The Elizabeth River Park reopened this past weekend, after being closed for extensive renovations, and we were there to check it out! The park is a unique one in the area, with a special focus on boating and outdoor watersports -- the boat landing there on the Elizabeth River is famous because it leads right to the Hot Ditch, a famous fishing spot in the HRVA area. Besides the improved landing, there's now a snack shack, large picnic area, playground, and small fishing/crabbing pier.

Probably the coolest thing about the park though is that it sits right in the shadow of the new South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. The bridge, which is almost 170 feet tall, allows the huge ships from the shipyard across the river to pass right under, providing a really spectacular sight. The old vertical-life bridge still stands, which is also pretty neat to see. The new bridge features a pedestrian walkway and I have plans to walk it in the future sometime -- it's supposed to provide some of the best views in the area!

We spent the day playing and fishing from the pier -- James and A. caught crab or two apiece (but we tossed them back, too small). I can already tell this is going to be a good summertime destination for us!
 

Let's Go Outside!: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature by Jennifer Ward

Imagine Childhood: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination, and Play by Sarah Olmsted

I received a ton of books for Christmas, most of which are waiting on my bedside table to be read. But I did find the time over the winter break to dip into two of them aimed at getting kids outside to play (a constant struggle in our house).


Let's Go Outside is the simplest of the two -- it's basically just a practical list of 52 projects and activities to do outdoors. From instructions on fort building to ideas for nature walks to rules for games you probably played as a kid but forgot all about (Sardines, anyone?), it covers all seasons and weather (we can't wait for some snow to try the DIY snowshoe project). Probably my favorite part of the book is that it grows with the child, adding ways to take each project further for different skill levels. (Example: While the little ones search for ladybugs in the grass, big kids are encouraged to keep a field guide comparing the different species of ladybugs they find and marking down special characteristics).

Imagine Childhood is more for the craftier set, as the focus is on making things using ingredients found in nature or celebrating nature -- earth houses, flower wands, or four seasons capes. There's a lot of text describing the importance of outdoor activity and memories of play pulled from the author's own childhood, which I admittedly leafed past, but the photos are gorgeous and inspiring. Some of the 25 projects are in-depth enough to make them more for the older set -- six to ten-year-olds, maybe? -- but I've earmarked a few for Anouk and me to try (we're definitely building tents in the backyard this summer -- they'll be perfect for Let's Go Outside's moonlight story time).

Did you get any new reads for the holidays? What are your favorite ways to get your kids outside?

(Speaking of getting out of doors, over at Fun and Free Hampton Roads, I blogged about FREE admission to the Norfolk Botanical Garden until January 19. Check it out!)

On a chilly trip to the beach last week, I left the sand toys at home in the hopes of keeping Anne out of the water (she always ends up drenched while filling her bucket and it was really too cold for that). Instead, I slipped a paint-with-water book that she got for her birthday and a few brushes into our beach bag. It was a huge hit, and kept her happily entertained on dry land long enough to soak up some precious vitamin D. 

What outside-the-box activities keep your kids occupied at the beach? Let us know in the comments or drop me a line if you're interested in possibly sharing in a guest post. 

This week at Fun and Free Hampton Roads, I'm writing about free events that are happening this weekend as a part of the 2014 NATO Festival, including the Parade of Nations and the NATO International Village at Town Point Park, and about the free Healthy Kids Day event happening at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads locations (a great chance to experience some of what the Y has to offer without being a member). Click on over to check them out and have a happy weekend!

Today it's wet outside, and also pretty hot, and we've already had one very public, very awful diaper blowout at the library about one minute after playgroup started that involved not only a diaper change but a change of clothes for me and Anouk both. So basically: today is turning out to be the kind of day where you just cut your losses and retreat home and haul a bucket of water out onto the deck and break out the tray of ice boats you've been saving for a day just like this one.

Ice boats are such a simple yet genius idea that I am almost tempted to try and take credit for them, but alas, I cannot tell a lie, I learned about them from Under the Pecan Tree. Here is how it goes: fill an ice tray with water. Then fill the water-filled tray with small plastic toys. Freeze so that the toys are encased in ice like Han Solo in carbonite. I can't even believe I bothered to type that out, that's how easy it is.


But it was also a big hit, and though we are wetter overall, we're less sweaty, Baby A. got in some fun sensory play, and Mama got to sit and put her feet up for a bit. Maybe today is turning itself around, after all?