The Great Outdoors

Oh how I love our outside playtime. My oldest would spend every waking moment outside if I would let her and my youngest would until she got hungry, thirsty, or hot. My outside time with my girls is cherished because of the adventures we have, the vitamin D I get, and the lovely break of routine that comes within the walls of our home. I don't want you to think that we live on acres and acres of land with oodles of swing sets, balls, and other toys at my girls disposal (this is the farthest thing from the truth), but there is something so magical about what lies outside our front door.

On any given day my girls will catch ladybugs, butterflies, or something unidentifiable (which can make me a little nervous) and put them in their "habitat" ( a netted enclosure M got for a birthday gift last year). Outside time also usually involves sidewalk chalk. My oldest had designed grocery stores, towns, drawn still life's of plants and flowers in our yard, while my youngest investigates different colors and begins her life as an artist. Other favorites of my girls involve riding bikes around the driveway and front walk while pretending they are going to the church or doctor's office, and of course involves someone directing traffic. One must do every other day (unless it rains) is watering our gardens. The girls each have a watering bucket that I fill up for them numerous times and they help me water. Because of the hot climate of where we live it is no problem if by chance they feel like they themselves need a little watering too and it just adds to the fun and keeps us cool.

I try and spend at least an hour a day with my girls outside and the beauty of it is that it is for the most part it is free fun, so educational, and getting sun kissed isn't half bad either :)