The Last Day of Summer Vacation

Three boys in the brook.

For our last hurrah before school started back up, I packed a picnic on Tuesday and took the boys to Monkey Park. (I don't know why it's called Monkey Park. There are no monkeys. I tried to find the history of the name but with no luck. Anyway, that's where we went). There is a smallish creek called Rocky Brook where the boys could wade and sometimes there is a little train that gives free rides around the park, but not on Tuesdays at lunchtime. It's a fun time-warp kind of park with funky cement structures and old-school metal slides and whatnot (using "whatnot" makes me sound like my grandpa). 

 

Daniel was on the move the whole time we were there. He didn't want to go in the water which surprised me a little but he definitely did his share of running. 

Running

And a good bit of climbing.

Climbing.

But his favorite hang-out was the blue elephant.

See what I mean about "funky cement structures"?

Nate and Danny rode on the concrete elephants and pretended they were elves on oliphants (Yes, my children have watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Many times). Nate was Legolas.

We saw all sorts of wildlife like this tiny frog that Seth caught:

Tiny little frog.

 And the salamander and fish that Joel didn't catch.

Joel trying to catch fish.

We also saw, dragonflies, squirrels, birds and a couple of butterflies.

Butterfly

There wasn't too much sitting around, but it was really hot. So there was a need for a little bit of cool down time.

Seth and Nate take a breather.

 And of course the little creek was very much appreciated by sweaty little boys.

Joel liked running in the water and getting all splashy.

Then it was time to go home. So we went.

Going, going, gone.

It was a good day.

They are growing up too fast.
They aren't so little anymore.
I need to enjoy these days while I can.

Tiniest acorn I have ever seen.