It was the first day of a new session! In honor of having a new preschooler join us, we did something special : Today we went on a magical journey to a far away place. We took a bus to New Jersey. Didn't your preschooler tell you that? No? Well, we took this trip in our imaginations! Its amazing the places you and your child can go when you partake in a little child-led nature play. Take a look at what we did today.

Morning play time as all our friends arrive:

                                               [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8831","attributes":{"class":"media-image alignnone wp-image-290 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"257","height":"193","alt":"IMG_2415"}}]][[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8826","attributes":{"class":"media-image alignnone wp-image-289 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"258","height":"194","alt":"IMG_2413"}}]]

There is nothing better than a crisp pile of leaves for throwing and playing

 

                                               [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8841","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-292 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"225","height":"300","alt":"IMG_2419"}}]]What does F think about that cake?

            [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8846","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-293 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"225","height":"300","alt":"IMG_2420"}}]]P is baking up a storm!

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8836","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-291 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"306","height":"229","alt":"IMG_2418"}}]]A cake, fit for the King's Bakery!

 

Then we gathered our belongings and headed to Forest Camp:

 

We found some cool branches with yellow pine needles and bumps all over.

Do you know what tree they are from?[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8856","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-295 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"225","height":"300","alt":"IMG_2425"}}]]

Tamarack! A coniferous tree with needles that turn yellow and drop every fall![[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8851","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-294 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2423"}}]]

These branches make perfect bus tickets.

 [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8866","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-297 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2430"}}]]

All ABOARD!

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8861","attributes":{"class":"media-image alignnone size-medium wp-image-296 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2429"}}]]

Gotta fill up with gas, even when your bus runs on brain power.

We arrived in New Jersey! Let's Explore:

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8881","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-300 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2432"}}]]   New Jersey is a magical forested landscape.           [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8871","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-298 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2433"}}]]     Let's make a Fairy potion!         [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"8886","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-301 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"IMG_2421"}}]]     These droppings couldn't have come from this woodpecker...could they?         We decided to leave New Jersey because our parents would miss us too much. We took a plane back to Forest Camp, grabbed our bags from The Backpack Tree and ran off to meet our parents. Goodbye, New Jersey!