Gardening

 Most of our field trips happen outside of our home, but yesterday we had a field trip to our backyard! Liam, Joe, and I spent the afternoon planting a little garden in a raised bed. Liam had so much fun helping dig holes, plant the seeds, pick where everything would go, etc. Even Maizy got in on the fun! I have a feeling she knows that food to steal is in her future.

Since re-evaluating our finances and family goals at the end of 2011, we have become far more focused on being sustainable, inexpensive, and healthier. Planting our own herbs and vegetables seemed to fit all of these goals. I know planting a garden is not a new idea or an amazing feet, but for our little family it was fun and exciting.

Before planting, there was a lot of preparation. Joe built the raised bed (w/o a kit!), we made several trips to several stores to pick out the produce we wanted to plant (Liam did most of the picking), and I made Popsicle stick markers for each of the things to be planted. Every step of the way, we enjoyed making decisions as a family.

As the garden grows, I hope that Liam's love for nature gets stronger and that he will learn to be focused on making his life better and more productive, rather than focusing on material things and money. We have a whole new outlook on life, and we want to share that with our little guy.

The Oregon Zoo

 Every year my family takes several trips to the Oregon Zoo. It is inexpensive, educational, and fun. We have opted to purchase a zoo pass since Liam was born. This is a great idea if you plan to visit often, as it pays for itself within a few visits. My husband decided to take yesterday off and the weather was wonderful, so we took the opportunity to visit all of the animals that Liam is so interested in. 


This trip was a bit different than times past. Liam is now getting old enough to walk long distances and to listen to our directions. This made it possible for him to walk for the first two and a half hours of our three hour time at the zoo. We thought that this would equal a wonderful nap, we were mistaken (but that's another story).

The Oregon zoo is a wonderful place to take kids (or adults) of any age. There are many animal exhibits, shows that are entertaining, hands-on activities that are educational, and miles of outdoor walking. Because the park is so spread out, yet easy to navigate, it's easy to find just the exhibits you are looking for or roam the whole park. There is also a train that runs regularly that circles the park and is a great way to take a break from all the walking.


In the summer the zoo hosts several outdoor concerts that are family friendly, yet offer some adult options. These concerts do cost extra even for a zoo pass holder and are usually scheduled on Saturdays. However, there are also many summer activities offered that are free to members and are included in any purchased ticket. These activities include smaller concerts, special workshops for specific animals, arts and crafts, etc.



In the winter the zoo decorates the entire park with holiday lights. Some are in the shape of the animals on display, some are animated, and some are just plain pretty. We attend the zoo lights at least once a year to walk the park, see the animals, eat an elephant ear, and drink some hot chocolate. In my opinion, this is also the best time to take the train ride. If you take a ride on one of the zoo light evenings, the lights are just about all that you can see from the train cars. It's beautiful!

We love the Oregon Zoo!

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