Ari

What does Ari love most about nature?

Ari is in constant awe at how much there is to learn about nature. When we venture out, she asks questions about the plants (e.g., what is inside the flower?) and animals (e.g., why do they chase each other?). She personifies the animals that she meets and likes to imagine where they came from and where they are going. She collects seeds, leaves, and flowers and has them stored in a journal. It is impossible to return home without at least one seed, leaf, and flower.

What is Ari's favorite animal—and why?

Squirrels are Ari's favorite animal. She likes how fluffy they are and the sounds that they make. Also, her family feels a kindred connection to squirrels, especially their curious and playful personalities. We joke that Ari's mama is a Eurasian red squirrel, her papa is a Mexican ground squirrel, and she is a northern flying squirrel. Like Ari, squirrels are avid seed collectors, they like to climb trees, and they have a lot of energy. So, it is fitting that they are her favorite animal.

What is Ari's favorite outdoor activity?

If Ari is in nature, the first things that she looks to find are seed pods. Little did we know that the first time she saw a seed pod open to reveal seeds that could be planted, we would spend every subsequent trip to any park searching for seed pods. In North Carolina, Mexico, and Thailand, Ari's favorite seed pods were Eastern Redbud, Guaje, and Spanish Broom, respectively. Every time we do yoga at a park, Ari collects seed pods and places them next to each yogi's yoga mat as a gift.