Sometimes it's easy to open the door and step outside. Despite the beautiful weather, today it felt hard and like I had a million reasons not to. "I am tired. It might get too hot. I want to watch tv. I need to tidy the house. I want to read and relax. The washing needs to be done. The baby might get sun burned..." But once we did step out, we didn't come back in till late. Somehow I managed to get most of the things on that list done too - and toddler didn't get burned. Instead, he got wet and dry, and wet then dry. He ate dirt, threw sticks, ventured through the bushes, threw apricot pips, and poked a bug. All within five metres of his bedroom. We got some dirty 30s ticked off including one of my favourites - cook and eat dinner outside. Yum!
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Always an honourable mention in each edition of the Palmy Dirty 30 is #31 Be a tidy kiwi.
We try and maintain the philosophy of "leave it better than you found it". Did you know that the PNCC has a reporting app that can be used for reporting community issues? In particular:
More info here The evening was so beautiful so it was only right to ditch the work clothes, chuck on shorts and a helmet and get out for a bike ride.
Mr 1 was stoked. He loves going on bike rides. We hit the river pathway and headed down to the bike trails near the Albert St entrance. I timidly rode the pump track and got cheered on by my little boy. Some cool teens arrived so I decided to fade into the background rather than show off my sweet moves... We ventured deeper into the woods and stopped for a mini picnic. Toddler practiced running and jumping as well as saying "hi" to those that passed our little spot. We rode up to the Esplanade and back past the lagoon. We saw our friends, the Duck Army. Lots of cyclists, runners and walkers enjoying the heady summer evening. How lucky are we to have such a great river pathway to explore?? Go on a night walk.
It wasn’t truly dark but it was almost bedtime. The little one asked to go from a walk. I was feeling the same so we headed out. Down at the park, we found some friends. We had a swing. Then we went to our friends' and ate iceblocks and birthday cake. We observed their pet rabbits. Then we went home to bed. Neighbourhood adventures are fun. Neighbourhood friends are special. Today we participated in some organised nature time!
Me and my little guy headed out for a spot of Kanga with the lovely Ally from Kangatraining Palmerston North. We started at He Ara Kotahi and briskly walked the bridge loop with our little ones in carriers and/or pushchairs. On the way we stopped to do some body weight exercises for legs and arms, and work on our balance and flexibility. Oh and pelvic floor work (very important Mamas!). Some lovely yarns with some lovely Mamas. Next we headed to the Esplanade for a splash in the paddling pool. Always a good time. Today we brought a picnic lunch but the barbeques were in constant use by other families and the cafe seemed to be doing a roaring trade. The Esplanade is a great place to start and then simply see where your children lead you. Today we stuck to the pool but the train was running, the pond full of ducks (do not feed them bread!!), Wildbase always has exciting wildlife to learn about and observe, the bush walks are lovely, the orienteering course is permanent and the playground provides many adventures. Today we took a circuitous adventure. It started as a backyard sit while I destoned apricots and my little one tasted them and went on mini adventures with his penguin and a car. Then little one asked for a walk. No reason not to. My big one was immediately displeased to be removed from the couch so every few steps we would implore me "let's stop and sit down or go home". "Just a little bit further" I coaxed. Bearing in mind, we were only five minutes and about 200 metres from home at this point! We ventured slowly down to the river pathway and eventually made it home 4 hours later with both children full of joy, enthusiasm and a little bit of remaining energy. Here in Palmy, our river, Te Awa o Manawatu, provides a varied adventure. Today we headed down to a river bank clearing between Ruahine and Rumahanga. While my big one stripped off and read her book, my little one threw stones into the gently moving water. A little further down the river we heard a splash. We looked over to see bubbles wandering over the surface of the water. Then a splish-splash again. We ventured down to have a look. We spotted four fish - fish colour with some white tinges! We waded into the water a little for a closer look. We watched for a bit (mostly me as my little couldn't see them and big one wandered back to her book). My little guy decided he wasn't quite sure about the water continually moving over his feet so he happily accepted a pick up. Soon he was ready for more rock plopping. We moved back upstream and left our fishy mates to it. Our little one threw more stones and encouraged us to join him. We looked flat stones and tried to skim. We will keep practicing before we can tick this one off the list...
Snacks snacked, drinks drunk and many stones sploshed, we headed back up to the pathway. We took a long route home along busy Napier Road and via Pita Pit for an unexpected lunch out and the supermarket for dinner supplies. The quietness of the river pathway is so pleasant and the busyness of the road so noticeable. Still, I was in pleasant company. We stopped by two playgrounds on the way home for a "wee" aka swing. We would have stayed much longer but our little guy needed more food and I was keen for some shade and more water! Today we picked apricots and plums, practiced ladder climbing, tidied the yard, drove cars in the dirt, and became very interested in a new, old TEA20 Fergusson tractor. My parents back garden is the perfect place for an afternoon of adventures.
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AuthorI'm Kate. I have 3 children - 2 bios and a steppie, 1 under 5 and 2 tweenagers. I am determined to spend more time outside this year and share more of Palmy's wonderful places and free play activities. Categories
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