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Mud, Mud, Mud

March 11, 2015 by admin
As Spring teases about its imminent arrival, we are reminded of some of our favorite “get ready!” posts and some “welcoming this new season” tips:
- Spring cleaning! The want to open all the windows and clean everything strikes quickly. Don’t forget about that often neglected washing machine.
- Tune up your bicycles. A season tucked away in your garage or chained up outside always leaves a bike needing some tlc. Check the tires and chains. Adjust the seat and handlebars for your growing kiddos. Make sure those helmets still fit properly!
- Mud. It’s everywhere. Embrace it and allow those kiddos to get messy.
- Speaking of mud – your dog will get dirty.
- There is so much joy in just being outside. Follow the hyperlink for some of our favorite springtime activities.
- Unplug. Take the time to embrace the changing of the seasons. Turn off those phones and disconnect from technology for a bit. Breath.
This is such a tremendous time of year and we hope you fully enjoy the arrival of warmer weather!
Category Rambler Ramblings | Tags: , Biking, family, Outdoors, simple solutions, unplugged | Comments Off on Mud, Mud, Mud
If You Build It, They Will Come

July 20, 2014 by admin

We recently embarked on a day trip to the Myrick Hixon Ecopark located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Just over two hours from our home in Madison, it was a very easy drive.

The Ecopark is nestled within a much larger park with access to hiking, biking tails, and a dream park play structure. The Ecopark has a large welcoming center with live animals, building blocks, arts & crafts, reading areas, snack tables, a small gift shop, and clean restrooms.

Tip: At the moment, the Ecopark is free of charge. But there are rumors there will be an admittance fee once construction is completed.

We quickly made our way outside to explore the Ecopark’s playscapes. Many of these areas are still under construction. But each playscape is partially erected and completely open to the public. There is more than enough to make the trip worthwhile as it stands now.

We were drawn to the forest scramble and Bluey and Plum immediately began the climb up the ropes to the first level of the tree house structure. We had a great time crossing the bridge and enjoying the views from the tipy top.

Then, we made our way to the prairie mystery. Even though we had fun following the paths and finding our way through the growing grasses, it was definitely a playscape that will improve as it evolves. There isn’t much to a maze that offers direct sight of all the paths, the entry, and exit.

Finally, we visited the wild water. Bluey and Plum really loved this area. You can manipulate metal dams and use rocks and mud to try and change the flow of the water. A gentle mist emits from a large standing spray feature, which keeps you cool as you explore.

Tip2: If you’re like us and get there early, you may have to activate the water in the wild water playscape area. Just press the blue post at the top of the river.

We ended our adventure playing at the dream park. Then we had a quick return to the Ecopark welcome center to use their restroom to wash up, and we were on our way home.

Next visit, we’ll bring a picnic lunch (there are picnic tables everywhere) and our bikes to make it a full day exploration!

Category Jaunts | Tags: , kids, Nature, Outdoors, Parks, Science, unplugged | Comments Off on If You Build It, They Will Come
You Dirty Dog!

March 30, 2014 by admin

Spring has finally sprung! (We hope!)

If you have a dog, then spring brings muddy feet, muddy tails and various seeds and such caught in the fur. Your fuzzy friend has become a mucky, smelly mess.

For some, this means scheduling a trip to the dog groomer to get your puppy cleaned up and smelling nice. Sometimes the cost of a groomer is prohibitive. Other times you find that the day after you take the pup to the groomer, she decides to roll in a dead fish at the park.

If you don’t want to trash your bathroom giving your furry friend a bath, you may be looking for someplace else to wash your dog. It’s still too cold to hose her down in the yard, but there is a great solution out there- find a self-service dog-wash.

There are several of these businesses in our area- just google ‘dog wash’ for a list. We found a great one at Dog Lovers.

Dog Lovers has two raised tubs to wash your dog. There are movable steps to help your dog get safely in and out of the tub. They offer shampoo, towels, and cotton balls for ear cleaning (though you can bring your own supplies!). The bath has a temperature controlled hose and leash clips if needed. For after bath, they have a grooming table and brushes available for you to use at no additional charge.

We had a great experience there. Bluey used the steps to get in on the washing project, and we were able to get our Moo good and lathered up before rinsing her off.

Tip: Since Dog Lovers is also a full scale groomer, they offer reasonably priced additional services, like nail trimming, if you find you need to further pamper or care for your pup.

For just $8 we went home with a clean, happy dog. We had a fun time taking care of her without worries about clogging our tub drain or trashing our bathroom.

Category Rambler Ramblings | Tags: , Pets, Savings, simple solutions | Comments Off on You Dirty Dog!
The Guy Who Came In From The Cold

January 7, 2014 by admin

Winter is upon us and we love to head outdoors for snowy fun. But eventually those toes are cold, the cheeks are frost-nipped; and it is time to come indoors. When kids stomp in from the snow, they want to be warmed up quickly. So here’s what we try to have on hand to swiftly bring the coziness, and restock our energies for the next round of winter fun.

