Today, we had our first family book day of the summer. We kind of love this little summer tradition that we have cooked up over the last few years. First, we choose a book and enjoy it together first thing in the morning. Then, we plan a day of activities inspired by the book.
Last summer, we loved A Bad Case of the Stripes, Thunder Cake, and How I Became a Pirate.
But, have you seen this beautiful book?
The book celebrates the beauty of being outside but also reminds us how often we forget it is there. So, we planned a day outside.
We started simply by checking in on our garden. We gave it a little water love, in addition to a little goofy smile love.
Then, we took off for the Denver Botanical Gardens. This is really a sweet place, and the kids and I have been visiting for a handful of summers now. Of course, Colorado is known for its sacred open space for which I am grateful. But, I like the feeling of being tucked into foliage with leaves brushing your arms or tickling your legs. I grew up in the midwest surrounded by woods and trees. I have the most wonderful memories of visiting this arboretum with my grandparents. Each time, I would come home with a new coloring book and color for hours. I still love to color, and I still miss trees like I miss my grandparents.
I digress.
The gardens are beautiful, of course!
My kids are pretty cute, too.
I packed two water color pads, water color paints, and water color pencils in my backpack as a little surprise. The best part of our visit was finding little spots to stop and create.
In addition to the larger, regular gardens, there is also a children’s garden. We played a little here, too.
Then it was time to head home. We did a few “teachery” things and then made a loaf of blueberry zucchini bread. I suppose it would have been more nature-like to eat the blueberries and zucchini plain, but why would you want to do that?
Dinner was a lemon-pea orzo and strawberries. Then, daddy suggested that we get smoothies for dessert. What says natural food more than strawberry syrup and frozen yogurt? Thank goodness for dads. They keep it real.
We wrapped up our evening with outdoor yoga and meditation on the couch in front of the television. So much for the outside in, right? We are having fun watching reruns of The Amazing Race where others are joyfully running through nature, too.
In all seriousness, it was a good day. We love book days.
Check this one out if you can. The illustrations are truly beautiful.
Harper was inspired.
Happy reading to you. Maybe tomorrow, you could take your book outside.
