May 12, 2010

While I sit at my computer typing I can’t help but look out the window occasionally and wish I was outside enjoying the nice Spring weather. Alex, my 7 month old, gets pretty antsy too. If he could talk, I am sure he would sometimes ask to go play outside.

I have been thinking about taking Alex to one of the Honeybee Hikes at the Leach Botanical Gardens for quite a while now. Unfortunately Alex is usually napping at 10, so we miss the opportunity. Today he woke up from his nap at 9:30, I tossed his stuff in the car, and we were out the door. In my hurry to make it to the garden in time, we left his diaper bag at home. Oops! Luckily he did not need it this once.

The Honeybee Hike starts and ends at the Manor House at the Garden. Today’s hike was particularly full. I guess they had recently received some publicity, so they had more people than usual. The hike costs $2 per child and parents and non-walkers are free. Technically Alex and I would have both been free, but since it is a good cause and I don’t have any other kids, I paid for his spot on the walk. The other children on the walk were all preschool ages ranging from 4 months and up.

I carried Alex in a Baby Bjorn carrier. There were other babies in carriers and slings too. No one had any strollers on today’s walk, but strollers are welcome on the walks. I think my stroller may be a bit too wide for some of the narrow trails. The guide led the children and their parents through the garden pointing out plants, slugs, and other interesting stuff along the way. The pace was leisurely so all of the children were able to keep up easily. The hike finished at the pond and the Honeybee hives before heading back to the Manor House.

For the most part, the kids seemed to have a good time, though some of them did better than others. Alex had a good time, but we usually eat lunch around 11, so he got a bit grumpy when he started to get hungry. We left the other hikers at the pond and hurried back to the car, so I could get him home for lunch.

Hikes and other activities like playing at the Open Play sessions at Inflatable Kingdom, are great ways to burn off some of kids’ extra energy. After lunch, Alex was ready for a nap and went right to sleep. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one.

Leach Botanical Gardens holds Honeybee Hikes every Wednesday through September 2010 from 10 to 11 am. If you would prefer to take a walk through the garden at your own pace, the garden is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

View more photos from our hike on Inflatable Kingdom’s Facebook Page.

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