Last weekend, we had a few really fun “firsts”.
We celebrated the first Valentine’s Day my daughter will remember.
We got her Disney Princess chocolates that she had seen at the grocery store earlier in the week. The boy got a book about love. (I’m still not ready to give him his own candy, he doesn’t notice anyhow.)
Miss Z was amazed I had gotten the chocolates for her. When she opened them, she remembered them from the store and looked as if she couldn’t believe she had them in her possession.
She kept coming up to me with this look of overflowing love and would give me a big hug. One of the times she said, “I love my Valentine’s Day mommy!”
I feel as if this is the first time she made the connection that someone bought her something she really wanted. Watching her reaction to this realization was so much fun. And my darling girl was so loving all morning-I’ll take it!
Then we went on our first big Washington adventure of the year to the Olympic Game Farm, (more about that tomorrow.)
And since it was a long holiday weekend, we had my husband for an extra day. Luckily for us it has been incredible weather here in Seattle. For those of you that don’t know, sunny days in my part of the world, in February, are almost impossible to come by. We had several of them in a row. (I’m not trying to rub it in to those that are buried in snow, I swear!)
So the other day we took the kids to a great new park in our area. We had just been there the day before, so we thought we would explore a bit more. Turns out the park has trails that go all through a huge forest.
It was wide open, but there were still trees everywhere. The trails were all flat, perfect for the kids’ first nature walk.
Z was so excited, she was chattering the entire time. She kept talking about all the nature around her, and going on an adventure.
The little guy was having a blast running through, tripping on tree roots, hopping up, and doing the same thing over again.
Since it was so wide open, it was a nice relaxing stroll for the husband and I. We were thrilled to learn that both kids love the outdoors. (Next up, camping!!)
I’m looking forward to the next time we visit this park. We’ll go early, pack a lunch, and stay all the way up until naptime.
Does your family enjoy nature walks? Do you have any fun places close to your house that you like to explore?
mamabyfire 
This is so cute! Looks like a beautiful way to spend the weekend and I love your daughters reaction to her Valentine’s day gift. I didn’t do anything for the boys this year (fail), except blow up balloons and make pink lemonade and spend the day together, but that was good enough for them. My mom had gotten me a gift from them for them to give me and omg they were so adorable! They gave me tons of hugs and kisses and said, “Mom we gave you a happy Valentine’s day!!!” The best!! I felt bad I didn’t do more foe them but I don’t think they cared too much this year!
This was adorable! 😍
Sounds like a perfect day! I didn’t get anything for the kids last year, because they wouldn’t have noticed. And the only reason Ronan got a book is so he wouldn’t feel left out (his book is already in Zoe’s room 😆) Those boys of yours are just the sweetest!! And pink lemonade sounds so good!!
So sweet! I love getting my kids something they really want. I always feel bad when I say it’s 80 degrees in February here. But I love nature and going hiking. There are a few places to hike but I wish it were greener.
Haha-oh man! 80 degrees sounds so nice!
Aren’t holidays so much more fun when they finally “get it” and make sense of what is going on? My 2 year old just loved Valentine’s Day and opening her cards from everyone (we are a big card family!) I even got a great big hug and a “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mommy” before she went to bed. Made me just sob under the covers 😦 Sooooo sweet!
They are! I love it! I should have gotten cards for my kids too-that would have loved them. Your little girl sounds so sweet!!
THat is so neat when your kids understand gifts and the thoughtfulness behind them. I almost laid out the valentine’s gifts and said the valentine’s fairy brought them but changed my mind. I don’t want them thinking “fairies” just bring them presents. I want them to know we bought the gifts for them because we love them. Anyway…it was kindof my first real vday that they understand (like yours) so it was fun 🙂
They must have loved it!! It is fun-Like you, I wanted my kids to know why they got gifts in the first place. Because we love them!
I cannot tell you how jealous I am of your nature walk!! It is absolutely bitter here now. I am so over the cold. I DO like taking nature walks with my son when the weather gets nicer though. We did put on our cold weather gear earlier this week and walked around in the snow. My son loved it!
Lame! I hope the weather gets better over there soon! I do look forward to introducing my son to the snow though. He hasn’t really experienced it yet-maybe next year. All we’ll get for the ret of the season is rain with occasional sun.
Omg how cute!!!! Holidays are so fun once little safe old enough to remember:):)
I know!! I love it! 😄
We love going to the parks around our area. Not terribly much to explore but the weather is really nice right now and our little girl LOVES to run around as much as possible. I cannot wait until our daughter gets to the age where she starts making really connections to events. That is when the fun starts.
Oh, yes! My kids LOVE running around too-throw them in a big grassy field and they’re set! It has been so fun this year with holidays, I’m looking forward to when my son makes the same connections. It really is when the fun starts! 😄