Fritz Loven

We subscribe to the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine—a little publication with a lot of pop when it comes to excellent info on Minnesota's great outdoors. Aaron picked up the most recent issue and latched on to an article about picnicking—something families did regularly prior to the invention of the TV. I have great memories of picnicking with my family growing up, and I actually have a collection of black and white photographs of my Great Grandma, Great Grandpa, and their children (my Great Aunt and Uncle, and Grandfather as children) all picnicking in the woods of MN.





So, all that said, Aaron and I decided to begin a new tradition and take the kids on a picnic at least once a week, making our way around our local state and city parks. We started with Friz Loven last night, and had a great time, though it started out a little rough . . .

We have begun to realize that Caleb often needs convincing when it comes to doing something out of the regular day-to-day routine. So he wasn't too game about going, at first. But once we arrived and he realized he was going to get to run wild in the woods, he was really game. Unfortunately, potty training put a damper on the start of the adventures and we ended up having to pull a diaper out of the car and let Caleb go pant-less due to over-excitement. Once we set up our picnic—fried chicken, ice-cold pickles, cheese, and fruit snacks, we were about to commence when Caleb fell off the picnic table bench and wrenched his shoulder. After the tears subsided and the limb was tested for strength and flexibility ("Raise your hand high over your head—really high—good!" Now, squeeze Mommy's hand really tight—super tight! Good!") and it was ascertained as whole and functioning, we continued with the picnic.










Once the crumbs were swept off the picnic blanket, we went for a little family hike down to the stream that flows through the park, looked for brook trout, and threw a few rocks into the water for good measure. The evening was relatively bug free (a minor miracle), and the evening sun filtering through the trees was absolutely glorious.

Overall—a huge success!

Now . . . where to next week . . .