The daily stroll
I think I see a pattern here. Last night there it was again - “What do you think you’ll dream about tonight?”
And there it was again. 3:00am and everyone’s awake. This time the poor kid fell out of his bed though. That’s happened three times now! And it’s one of those toddler beds with the little railings on the top half, yet he still falls. Sometimes when I go in there he has turned himself completely upside-down, so that his head is at the foot of the bed. Guess those railings aren’t very effective when that happens.
So here I sit, drinking my coffee again and having an odd sense of deja vu.
But I didn’t throw in the towel today - not yet anyway. Yesterday I regretted deciding to stay in because it was one of those Oh, it’s only 1:37…no, it’s only 2:12?…How is it only freaking 2:31?!
So today, in order to avoid that feeling of a day that stretches out before you like an effin’ ocean, I’ve decided to be a little more active. We walked to the park near our house this morning and chased a chipmunk for a while. His little head is sticking out of that hole in the tree. He and Sam were playing Peek-A-Boo.
Sam liked him a lot. Robby was un-enthused and even less enthused about sitting in a stationary stroller.
I forget sometimes how important it is for kids to get outside. If we don’t get to a playground or other outdoor activity, we at least try to just take a walk around our neighborhood once or twice a day. Sam pushes his empty stroller and “pwows da yeaves!” (Plows the leaves.) We look at bunnies in people’s yards, count flags on people’s houses, talk to the birds.
I think it’s important to get out every day, even when it rains, which actually opens up a whole new set of things to see with puddles and such. As a kid I was outside a lot, and I loved it. It seems to be of less importance to our culture today to get our children outside and in nature, but I’d like to make it a priority here, to whatever extent it isn’t already.
Sam loves flowers and plants and animals. What you don’t see in these pictures is the fact there there is a playground just yards away. I love that whenever we go to this spot we end up spending more time looking at animals and throwing things in the creek than we do on the big plastic climbing toys.
That stinks, but your resolve to stay active is good. Lovely photos! I wish we had somewhere even half as beautiful to play at!
Dito the need to get outside. We have to everyday many times a day. My sone gets up and eas and usually says I need to go run to get my energy out. Open door and fly. 10 loops around the yard and he is playing. Imagination is key to life. Keep up the good work!!
The great outdoors! If I had a dollar for each time I have heard, “Wanna pay owside!” I would be rich!
But, I agree, there is so much to learn outside!
I totally agree — outside at least 1x a day!! As a kid I was well-known for my Rain Walks.
Holy Hannah! Yep, you wouldn’t get my kids interested in big plastic climbing things with a real STREAM and rocks right there! Maybe Pearl would even leave the swingset for a few minutes for a thing like that!
Gorgeous pictures. Your neighborhood looks amazing.
We take Miss A to the playground most evenings when it’s nice. She loves it. She would love the stream and rocks but she does love the play structure. She climbs and slides and runs - repeat. Tires herself out, thank goodness.
Yeah, I’ve had those days that stretch out like and effing ocean. And I have a feeling there will be a lot more of them very soon…
I can just picture your son “playing” with that chipmunk.
I think the creek would take priority to my kids too. It is great that you go outside as much as possible. Zoe loves the outdoors, but Dylan not so much and it can be very frustrating. Maybe I need to make the effort to go out more though and lead by example.
We are so on the same wave length. I was thinking the same thing today. I have been forgetting the necessity of getting out. I was thinking his time outside at summer camp was enough, but no. It’s really never enough. But we were out all day and he fell asleep peacefully at like 7:00!!! And we just really loved each other today. It was a good day. Thank God. I needed one.
My daughter went to preschool through June, so this week has been has been one tickers, with very long days. I can’t wait until our fence is finished and we can just relax in back.
You know, I’d give anything right now to be able to take a walk without melting into a puddle of goo, it’s so DARN hot here. Really. I’m just withering thinking about having to go outside soon.
I just joined the PMB, so I was just stopping by to check out your blog - it is great! Looks like you guys had fun outside! Your kiddos are adorable!