So I read a post this morning (or was it yesterday?) from Go Explore Nature about finding the time to get outside. It was a great post with lots of good ideas for parents about how to work 15 minutes of outdoor play into really busy schedules. I was inspired by the post even though we don't yet have those super busy schedules with kids at school, in sports, scouts and every other activity you can think of. We have all the time in the world, everyday to get outside.
But I was excited that today we actually did one of the things on her list - combing a playdate with outside time! I posted on Facebook yesterday that the girls and I were headed to Wingra Lake today for some exploring and a picnic. The weather was suppose to be gorgeous so I was a great idea.
Playdate, park, lake, picnic and the zoo! If only the weather had been this morning what the weather man had said it would! The freezing, blowing wind and cool temperatures were a bit much to explore a lake. So we hung out at the park, added a walk through the zoo and then stuck out the cold to have a very quick picnic.
So it wasn't perfect but there were still some good sights to be seen, go playing for the kids and good adult conversation. And Sam is now taking a nap! Woohoo! Which is the ultimate test of whether or not she got enough fresh air!
Some of the sights from today...
Spring just keeps doing this to me. I think we are ready for great outdoor adventures in warm air and sunshine and then the WI spring coolness and wind snap me back to reality. I need warmth to be here already!!
But it was a great morning anyway.
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The Nitty Gritty!
Avery is leaving the baby stage of being okay to sit calmy in the stroller, seeing nothing and doing nothing while her big sis runs wild and has all the fun. Today she was constantly whining to be picked up so she could see, let out of the stroller so she could go play and put down so she could walk. I do not think I am prepared for two toddlers.
This blog may get a lot more exciting (and full of advice seeking and complaints!) once I am trying to do these outings with two kids that want to run wild and don't like to listen!
So much to love here, like the polar bear & tiger (two of my faves)! First, thanks for the mention - you are right that things get much more challenging when there are two kids to wrangle instead of just one. But sometimes being outside is the perfect remedy for the "crazees" that I often see when everyone's inside. I'm thinking maybe I need to write something about this ... course, I need some tips myself, first!
Posted by: Debi | 04/05/2011 at 01:24 PM
I am guilty of not spending enough time outside with my kids, especially the younger one. 15 minutes sounds do-able, BUT (sorry to have a but), when it takes at least 30 minutes to get them ready to go out, 15 minutes hardly seems worthwhile! Lately I do try to head out about 15-20 minutes early to stop in the garden to play on the swings on the way, before getting in the car. The only problem with that is that they never want to leave, and I have to drag them off the swings to the car!
Posted by: Mama Pea Pod | 04/05/2011 at 02:14 PM
great pictures love the zoo pictures. sorry it was chilly and cold.
no advise on the stroller thing, my youngest always hated them so we walked everywhere once she could walk. but i was lucky in that my oldest was almost 6.
what about one of those push trikes, they sit and it has a long handle so you can push it like a stroller
Posted by: Nature Trails and Nature Tales | 04/05/2011 at 07:03 PM
Thanks for the link to Go Explore Nature, it looks terrific.
My little guy had a stretch of stroller refusal too. It did end, thankfully...the trick seemed to be to use his mall stroller because it is higher and he could see better. Much harder to push than our beloved Chariot, though!
15 minutes is easy. Our problem is scheduling longer trips to the greater outdoors -- by the time we're up and fed and drive out of the city, we have to turn around and get home for the sacred nap. Car seat naps often don't happen (he really likes to look out the window) and missing a nap is BAD. But I miss wilderness and I want him to love it like I do. Ideas
Our trick for getting him back in the car is to promise a car ride with either a bridge or some big hills. Fortunately both are within 5 minutes of home...works every time.
Posted by: Frances | 04/05/2011 at 11:45 PM