Outside Essentials

Being outdoors is pretty much a requirement for kids at least once a day. It's been hard being so cooped up in the house, since there are only so many forts, lego towers and puzzles you can do in a day without going stir-crazy. Oh - and I forgot to mention - there's only so much CURIOUS GEORGE you can take in one day! I try to get out at least once a day, and sometimes the only place I can think of that is appropriate in this heat (without an entire wardrobe change i.e. bathingsuits) is McDonalds. There is only so much fast food a person can take. Here are some of the activites we like to do outside...

Gardening



Even though we haven't been completely successful, we have been able to grow things this year, which is an accomplishment for us. The boys enjoy watering and taking care of the plants, and seeing what they turn into. Seeing how tall the sunflowers grew, was really fun too. The only thing we grew that we could eat were two strawberries.



Thankfully we were able to go to grandmas garden down the street and she has had a great year of growing. We've picked strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, plums, and peppers. She is also growing many other plants like corn and grapes.

Water

This is essential in the summertime if we want to be outside at all, water has to be involved. If we don't want to leave the house we just bust out the slip and slide. We don't really use it the traditional way, since no one is willing to sacrafice their body to teach them, but they have fun running down the slide.







We have a pool down the street, and after the swimming lessons Connor can swim on his own with a life jacket. He's also tall enough to touch, so it makes it easier to not have to hold two kids in the water.

We haven't yet gone to the "splashy park" but we should be going soon. The parks that have the shooting water, seems like the boys would really enjoy that.

Hiking Day



Before it has gotten too hot, every Friday is our hiking day. I have a nice easy hike that Connor can do on his own, and I have Aaron on my back, and we go up the mountain. Connor loves getting to the top where he can explore. We'll probably start doing that again in the fall. I might not be able to carry Aaron on my back for much longer though!!




The Cabin



Haven't had a chance to get up there this summer, but we are looking forward to it this August. I'd really like to spend more time up there during the summertime when it's so hot, to give my kids a lot more exploration time. Connor enjoys finding his way through the forest, and seeing the animals. Just being out of the heat makes it worthwhile. It's a place that I think all kids need growing up: a place to explore, and where they have the chance to be outside all day long.



Adventures in the neighborhood

This is one of the best things we do outside, or at least the one I enjoy the most. We just walk out the door and have an adventure. Since we have dirt lots all around us, and a gate right into the golf course, we can search for bunnies, pick up trash (Connor loves to do this...I have to remember to bring a bag with me), and roll down grassy hills. Connor and I take bike rides together, and sometimes even play a hole of golf after 7pm. I love that we don't have to go anywhere to go on an adventure! We have been putting the adventures off until the sun goes down since the weather has been pretty unbearable.

Can't wait until the summer ends and we can get back out there more... Doesn't that sound weird??