Sometimes you just need to get outside and not have a plan.
As long as the weather allows, we try to get outside every weekend before nap to get some fresh air and exercise. Since reading an interesting book called Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, I've been especially sensitive to the importance of plunking my kids into nature as often as possible and just letting them explore and move their bodies with almost no boundaries. Louv refers to the lack of this exposure as nature deficit disorder and documents how it negatively effects children in so many ways. ;)
One of our favorite places to do this is Maumee Bay. Wide open spaces. A little of everything. Lots of great exploring and exercise opportunities. We also love Pearson Park, though the kids usually just want to hit the playground there.
You can see the backside of the hill has been mowed and is no longer overgrown and wild. I assume they're gearing up for sledding season and I think the kids might be ready for a step up in hill height this winter. I know the bigger kids are usually overwhelming on these bigger hills, so I'm hoping we can arrive really early one weekend morning and just keep our visit brief before it gets too busy.
Haha - love this face/pose. :)
At home, we've taken to puzzles a bit more (especially Sophie) and spreading out at the kitchen table with paper and art supplies for drawing and coloring.
Sophie "reading" and Will practicing his new skill of putting a pillow case on a pillow after I wash the sheets. :)
Oh, and the Connectagons came out and were played with on this day too. You can see them towards the back of the table. Our table remains a mess for a lot of the weekend, but the kids enjoy it and it's better than toys scattered all over the house. ;)