Hot Cocoa: Around October 1st, we start buying cocoa every week, whether we needed it or not. If friends are over, a single box of cocoa won’t last very long. You can even make cocoa by the pot on the stove (which is what TRGrandma used to do).

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese: Keep the ingredients for this classic warmer at the ready. The kids will be hungry after playing in the cold. Pre warm the soup, and preassemble the sandwiches, if you want them to be prepared super quick. (Remember: don’t leave the stove on while you are out sledding!)

Warm Dry Clothes: Take a minute before you set out into the cold to get a set of clothes ready for when you return. Then it’s no muss/no fuss! A quick change and you are already feeling warmed up.

A Cozy Blanket: We keep our favorite coziest blankets at the ready for snuddling!

A Place to put all the wet clothes and shoes: If your home has a mudroom, you’re in luck! If not, create a functional space in your house. We lay a bunch of towels down in the dining room and use a few chairs to hold things to dry (a folding drying rack is great for this- if you have one). Line up gloves and upside down boots along the radiators to warm up. Then at the end of the day, clean up is a snap as we toss the towels in the laundry and put away the now dry coats and mittens.

Category Get Outside! | Tags: , good eats, kids, Outdoors, simple solutions, togetherness, Winter | 1 Comment
Digital Detox Week

April 26, 2013 by admin

This post is by regular contributor Brenda Winter Hansen of write again.

Unless you live in a very remote place (are there any left?), it’s pretty difficult to get away from technology these days. We use it for work, communication, entertainment, and education. A lot of people (sadly, I’d bet on most) spend way more time looking at a screen than checking out the natural world outside their window. Sure it’s a choice, but when it comes to raising well-adjusted children, it’s a parent’s responsibility to make the healthiest choices possible, and we all know by now that too much screen time isn’t good for the developing brain.

Unfortunately, according to a 2011 New York Times article, our children’s digital and screen time consumption has only gone up. A 2012 Science Daily article discusses the mounting evidence of health risks associated with too much screen time, citing that negative impacts kick in after as little as two hours a day. A disturbing notion when the average North American child is in front of some kind of screen nearly eight hours a day.

Screen-free Week first started in 1994 as a way to encourage people to use electronic screen media responsibly. Its name and supporters have evolved in the last decade, but the idea remains the same: turn off the media and turn on life! Ideally this includes: cell phones, computers, tv’s, gaming devices, you get the idea. For many parents who rely upon technology to negotiate the landmines of parenting, this is a huge challenge. Even in my own household where we’re very modest consumers of screen time, I balk at the idea of giving up my computer and smartphone for a week.

This year April 29-May 5 is Digital Detox Week, and if you can stop using all of it for a week, go for it. But, if you don’t think you could possibly do without all of your tech, I propose a compromise. Take an honest look at how much you and your children consume and decide what you can cut out or reduce. Make it hurt a little so you actually get a sense of living without it. Start with social media for you and maybe video games for your kids. If your household is really into tv, just unplug it. That’s the easiest to cut out. Be prepared with alternatives: books, games, crafts, parks, field trips, hiking, museums, keep a family journal of the experience. Build in some support and do it with another family so it’s easier to get through the week. If you really need an incentive, plan a digital-free, but fun reward for whoever can go the whole week without digital technology gets their favorite meal. The greatest possible outcome is for everyone to realize that their lives will be richer if they moderate their digital interactions.

The irony of blogging about this is not lost on me, but let’s be realistic. Digital is not going away until the Apocalypse, but it’s more important than ever that our children learn how to interact with other people and their environment. So unplug and go play in the mud!

Category Get Outside! | Tags: , Brenda Winter Hansen, Outdoors, unplugged | Comments Off on Digital Detox Week
It’s So Great To Get Back In It!

April 16, 2013 by admin
Back in what? The outdoors!

After a long, cold winter, Spring is finally beginning to get sprung here in the Midwest. We find our Bluey and Plum running outdoors whenever they get the chance. We love that our kids are happy to play outside.

Bluey and Plum are comfortable using the materials of nature, and other found objects, to create their own play spaces. And one of the best aspects of enjoying an outside romp – it’s free!

We strive to keep our house basically clean the vast majority of the time. But the Spring mud, a rambunctious dog, and kids that aren’t afraid to get dirty, all make staying clean indoors nearly impossible. How do we keep the outdoor muck, outside?

Here are TR’s Springtime tips:
- Rinse off as much dirt as possible before going inside. Use an outdoor water spigot. Or keep a small jug of water by the main access door.
- Create a designated shoe spot. We have a small bench that serves as the drop off point for muddy shoes.
- Put a small laundry bin right by the door. Wet socks, muddy hoodies (yep- that happens a lot around here), even shirts and pants can go right into the laundry, rather than dragged and dripped across the floors.
- Keep a dog towel by the door to tidy up your pup prior to letting it loose inside.
- Take water bottles outside to prevent too frequent trips inside for more drinks.
- Use another box, or small bin, to hold precious rocks and sticks that NEED to be kept. Sure, your kiddoes can keep them, but the sticks and rocks stay in the box. At least until they can be cleaned and dried.
- Wash hands as soon as you come inside! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Following these steps helps us keep the dirt out in the garden. And that allows us to enjoy being outside free of any worry or hassle.
Category Get Outside! | Tags: , kids, Outdoors, simple solutions, unplugged | Comments Off on It’s So Great To Get Back In It!
You don’t need anything commercial to find joy!

