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Get Outside!

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   Our family just recently bought a 1930’s school house turned home on 5 acres in the country. Transitioning from a HOA suburban home and neighborhood has been interesting to say the least and as much as I’m trying to embrace my southern spirit, I’m a city girl at heart. My almost two year old though is absolutely loving exploring our new home and acreage. Her rain boots are the only shoes she will wear right now and she is in constant search of a puddle to splash in.  I’m taking her lead and allowing her to push me out of my comfort zone…which is in my house, with candles lit, music going, coffee brewing and a DIY project to tackle. However, when my daughter brings me my shoes and says “Outside, Mama?” I have to pause and ask myself “Why not?”.   
So, outside we go! She leads the way and is thrilled with the simplest of discoveries as I swat mosquitos and pray I put enough deodorant on. She waddles around in her little rain boots and brings me sticks, rocks and a handful of other questionable nature with joy and pride. “Look, Mama!! Mama, LOOK! A STICK!!”. “Thank-you” I say as I think about the ridiculous amounts of toys we have inside that don’t get a second glance.

    It’s then when it clicks for me as a Mother. I’m so busy worrying about cultivating a special childhood for her, fixating and worrying if I am providing her with the best toys, clothes, shoes and memories that she teaches me and forces me to pause and reevaluate. Maybe, this whole raising a child thing has gotten so complicated and fussy. Perhaps, growing up and learning is finding joy in discovering the glory in the ordinary. Sticks, rocks, puddles of mud. While, I love a good Pinterest session, I have to pull myself back and remind myself that life isn’t meant to be Pinterest perfect. I don’t have to spend a fortune at the craft store or spend a ton of time planning special learning activities to provide a meaningful childhood.

My daughter reminds me of this every time she brings me my shoes (some times not matching or season appropriate) and asks “Outside, Mama? Pweeeease?”. She has the most fun collecting leaves, asking “Whats dis?” and saying hi to the birds, bunnies and turtles we spot on our land. It brings me great joy that this is becoming our new normal and that her childhood memories will be of playing in the great outdoors. It also takes the pressure off of me and as much as I love a fun craft or activity, I am slowly getting over the mosquitos and sweat and enjoying our time connecting with nature and learning together. Simple doesn’t equal boring and I am really beginning to enjoy simple.

So, I think this weekend’s project might consist of me going through the mountains of toys and games and donating a good portion of them. Sticks, puddles and rocks are way more fun, anyways; no batteries required!

Join me in stepping back from Pinterest a little bit and getting outside with you family, won’t you?  Enjoy the simple joys together and let us know some of the simple things you and your family enjoy doing in our comment section.

See you outside!


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