One of the many many things that I love about Nashville is that there are tons of things to do and places to go with children! We live in an area with literally a dozen places within 5 miles of us for our kids to go and have fun. One of our favorite little spots is Nature Play which is part of Warner Parks. It's this little spot behind the nature center that is basically the size of half of a basketball court and is just dirt! It has a dirt hill, a dirt box( like a sand box but with dirt ), a little dirty play cabin, more dirt, and a couple water spouts( for rinsing hand or aiding in the making of mud pies )!
It pretty plain but so much fun. There are a few old plastic trucks, some shovels & buckets, and a sand toy or two but that's it. The "dirt park" as we like to call it is a great place for imaginative play! Rowen's imagination comes out in full force here. It's really fun to watch. I heard him spouting off a few lines from a Thomas the Train episode while pretending a little monster truck was a train and at one point I think Buzz Lightyear and Zurg were playing along side him.
Well when it has rained the past 3 or 4 days, the dirt park becomes the mud park! There was mud for miles and big puddles too. After walking through the front gate, I let them go! "Go have fun". "Play in the mud" I said, And play in the mud they did. Isla LOVED it. This was her first real time experiencing mud. She dug her hands in it, rubbed it on her pants, and even had a taste( when I wasn't looking )!
Rowen was content playing beside a giant puddle. He gathered some trucks and a bucket, picked a little spot, and stayed there most of the time we were there. I just sat back and watched them...and watched them. I loved hearing them giggle and seeing them smile. Lately I have told myself to just let go! And it's so nice. When we would come here say a few months ago, I would usually have Isla in the wagon or put down a blanket for her to play on so she wouldn't get dirty. Today I said what the heck! Let's get dirty!
A few weeks ago, it was pouring while we were driving home and Rowen asked if I could roll his window down so that he could give his Baymax a bath..haha! It was funny and I told him that that was silly! And then I thought, well why not?! It;s not going to hurt anything and we WERE on the way home. So I did it, I rolled his window down in the pouring rain. He loved it. I love that memory. I can still see his big grin and hear his sweet laugh. I have really stepped back and have let the little things fill up my life day to day. These little kids aren't going to be little for forever so while they are, I want them to have as much fun as they can. I want them to laugh and giggle and love life and love their time with one another.
This wasn't our first time here and it sure won't be our last! We love Warner Park Nature Play. The perfect spot for a big imagination!
