw chipmunks, inchworms, and loads of butterflies.  It was a critter heavy hiking day.  In general, the boys were so at ease.  Cal is especially confident and happy in the woods.  We have to watch both of them a little bit because they feel so comfortable they will scramble up a hill and explore before we realize where they are. 

Cal was really proud of this, he made a chair out of an exposed tree root.  Look at that face! I mean, what more could a mama want on her special day? It almost makes up for millions of times I have to say "BOYS! SORT IT OUT OR SEPARATE!"