Operation Family Nature Walk (Results May Vary)

I had this brilliant idea that we should all go on a nature walk together. Fresh air! Exercise! Family bonding! What could go wrong?

Operation Family Nature Walk (Results May Vary)

Everyone’s enthusiasm levels were… varied.

The prep work alone was an adventure.

Mission control before the adventure

I’m packing water bottles like we’re scaling Everest while Marcus is already googling the pollen count and Sophie is practicing her ‘why is this happening to me’ face. Meanwhile, Theo has packed approximately forty-seven bug jars and is vibrating with excitement.

Already found his first specimen

And of course, before we even made it out of the backyard, Theo found his first ‘specimen’ - some poor beetle that’s about to become part of his collection.

The reluctant adventurers

The contrast between his pure joy and Sophie’s visible suffering is peak Hartwell family dynamics. Marcus is checking how many steps we need for his fitness tracker to count it as exercise.

Update: We made it exactly 0.3 miles before Biscuit chased a squirrel, Sophie declared her feet hurt, and Marcus suggested we ‘continue this adventure at Starbucks.’ Theo was the only one disappointed when we turned around. Next time I’m just taking him and the dog.