Nature Boys

Sadly Team Oster has gotten out of the habit of going on weekly hikes through the old forest. (Blame the mosquitos.) However, this morning, we woke up and couldn't resist getting out in this beautiful weather.


The forest floor is full of pawpaws and muscadines, fallen luna moths and cicadas, and gargantuan mushrooms. Butterflies are everywhere. Caterpillars are metamorphis-ing. It's an especially fabulous time to take a hike.

Today Jiro outed himself as a true nature boy, like his brother. He made a hat out of leaves, then he found a branch that reminded him of a person. Next he got the person a baby. Another stick was a pterodactyl. As we passed a thicket of branches he noted that he'd like to set up a tent inside the opening. A nearby hollowed out tree with sunlight shining down was going to be his reading spot. He picked up flowers and leaves along the way. One was heart shaped and he made sure to point it out to me. He also picked up an acorn and a rock. For a good half mile he had a pet caterpillar larvae. I felt like I was in a Boxcar Kids book!

As we walked home he told me that he wanted to draw pictures of his treasures as soon as we got home. He drew each item--an acorn, a rock, and a flower--with a little face. Then he erased all of the faces and said he wanted to draw them "for real." When he was happy with his drawings he set about finding a jar for them. I gave him a small tupperware. He put each item in and then marched out the front door to find more things to add.

Dang, I love that kid!