Photos by Anna Van Devender unless otherwise stated. Escaping the Southern Arizona heat in June is a Van Devender family tradition. Driving to Yellowstone in Summer ’23 was by far the furthest road trip we’ve tried. My husband and I Read more…
Tag Archives: nature play
Weather forecast for Northern Arizona: 100% chance of snow on Jan 1, 2023. In the days leading up to our family’s December 31, 2022 departure, my husband and I exchanged weather websites, nervous looks, and turns with the kids. I Read more…
On a recent sticky August morning, I waded through the mint to look for zucchini and corn. Despite the memes about abundance appearing on my Facebook feed, I found exactly one zucchini fruit. Season total: three. The corn patch that Read more…
Plenty of things about Disneyland make me happy: the thrilling rides, the delicious food, the artistic details at every turn, my 9-year-old’s joy while hugging a wookie, my 12-year-old’s awe after viewing the fireworks. Our family navigated Disneyland this summer Read more…
Overheard about snow near the end of February, 2022… “It’s soft.” “It’s like a sponge, a snow sponge.” “Mom, we found a stalagmite, I mean a stalactite.” “It’s like cotton candy.” “OK, we can just snack on snow cones.” Read more…
No matter how many times I hear the gentle song of mourning doves, the sound transports my mind elsewhere. Poof! I am standing in my late grandparents’ lush, Central Phoenix backyard, my happy place throughout childhood and young adulthood. Mourning Read more…
Water, thank you! You helped gather kids from half a dozen families around a little tub of toys on a nearly-100-degree morning, to splash, giggle, and even share. You sustained tomato plants I thought were done for, with the help Read more…
They’ll remember the ladybugs. Surprising, appearing at their fingertips, camouflaged yellow among the dry, yellow coriander. The planned lesson on seed collecting turned into ten minutes or more of catching ladybugs. Gentle holding, wide-eyed discovery, calm assistance to friends, sharing Read more…
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