So after my last post on child's play I thought I'd write about "the best outdoor toys" in the history of our family. By far, at least in Anna's mind, is the Zip Line!! We are a fortunate bunch to live on about 3 acres and have ginormous trees and have a child that is able to climb big ladders! But I think other families could take advantage of a zip line even without some of these things. Our neighbors with much younger children have a zip line that is closer to the ground to
accommodate feet touching. This picture of ours is a bit deceiving, Anna's feet don't really come that close to the ground.
The exercise benefit of this is great, too. Cause after you zip down, you have to pull the handles back up to the top!
Our most recent outdoor toy purchase is called a
Twizzler. It is a handle bar that is attached to a rope. It also is hung from a tree but I'm thinking it could be hung from anything just so it hangs five or more feet off the ground. Sorry I have no picture yet but it is really a pretty simple toy that packs a big punch. If you hate amusement rides like The Tea Cups at Disney then this toy is not for you.
Really, this toy is not so much for me! Two spins and I feel like I'm going to throw up! The first time I was on it I had just finished a big salad - not good! But, believe me, kids LOVE it! Anna will spin herself over and over and still come back for more. Added bonus, it will also swing you while you spin. Big plus - it was $25 dollars! Cheaper than the amusement park!
Our other favorites for outdoor play would include: fort/tree house, wiffle ball/baseball, mud, butterfly net, scooters, dirt, water hoses, sidewalk chalk (simple, but versatile), sand, pogo stick, slip and slide (which Christian says is the "best for playing pickle" because it creates a lot of mud) and rocket balloons!
One last toy to mention that Anna received at Easter. It is called a Sky Ball and is about as big as a softball. This baby will bounce about 30 or more feet in the air! Even on its second or third bounce! Not sure about Anna but I am in love with it!
I think we have 2 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore, 2 freshmen and Anna on the team. They all show great leadership abilities and it was obvious at this event. Below is Anna leading the "tramp war" games.
I think Anna enjoyed the feeling of power that leadership brings!! The only down side of the evening was lack of sleep! She says she is looking forward to next year's sleepover. I'll remind her to take a nap before the festivities begin!!
Now I am sure that many of you are skeptical thinking that you have had good toasted bagel sandwiches at other establishments. But these are not toasted, my friend. They are steamed and believe me after eating one of these beautiful steamed creations you will be thinking about them for the rest of your life. The Bagel Shop has an enormous menu of sandwich concoctions. I seem to always order my own combination - onion bagel with turkey, swiss cheese, banana peppers, onions, tomatoes, and honey mustard! Makes my mouth water! Also, the Miami Bagel - blueberry bagel with cream cheese and cinnamon sugar- is one that everyone needs to try. Because it is a Miami tradition.
Since there is not much seating at the Bagel Shop you probably will want to get your bagels to go. My suggestion is to take them to the little park in the square. Enjoy them. Then let the kiddos burn off some calories while running through the fountains.
Anna and Bill were the experts at finding the live animals. Leave it to me to find "the dead and fossilized ones". Here is a little newt in Anna's hand.
This one is a little crayfish. Bill has the talent of picking up just the right rocks with these little guys underneath. Anna held one but this is a pic of a bigger one in the water. Anna wouldn't hold the big ones.
Finally, our toad friend. Actually, we had many toad friends for the day. Anna named each one. I think this is Hoppy. Maybe its not Hoppy. They all looked quite a bit alike. We also saw many snakes and one deer. I'd say we loaded up on treasure during this adventure!!
We had a lot of fun exploring. Some parts were deep enough for Anna to throw in her tube and relax. She was able to relax after we forced her to tolerate the four inch fish which swam within. Mercy.
She had a great time once she conquered her fear of what awaited her in the deep, deep water(about three and half feet!!!).
Most of our time at the park was spent looking for wildlife, fossils and enjoying the great outdoors. Next post - part two with all of our treasures.
Actually, they had to do major surgery on an old baseball injury. Actually, that is partially true. Since he has thrown so many pitches over the years to Number One Son and his teammates seems like Bill had a little somethin' goin on with his elbow.
The rings were not kind to Bill. Bill, who does twenty chin ups a day and is in better shape than any 51 year old man that I know, was taken out by the rings at the waterpark. And, now, he is sporting stitches, half cast and bandage. And, sadly, will not be able to do his beloved chin ups for a long, long time.
Thought I'd share this pic of the kiddos. It was Anna's birthday and we were headed out for lunch so I snapped the three amigos together sporting their HUGE sunglasses. They think they are so cool keeping with the popular trend, but what they don't realize is that I had the VERY SAME sunglasses in the 80s!!!
The exercise benefit of this is great, too. Cause after you zip down, you have to pull the handles back up to the top!
Our most recent outdoor toy purchase is called a Twizzler. It is a handle bar that is attached to a rope. It also is hung from a tree but I'm thinking it could be hung from anything just so it hangs five or more feet off the ground. Sorry I have no picture yet but it is really a pretty simple toy that packs a big punch. If you hate amusement rides like The Tea Cups at Disney then this toy is not for you.
