Arbor Day!

Picture borrowed from SGcity.org

The City had a lovely little Arbor day activity at the Tonaquint Nature Center this week.  So being a motivated mom - I loaded up children, (before 9:30!) and set off for some service.  The center (city) was planting 150 trees around the trail and down by the river, to create even MORE magic for the place.  (It's quite enchanting, actually.) The property, which is nestled next to a cemetery, has a duck pond, and a rec center with a nice deck out over the water.  A little amphitheater and plenty of woodsy areas to enjoy, in the middle of the desert! So the boys and I adopted an older couple, Nancy and John and began to plant.  We did two big trees with our couple when I could see we might need to do smaller trees in a larger area, where we wouldn't lose Ashton.  He was quickly put in charge of picking up rocks and dropping them in the empty tree buckets.  Nathan helped me shovel, as did Ashton.  We planted about six trees when Ashton decided it was time to explore the marshy, muddy muck. 

Trees we helped to plant - a few days later.

[ I did not have my phone or a camera with me at the service project!!  AGHH! ]

So  we ventured over to the duck pond where a kids craft table was set out.  The kids made pine cone - peanut butter - birdseed bird feeders and hung them in a nearby tree with string.  As NQ made his bird feeder, Ashton went to the waters edge to enjoy harassing the birds.  He put his little red truck down, and not a minute later, inches from my son, was a curious little muskrat exploring the truck!  He seemed to be pretty tame and pretty harmless, so we watched the muskrat visit my son, as Ashton's attention diverted to the rock throwing.  He was amused by the ducks diving in after his rocks. But not long before a slew of kids saw the muskrat and he headed for deeper waters.

We went back a few days later - because it's such a fun spot!

After the craft we picked up our volunteer complementary hot dogs, chips, cookie and water.  We sat up on the deck, over the water and watched the water fowl.  (And threw most of the hot dog bun into the water. Better than rocks, I guess.) Another mom and boy from our neighborhood were there too, so we visited with them for a little while. At least until Ashton decided it run away from mom and hide time...

His feeder was still there.

As we went to leave we were allowed to take a baby pine or baby palm with us for our service!  So I picked a pine, and NQ a palm.  As I was driving away, I got the thought that I should turn around and see where I could buy some more little pines, as our yard could use a little pine culture.  So I did turn around, and I asked the crew where I could buy some of those little guys.  The guy who answered told me that the trees were grown at the city Tree Farm, so they weren't for sale, but that I could have a few more.  I told him great.  But If I could buy some, I could really use about 20 of them.  He thought for minute,  looked at his crew and said,  "Go load her up, boys."  So I got 25 additional little trees!  One of the city workers told me that I was saving them a lot of trouble, because they would have to go back and plant all of the little trees that hadn't been taken.  So he was happy to load me up!  YAY! 

HAPPY ARBOR DAY TO THE PETTY'S!  Home we went with the back of our vehicle loaded with baby trees!  And one palm.  Home we went and planted MORE trees!

Nathan was thrilled with the little trees, as was Ashton who stroked each of them before bidding them good night (for his nap time.)  I was thrilled with our score! I Sunburned my arms and face planting in our yard. NQ got sunburned jumping on the tramp with his favorite little pine in a pot watching him from close by.  Then NQ helped me water our new little friends.

After nap time (and a shower for me) we went to watch zip liners zip over a parking lot, near where we live.  Then we picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza and a mini Murph for NQ.  (he got to make his own at home.) Shane was home in time for pizza and the boys all showered up, played Mario Galaxy 2 on Wii and popped into bed POOPED from our big fun day!