One thing that’s great about summer is the weather. So many beautiful warm sunny days! And what’s better on a beautiful day than a picnic? But not just any picnic. A day like this calls for a very special kind of event.
We listen to this song pretty often since Cat and Garriy put it on a CD for Milo’s second birthday. Plus, my mom gifted us the book and it is just about the only story that Oliver allows me to sing to him. I’m pretty sure the boys know all the words, but they’re too cool to sing them with me for now. I’ll trick them into it someday.
What You’ll Need:
- Picnic foods (even just snacks if you don’t want to do a full meal)
- Teddy bears (or any stuffed friends will do)
- Disguises (a mustache should do the trick, no?)
- A Blanket
- Dinnerware (if you want to get fancy… and you will) like mini teacups and utensils and silly stuff
- A wagon, if you have one
Step one: Assemble picnic supplies.
Step two: Dress your bears and yourselves in your best disguises.
Step three: Load up the wagon with the above.
Step four: Head to the nearest playground, woods, or green space. (Or you could drive if you don’t have any green space nearby… but I do recommend going somewhere other than the back yard. It definitely makes it more of an adventure!)
We also decided to bring all of our bear-themed books to get into the spirit! Every single one of these books were gifts that we absolutely love!
Step Five: Pick a nice shady place to picnic (preferably beneath the trees just as the song says) and set up camp.
Step Six: Get busy eating, drinking, and enjoying the Teddy Bear’s Picnic!
After we enjoyed our lunch, we read stories and snuggled a little while Emil played in the grass and practiced standing up, then sitting down, standing, sitting, standing, sitting…
One of our all-time favorite books, Oliver Finds His Way. Thank you, Nora, for this great story! Oliver totally relates to the crying part these days.
And after a short rest, we decided to take it back to the song and do as the teddy bears do: 
Beneath the trees where nobody sees, they’ll hide and seek as long as they please (or at least until someone has to poop).
I know. I look hot. I like to think it’s the nose job.
Emil keepin’ it real. Kids these days and their damn pants.
We had a fantastic time and the kids were so well-behaved before, during, and after. I think this Adventure Day thing is going to work out really well!
Fun day! Would make a neat photo book you could create for the kids with your own story.
I think having an older child is the key on this one – Daniel is not yet three, and Elsa is just one – they wouldn’t appreciate the fun of it unless there was a five year old to model behavior from. I will remember this for next year though, when I am sure DHH will be more engaged in extended pretend play and Elsa will be into playing dress up!
Oh my goodness, how cute! What a fun day, and what a fun mama you are! I’m keeping this on the books for summer picnics 🙂
I don’t think this day could get any more fun!! I just love the pic of Oliver in the wagon with the stuffed animals – TOO cute.
The kids are definitely into this idea…Liam is now calling it “Booty Picnic.” Awesome.
You are such a fantastic mother!! Your boys are so super lucky. When I saw the title of the post I got so excited because the only real kids music we have in our house is the ironically titled Not for Kids Only by David Grisman and Jerry Garcia and one of the songs is Teddy Bears’ Picnic! We love that song around here. If you haven’t heard the album you should check it out. It’s great chill out / nap time music. Looking forward to next Thursday already. 🙂
Oh I LOVE this!!! How fun! Teddy Bears Picnic is one of my favorite songs to sing to the kids. My Grandad always sang it to us when we were little. I sing it on our way out of the woods on almost all of our hikes. (Ben and Greta never want to leave the woods, and singing the song always calms them down.)
a) Thank goodness I’m moving into that closet in your house, because you guys seem like so much fun to hang out with.
b) That hat with the wings is the best hat ever.
c) Boys who wear faerie wings are very cool boys.
d) All of these pictures are beautiful and that park looks like a painting.
This is so cool! I love that song, I used to drive my mom nuts with it. Instead of reading this post as a mama I was wishing I could be a little kid in the wagon with some wings on. I love that this adventure didn’t cost am expensive admission or involve a big trip, just a very clever and thoughtful spin on a picnic.
And that sweetest ever picture of Oliver chilling on Milo… now I want more babies 🙂
Oh my goodness – how incredibly sweet! I must tell you, though, when I saw the picture of you with that nose and glasses, I was shocked and wondered how you got a picture of ME at the picnic!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Good one!!
Love you, Mom
“If you go out in the woods today. You’re sure of a big surprise….” We listened to this record on repeat when I was a kid, and I like Garcia’s version even better. So glad the boys do too! 🙂 This looks like a blast. Hope you all are enjoying the Spring-Summer!
xo
Very cute. Clearly I’m the only person on the planet who has never heard of this song!
Whoa…that’s fun! As for Oliver, me thinks cutoffs and cowboy boots are always a good decision.
Ok, you are the best mommy. I love this idea and will use it soon being that Arlo is out of school after this week and we can picnic more frequently. Thanks Dear for the inspiration!
xx
J
So cute! And I seriously hope those awesome sagging elephant pants make their way to Ben some day!:)