When it comes to relaxing with wee ones, well, it's difficult. But somehow we managed to take advantage of a long weekend with the Sunflower School families for an overnight trip that was just that - relaxing (
okay, a maybe just a little bit). With only a short car ride, and only one night, it seemed like so much less pressure than a big vacation. We all converged at the pioneer village of
Spring Mill State Park, fairly early in the morning and spent the entire day goofing off and perusing the buildings. (
Excuse the many pictures, but it was just so beautiful.)
Seriously, I can't get enough of nursing this child on historic porches.
It was safe for the kids to run around and play "pile up," and they were ecstatic to be together again after starting kindergarten at different schools this fall. It was precious to see them feel so at ease with each other, nary a squabble the whole time.
It was also a not-so-secret way to get to spend time with these wonderful
adults, and we did sneak in a few conversations in-between chasing kids around. We even had wine on the porch of the inn that evening, while the kids played blacksmith. We even chatted in the lobby after bed-time with the help of the baby monitor. I feel so lucky to have found these friends and families and sometimes can't believe it's true.
Our family snuck away for a hike the next day to see a stand of virgin forest, a true rarity in the Eastern U.S. There's something so grounding for me about being in the presence of really ancient trees that feeds my soul.
After tracking down the rest of the group, the big kids led us on a hike around a gorgeous lake using their "maps."
It was the perfect, slow kick-off to the fall season. Happy autumn to you and yours!
