Of course, Jane read on the way there. Araminta Spookie 5: Ghostsitters
At the visitor center, we picked up a map, a Squirrelly Scavenger Hunt, and a Conservation Quest Passport to Tree Adventure. Then, we headed to the Squirrel Scramble, where we completed the Out on a Limb Adventure passport page. We also listened to the forest.
Next, the robin's nest, where we found the first squirrel of the scavenger hunt, and practiced tying shoes.
The next squirrel was hiding below the rose garden.
Squirrel Three was hiding at A Waltz in the Woods.
We saw some yarnbombing, and remembered the scarf we need to finish crocheting before winter.
Squirrel Four was in the streamside log cabin where the mistress of the estate liked to hold tea parties. We paused to build a fairy cabin.
The next squirrel clue led us to the garden railway. Do you recognize Fairmount Water Works and the Art Museum? We learned that Philadelphia had a girls' rowing club with its own clubhouse in 1743. Yay, colonial ladies! We also did the chicken dance whenever the chicken dance train passed
We both enjoyed the hidden sea creatures.
We did some math, estimating the height of a dawn redwood. Following the directions on the sign, Jane moved away from the tree until she could see the top by looking backward between her legs, approximating a 45 degree angle. Using geometry, we could estimate the height of the tree. I thought I took a picture, but apparently, I didn't tap the screen properly for that one.
We walked through every irrigation sprinkler we could find.
Found another very sneaky squirrel by Mercury.
And by that point we were hot. We tried for a few more squirrels, then turned to Google to figure out the answers to the rest of the scavenger hunt.
Success! We returned to the visitor center for our prize. Which was surprisingly cool.
The drive home was consumed by Heroes of Olympus, Book One, The Lost Hero: The Graphic Novel. When I was quizzing Jane about squirrels and Mercury, she noted, "I'm more familiar with the Greek Gods than their Roman counterparts." She is of the opinion that the Roman gods, with their planetary names, are more aggressive. She prefers the Greeks.
After the drive home and a late lunch, it was time for more P.E. at our wonderful neighbors' pool.
arrived while we were on vacation. Jane was anxious for the Amazon box to be opened, hoping for a surprise. I showed her the Murderous Maths books, and continued to unload the car. The next time I saw her, she was reading 
. She kept it up until bedtime, and the next morning started again with breakfast, rather than asking to play her laptop or watch TV. Clearly, Kjartan must be doing something right here.
space shuttle, working fishing pole, and fish
