The importance of outdoor play

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Save+the+world--play+outside.-a0178894350

As a mom to two boys I am slowly awakening to the importance of outdoor play. When I think back on my childhood and the memories made, alot was at my Nan's playing outdoors under the loquat tree. We spent many hours making mud pies and climbing trees. Holidays spent at the beach investigating rock pools. As we got older the many hikes we went on, and the weekends spent outdoors.

I think as I've grown up and reached adulthood I've forgotten how to play outdoors and just how much fun it can be. I think back on some parents I have met and wonder. The comments of 'No, they are not allowed to dig in the sand', 'No, jungle gyms are not safe', No, no, no!! I think that is sad! It is time reclaim those feelings, it is time to reconnect with Mother Nature and ensure my boys enjoy being outdoors and the many things the outdoors have to offer.

The sandpit is definitely a step in the right direction. Last night I had to drag them inside. LOL It was getting dark and cold. I didn't mind the dark - it was the cold that had we worried.

On the Echidna (Agenda) I love the new word - Thanks James.

* A visit to the botanical gardens
* Some nature walks in our area
* Making Journals
* Time to catch and look at some bugs. Eweeee!! Will I survive. :))
* Investigate plants
* Learn while having fun doing all of this!!

Sun burn..........

Ouch!!! I guess we're into a full on summer sun which I totally forgot about at our market today and the sun got my neck, chest and arms!! I feel like I'm glowing and it doesn't help that one kitten thinks it's some sort of bird and is sitting (guess where) on my shoulder - uhhhm just like a birdie would. Strange!!

Well our market was not the rip roaring success I had hoped it would be, it was rather dissappointing financially. I guess everyone is holding onto their cash for now but there was loads of interest and lots of talk about gifts going on. So will be crossing fingers for next month.

As markets usually go, we end up having a great social. It is really fun meeting up with fellow 'marketeers'. We all do something different and it's fun!! Today we got to speak to a fantastic guy who came second in the World Championships for Longbow Archery. How cool is that? He also makes Longbows. Now I guess you're wondering why all the excitement over archery. Believe it or not it is something Brad is very, very keen on. He tried it once and the bug bit him. I have not been succesful in finding out much about archery or where we could take him for lessons etc. Well that problem has now been solved!! With homeschooling we want Bradley to pursue his interests. Now all I have to do is sort out the Cricket. We then have an individual sport and a team sport. I'm getting bases covered, which is a relief for me.

With our homeschooling we have really been chatting about tons of things and one of those topics was Owls and how man is destroying there natural habitat. Well guess what?? There was a crowd there who had owl boxes (that is on a one day when we're better off financially list) but it was interesting to chat with the guy.

So we may not have come away financially rich but we came away enriched with tons of new info and that made the market worth it. Weird, huh!!

Hubby and I are coming to grips with Bailey's passing. We can at least talk to each other about it - a step in the right direction. And I can remember him with smiles instead of tears.