There's an old saying that goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

While this is about planting literal trees to replenish the earth, this can be taken in a figurative direction, as well. As parents, we’re planting the seeds of a lifetime of great memories with my kids, particularly after busy seasons of working and extra-curricular activities. Spring conjures up a time for me to capitalize on the longer days to enjoy more time outdoors experiencing life with my kids.

The world can be chaotic and busy. As parents, we don’t always get to be at every game, attend every school event and go to every practice, but we can make up for that—plant that tree now—by finding other ways to show them they’re important to us and that we care. That’s where all of the great opportunities Fredericksburg has to offer come in.

When the weather breaks, some of my favorite family activities are to explore our surroundings, go canoeing and boating, throw and kick various types of balls on the sports fields at the field house, and hike gorgeous nature trails. We also find time for arts festivals and live music when we can. Reminding our children that there is a world beyond the classroom, the Xbox and the iPhone.

When I was a kid, my dad and I would sit on the front porch at night and talk about the stars and planets ads we identified constellations in the sky. That seed grew into a lifelong love of astronomy that I share with my kids today. Other things my father planted within me are a love of country music (the storytelling), an appreciation for sitting on the porch and watching sunsets and walking as a form of moving meditation.

What seeds can you plant today? We may not get to be at every event our kids participate in, but those small moments in between can be more memorable than all of the games, recitals and practices combined. They were for me.