Family Fun (outside play)

  A day outside with the right toys can bring smiles and fun for everyone.

It's not about who's winning.


It's about fresh air.

Stretched legs.


Off the couch.

Television and electronics off.

Hand eye coordination refined and little minds challenged.

  I get the privilege to of playing with one child then the other. Alternating between the kids and their chosen activity.

  Mom blow bubbles with me. Mom catch the frisbee. Mom throw the ball.

Trying to hold on to these moments. Savor the memories because they won't always want to play with me but, until then I will!

First 2018 Hike

  On the 1st of January the Virginia State Parks host an annual 1st of the year hike.  This was my second year participating.  I choose a different park this year because it's nice to switch it up and with 37 parks within the state it's nice to see the variety.  This year I went to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.

  This year despite the extremely low temperatures I made it a couple miles before I had to turn around not for a lack of trying but water flooded the trail.  Three times actually but the first one I could walk around the second  I jumped over and splashed with only one foot but, the last spot was too deep and wide.

  The hikes are offered at the parks at different times providing you the opportunity to have a guide.  The hikes offered are an hour hike or a few miles. Or of course you can choice to make your own adventure for however long you would like.

  The beauty you see when you get out in nature is immeasurable.  You get to see plants, tree, animals, bugs, and water.  My favorite is the water views.  All the parks have some sort of water source and it's always beautiful when I see it. 

  On this particular day there is not an admittance fee.  People should take advantage of this and check out the parks and trails. It's a great day for an introduction.

  Have you gotten out for a hike or stroll for leisure yet?  What do you enjoy most in nature?

Hiking with Children (a hiking group review)

  Do you know what's nice?

1.  Getting outside to enjoy the fresh air.
2.  Spending time moving.
3.  Meeting new people with a common interest.

  Today I finally got to join a group that I have been watching from the sidelines.  A group that supports, promotes and encourages you to get out and explore your neighborhood with your children.  You know I am not shy with my kids and hiking.  We have trumped through over a dozen state parks, paddled in boats and took on the Lighthouse Challenge in New Jersey climbing up 100's of steps!

  This group provides a platform to meet up with other individuals and their children to hike together.  Even if your a regular hiker or walk your neighborhood these guys provide an outlet to maybe see a new area.  They have regular and spontaneous hikes.  The hikes meet at different areas and offer different paces, trails, and offer hikes that are stroller friendly and some that are carrier only.

  The group is all based on volunteers but I'm sure it doesn't seem like work when your meeting up with friends for a regular 2 mile walk.  Today we (the kids and I) walked 2 miles with this group (you choose a group based on your preference of location, miles and child options be it stroller, carrier or walker.

  On our walk it took us to a new area! We saw some new things.

My kids made new friends 

And we got in some miles today!

Check them out hikeitbaby and see if they have a local branch for you to connect with.  It's a good way to get out and about.  Shake off those winter blues! 

All it takes is one step!

Date 22

  Good morning!  Another date with your kids today! Are you excited?  Did you have fun yesterday?  I know that my kids act differently when they are separated as well.  I have less problems, I hear less yelling and I ultimately have less stress.  So when I can hang out with just one it is a little fun.  Boy only children have it made.

  Today it is another date outside!  Whether it's raining, snowing or a bright sunshine day.  Kids love to go outside.  Take a trip to the park.  Not the kind with slides and swings.  This time you and little one are going to walk and explore.  Make a scavenger hunt. I have a few pinned on pinterest.  Walk around a lake or just take a short trail through the woods.

  Today's date is just providing you with an option to spend some quiet quality time with each other. I don't mean quiet as in don't talk; I just mean quiet as in focused undivided attention without the squeals going down a slide.  My two younger kids like going for walks at the park a whole lot more than my older two.  They like to see the squirrels running, a turtle in the water, count bridges on our path or just all the fresh air they are getting.

  So there you go! Go on out and have some fresh air fun.  If you have more than one child maybe spend a half hour with each of them.  It's nice to see their personality without the others around.  I like to listen to them as the describe something to me.  It's so much easier to focus on them individually.  I know they like it too.