Day 292: we made it out

She begged. And the other one whined and pointed. I think it is probably only my kids that would want to go outside when it is 35 degrees, snowing/sleeting and thundering.

I mean, seriously would you want to go out when it looks like this -

 
In December, January or February sure, no problem to go out with a dusting on the ground and 35 degree temps. But in APRIL? I do not think so. All the winter gear is packed away. What a hassle.

BUT my girls wanted to. Really wanted to. Can you guess who won?

 
Avery's coat and snowpants from this year were ridiculously too small and since I had to un-do the winter gear bin anyway I figured why not have her wear next year's stuff! She looks a little silly!!

And thank you Tami for the inspiration of what we should do while we were outside today.

 
A snow bunny! HA! The leaf mouth did not stay on very long in the rain/snow/sleet that fell in increasing larger amounts but I think it is still pretty cute. Sam thought it was hilarious to make an Easter bunny out of snow. The ridiculousness is not even lost on a three year old!

I am glad that we made it out today even for just a little while but this weather could really start improving quickly. I am pretty sure the cute, pastel little spring dresses that I have for the girls for Easter are not going to work if there is snow on the ground!

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The Nitty Gritty!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if schools had the same committment to getting outside that some parents do? I can remember back to elementary school that even if there was a drizzle of rain outside we had to stay in the gym for recess. Now I understand that the teachers have to work with what they are given; if not all kids are dressed appropriately for the weather then it would not work to go out. But if schools made it a committment to get outside no matter the weather then maybe parents would make more of an effort to send the right gear along. I just hate that in a few years when both girls are in school so much of their outside time will be dictated by the school or by what we can fit into the evenings and weekends.

Does anyone have a school that fights hard for outside time? A school that works with parents on making sure kids have the right gear for the weather? Any parents ever complained or tried to get their kid's school to get outside more often? I know recess is something that is being cut more and more in the schools but do parents have any recourse against this, any way to prevent it being cut all together?

Comments

[Brenda]

Abbie, This looks like FUN!!!
But I agree - the snow is getting abit wearisome - just at this moment we are having a wet snowfall, that looks like the one you had.

I work in daycare, and we do of course tend to be more friendly toward getting outside in most weather. We have a supply of daycare clothing - snowsuits, etc. in winter, and sunhats in summer. We do have a weather policy, to stay in when it is -25 and colder in the winter, and over 27 in the summer (this is celsius)This winter we had alot of -25 and colder weather, and so were inside abit too much.

This is a very cute snow bunny! :)
Brenda

[Tami S]

Cute bunny! We plan on going out tomorrow after it's all done. So far 4-5 inches on the ground.

[Debi]

Just wanted to give you a big thumbs up of support for getting the kids outside today. You are awesome! And I love the snow bunny idea! Here's to a warmer tomorrow!

[Dawn]

The school where I used to teach had a rule that recess was outside unless the temperature was below 10 degrees (with windchill factored in) or raining. They were outside a lot - thankfully because the alternative was "recess" in the classroom. And, full-on playing in the snow was allowed as long as you had a total body set of snow gear.

[gina]

L and G's school takes them out, even in the cold, at least for a few minutes. They have extra coats (donated, I guess?) in case mamas forget or don't check the weather before school. :)