I love this time of year. I’ve been gardening outside … well, not really gardening, just raking and puttering and breaking up big sticks into little sticks (which I find immensely therapeutic) to cover a non-grassy area in the back of the backyard.We’ve been busy around here, and as a family we’ve had very little time for things like homework or watching television. I prefer to eat dinner and then go outside. Last night we went for a swim at the local pool. The night before we did a 2km walk/scooter around the neighbourhood. The night before that we walked to the liquor store. (Hey, it’s as good a destination as any!)
I suppose this question is mostly for families of Northern climes, but I would like to know, when the good weather hits is anyone out there still watching TV during the week? And why?
It’s so easy to go outside. I’d say it’s even easier than plunking down in front of the TV, and so much better for us. I love being able to open the door and say ‘go.’ Sometimes I like to add a RUN LIKE THE WIND for good measure.
As parents, one of the things I think we’re doing right is also giving our children lots of time for unstructured outdoor play.
The girls had a little friend come over the other day, and I couldn’t believe all the stuff they came up with to do. They were busy for hours. They climbed the tree, they looked for bugs, they played house, and horsey, they rolled around on the lawn, they picked seeds off the dry Morning Glory vines, they dug in the compost bin, they planted the seeds in little flower pots… and lord knows what else. Mind you, they were so dirty by the end of it that even the garden hose wouldn’t get them clean … but I think the effort required to give the kids a quick bird bath at the end of the day is a small price to pay for a couple of happy and healthy children.
Today, we are getting a huge pile of dirt delivered to our house. So instead of that trip to the park the family will be spreading said dirt across our front lawn, delivering some to our starving and neglected flowerbeds, and planting more clover seeds.
Yay Spring! I thought you’d never come.
