Anderson's Nature Box.

If you have ever read even one of my blog posts, you know these things:

1. Anderson has a lot of energy. 

2. Anderson is obsessed with Nature. 

3. Max is a tornado. 

4. I take too many pictures. 

Back to #2. At some point about 3 years ago, I got out an old shoebox to store all of the random nature stuff that Anderson would bring me throughout the days. Over time, it has morphed into little containers to divide the stuff and a sturdier box to house all of the items.  

Periodically, he will take everything out and look through it and one day I decided we should do an inventory, so we know what all we have and I realized...he has some pretty cool stuff. I also realized that we are inventorying this, which means my genes are actually alive in him somewhere. I love everything about this whole process because, as I am sure you already know, this is exactly how TEDDY ROOSEVELT began his conservation journey. I believe in brain washing the whole story around here. 

Not every item has a story; most things were just found somewhere and handed to me with a, "Hey mom, put this in my nature box." Actually, most of the items can be attributed to his time with Bop, so I probably should get him as a guess author for this post.  But, here are 2  stories related to the coolest things in the nature box:

1. Lizard Tail: This is our favorite, for sure. "We" have a favorite, I am totally invested in this, too. Last summer, in an effort to fill some hours, we visited a little creek about a 1/2 mile down the street from our house. To be honest, using the word "creek" is maybe setting the bar a little too high, because many times, including on this particular day, there is no actual water in it. But, sometimes there is water and Anderson can catch minnows, so we call it a creek. Anyway, on the day that we visited, there were no fish, but we were walking in the million degrees, trying to keep Max from freaking out*, and we saw a blue tailed lizard! I think Anderson caught it with his net (we always have a net with us) and we used Max's sippy cup to store him. Anderson noticed he had dropped his tail, so we frantically started looking for it. I found it STILL WRIGGLING, trying to go down some hole. In hindsight, I don't think a tail can think or have controlled movements, but it sure seemed like it was trying to intentionally go down the hole. Anyway, I grabbed it and we whooped and hollered and knew, right then, that this was going to be the mother load for the Nature box. I sound crazy that I was so invested, but y'all, a lizard tail! We did let the lizard go, but we are grateful for his moment of panic that resulted in a huge win for us.  

*Max is a boy who has a lot of energy and prefers being outside, BUT nobody can keep up with Anderson. It's just a true story. 

2. Snakeskin: Somehow all of the good stories start with, "we were trying to fill some hours..."and this one is no exception. We are frequent visitors to our library and both boys always wants to play in the park that is right there, as well. I usually let them because I want all library memories to be wonderful and amazing, just like the ones from my childhood are. Also....we are usually trying to fill those hours. A few Saturdays ago, we visited and spent quite a bit of time walking around, trying to keep Max entertained (see above) and looking for cool stuff. We saw fish and bugs and Anderson hit the jackpot when he found a snakeskin! He was so excited about it, of course, so there was lots of enthusiastic yelling. Perhaps the best part was looking up and seeing an entire extended family, dressed up, taking pictures on the bridge above us. Every child and male with them looked at us with longing, as they were sweating to death in matching prints and we were living a seemingly* carefree Saturday morning just playing in a creek. The snakeskin was almost completely intact and I was very careful with how I handled it because I just knew this was good stuff. We spent a bit more time walking around & exploring and by the end, everyone was soaking wet, thirsty and starving. As we headed to the car, I set the snakeskin on the tire so it could dry a little as I loaded everyone and tried to clean the nasty nets. Then, I got in and drove off. Then, way too late, I realized I FORGOT the snakeskin. I told Anderson I forgot and it and he was so sweet, replying, "It's ok, Mama, we caught a real snake, so that is a better memory anyway." I was floored because you know that this kid is just not easy going or flexible. 

Later that evening, I dropped Anderson off at a birthday party (1st drop off party; it does get easier) and, on a whim, drove back to the library just to see if it was still there....and it was, just waiting for me to retrieve it. Score. 

*Also, sweating to death.