Change of Plans

Today our horrendous heat wave finally broke a little bit.  Instead of temps in the 100's,  it was only in the low 90's.  (seemed so cool, by comparison!)  Even though we had fun making the Hot Car Crayons the other day, we were definitely getting tired of having to stay indoors for most of our days because outside was so unbearable.

With the *slightly* more mild forecast today, I loaded the kids' bikes into the van for some bike riding fun.  My older two just mastered riding without training wheels this summer and my youngest just got a "new to her" bike last week.  They had fun riding the paths at our local regional park.  (For all my local Maryland readers, Meadowood Regional Park is awesome for beginning bike riders)

Riding on the one-mile paved path.

Her first "real" time bike-riding

They rode around the path several times, then we planned to go home, 

change into our swimsuits and go for a swim in the pool.  

However, as we crossed the little bridge back to the parking lot, 

we thought the little stream looked really inviting.

 

So,  we changed our plans! 

We thought we'd just walk down next to the stream, but before we knew it, we were all wading in the shallow water.   No water shoes, no bathing suits, just their sneakers and regular clothes!

As the photographer, I was standing 

in the middle of the stream too!

(at least I had on flip flops!)

 

Moments after this next photo was taken, 

they started screaming about seeing a "river lobster"! 

It was their first time seeing a crayfish 

and they loved looking for more of them.

Watch out for the "river lobsters"!

They even found a large hanging vine 

and took turns swinging on it!

Big sister!

Middle brother!

Little sister!

They ended up soaked, but it was 

such a fun change of plans and we loved it.