"Now this is what I'm talking about."

That's what Hadley said when we first made it to Montrose Park.  Through out the afternoon, children made many observations about the nature all around them.   For example when we came upon the tree and the rock pictured to the right: 
    Vivienne - That's wicked.
    Ellee - Because the tree doesn't get any soil and the rock doesn't get any sun.  

Here's some of the other things we heard as we walked down to the river:
    Vivienne - I hear those things that come at night.... crickets.
    Prater - I hear nuts and acorns.  I hear trees blowing.
    Grace - I heard rocks....they plopped in the water. 
    Vivienne - I can make a wish with this rock.
    Max - I have a leaf to make a wish with.
    Vivienne - This doesn't seem like a park.
    Jill - What does it need to seem like a park?
    Vivienne - A playground.    
      (Luckily, the playground was our next stop.)

Ellee showed us where Chipmunky lives and children gathered acorns for him.  When  we were down near the water, we saw (without getting to close!) a dead animal.  As we walked past to  head to the playground area, Grace said, "I"m sad about the dead thing.  It's sad for him.  Sad that he had to die."   We were impressed with the empathetic responses  to the natural world that children demonstrated today.  Enjoy the slide show and have a wonderful weekend!