Doodlebugs and more

We started the day with a play date with a new group called Doodlebugs. The idea behind the group is to get kids outside playing in local preserves and other green spaces. I love it! I do wish there were more of the get-togethers during times we could attend, but it's fun to find other families who value playing outside.

From the Meetup.com website:

"This is a group for families who want to wander through the woods once a week. We'll conduct bug hunts, climb trees, dig holes, splash in puddles, look for flowers and wildlife. Let's get out there and explore!"

Today we met the Blackwell Forest preserve in Wheaton, which Lilly, Shawn, and I have never been to.

"Let's meet at the North Shelter. From there we can access the Egret trail (.6 mile) loop. It is a nice grassy path through the prairie and the woods. Following our ramble, we can lunch at the shelter and explore the edge of Silver Lake. We might have some light rain, so bring rain ponchos and galoshes for all. Let's get out there, Doodle Bugs!"

It was supposed to go from 10 AM until noon, but by the time we got out the door and found our way through some construction detours, it was after 11. We were pleasantly surprised that we were actually only the third group to arrive out of five families! The kids entertained themselves / each other for about half an hour while the moms got reacquainted with each other. Then we went on a short hike exploring bugs and interesting plants. Then had a picnic lunch back where we started.  The weather was absolutely perfect for our outdoor adventure today. (Upper 70°F, blue sky, & Sunshine). Good thing too - I didn't come prepared for rain as the event description had suggested!

If we had gotten to Doodlebugs on time and if our adventure had started on time, we possibly could have made it to Gymboree in time for either Lilly's Level 1 baby class or Shawn's music class (depending on which we were in the mood for when we arrived). That was not the case. Plus, we were having too much fun exploring, so I didn't push the issue. We ended up missing all of Music & the babies' class as well as Open Gym and eventually arrived partway through School Skills! Normally, while Shawn is in class, another mom or two hang out with me in the waiting area and we chat until class is over. I guess everyone thought we weren't coming because when we arrived, the doors were locked and the kids were having class in the back room!  Luckily, Mr. Brian saw us through the window and let us in so Shawn could join the group. Within minutes, one of the other moms arrived and soon a couple of us were busy chatting away for the last few minutes of class as usual.

When class was over, we were supposed to meet Kristin, a Mothers & More friend, and her two school aged children, who Shawn had a lot of fun playing with on a previous outing to the Arboretum; however, those plans changed as well. Kristin sent me a message saying that her son was home sick from school with a sore throat and was hoping we could reschedule. At first Shawn was really disappointed to miss Wyatt and Sydney, but then a large storm cloud rolled in and unleashed a late spring rainfall. Not good for a zoo trip, but we were pleased that it waited until so late in the day to arrive so as not to interfere with our earlier plans!

It was a full day - even with one less activity!