December 3, 2012 by admin

On an oddly warm day during this start of December, we ventured outside to explore. At the simple suggestion from we TR parents that perhaps our kids would enjoy working on a Teepee or wooden raft, they dived right into the project.

Our absolutely free supplies included: scissors, bright blue yarn (safe for birds to carry off into a nest), fallen sticks, mud, and fallen leaves.

Bluey wanted to attempt a Teepee. After a brief discussion about what a Teepee is used for, Bluey tried his best to create a triangular structure, tying his very own yarn knots. His design then veered into something more obscure, which he named a “Teepee-A.” It included a topper of a telescope for sun gazing. Plum also went to work on a Teepee, grew frustrated, and switched to making a raft. She then decided to attempt a smaller Teepee structure and finally found success!

We were most impressed with the creativity that this simple project stirred in our children. Plum wanted to somehow cover her Teepee, as she remembered that they are typically enclosed structures to keep occupants warm and safe. She suggested we get some cloth from inside. But then, after a few minutes of thought, Plum went off to find leaves and mud. She began wrapping her Teepee structure in mud covered leaves!

We spent about 1 and 1/2 hours working on the structures. Finally, we decided it was time for a break. We left everything outside for more exploring in the afternoon.

This delightful outdoor project cost us nothing. It allowed our kids to get fresh air, discuss the history of a Teepee, experiment with nature, and problem solve. Even if you don’t have a backyard space, you can go to your local park with scissors and yarn, and utilize any fallen branches to create a nature project of your own! Or look through your collection of arts and crafts supplies and see what inspires!

Category Get Outside! | Tags: , Art, Creativity, kids, Outdoors, unplugged | 1 Comment
It’s okay to play Dirty!

July 29, 2012 by admin

Don’t afraid to explore in the dirt! There are so many benefits, both physical and mental, to be had from this simple activity. Here are some of our recommendations for enjoying dirt:

Gardening: Our Plum has tended her own tomato plants from seedlings to fruit. When she recently discovered her first ripe tomato, she could hardly contain her excitement! Not only has she learned the science of caring for a plant, but she has provided food for the family table.

Digging: Our Bluey has a little patch of ground that he digs in enthusiastically. He plants yard sticks, digs holes, or just smashes the dirt around with his feet. It is his patch of dirt and he loves it.

Mud: Both kids thoroughly enjoy mud. It is squishy, cool, and moldable! Plum creates bowls that she bakes in the sun and then paints. Bluey creates houses and towers. Both activities allow for wonderful lessons about history and encourage research. Do people still create their homes and dishes from these materials?

Allow your kids to get messy. You are encouraging creativity, physical activity, and boosting their immune system! And we’d highly recommend that you throw out all those horrid antibacterial products. There are few messes they will make that simple soap and water can’t clean up.

Category Get Outside! | Tags: , Gardening, good eats, kids, Outdoors | 1 Comment
Parfrey’s Glen: Merrimac, WI

June 1, 2012 by admin

Less than an hour drive from Madison, you’ll find this delightful natural area: Parfrey’s Glen.

We consider it one of our top five favorite hiking spots. Parfrey’s Glen is beautiful, fun, and gives the kids a fabulous chance to explore.

But be warned! The trail has been significantly impacted by numerous recent floods. You’ll find a beginning stretch of paved trail, followed by packed gravel, and then dirt at best. This is not a stroller friendly trail. There are large bits of trail that are muddy, stony, and quite the scramble. You will be rock hopping across the river and you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on your little ones. Please don’t be deterred from embarking on a hike in Parfrey’s Glen. But do be careful!

There is a designated lot at the trail head as well as a park bathroom. Parfrey’s Glen is part of the Devil’s Lake group of State Parks. You’ll need a State Park Sticker for parking your vehicle, or you can put your day payment in a drop-box located by the bulletin board. The restroom is rugged and doesn’t offer a changing table or sink. There is a fun water pump at the start of the trail where you can get a sip of spring water, fill your bottles for the hike, or rinse off your hands and muddy shoes after your adventure. Parfrey’s Glen is very shady a great majority of the trail which makes it a fabulous choice for hot and sunny summer days.

Parfley’s Glen

Since the further up the trail you go, the more rock-hopping and mud-slopping you’ll do, we recommend bringing a change of socks and shoes for the trip back home. Who likes to ride in the car while wearing wet socks?

We saw an unbelievable number of butterflies, especially at the lower end of the trail. Bring your camera and your Field Guide.

And guess what? You can take a ferry to get to the Parfrey’s Glen area. And stop for ice-cream on your way home (again, see a later post).

This is nothing short of a great and memorable trip for your entire family!

Category Jaunts | Tags: , Hiking, State Parks | Comments Off on Parfrey’s Glen: Merrimac, WI