The newly-crowned queen of the backyard

All of my toddlers have gone through this phase — the “outside” phase. It’s the phase when they want to be outside more than they want to be anywhere else, when they bang on the door to go outside regardless of the weather or time of day. And when it’s time to go inside for ANY REASON, regardless of how long they’ve been outside, scream and contort their bodies so they’re impossible to hold. So you just stay outside because not much is worth that kind of bodily harm.

During this phase, I cannot open the door for any reason unless I’m prepared to stay outside for a few hours, because no matter where in the house my toddler is, at the sound of the door knob beginning to turn, the materialize, stampeding toward the door with the ferocity of a herd of wild horses.

Anna hasn’t really played outside much. Last year she was too little to really play, and since she started walking it’s been too cold/I’m too much of a princess to take the kids outside.

But this week — THIS WEEK! The weather has been so amazing. The reprieve is exactly what gets me through winter and I have loved every second of it. I loved telling the kids they could wear short sleeves to school, I loved sitting in the front yard chatting with neighbors, and most of all I loved playing outside.

Anna was fascinated, entertained, and pacified by the backyard. Going outside solved all of our problems, and we spent hours just walking and babbling in the fresh air.

She discovered dirt, rocks, leaves, and a pile of toys she’s never seen before. I helped her up the slide once, she figured it out on her own.

Ok, so she’s still getting the hang of the slide. But she doesn’t even care because she’s OUTSIDE!

Of course, our week wasn’t all sunshine and popsicles. (Actually, there weren’t any Popsicles because it’s WINTER, ok, kids? Stop asking me for Popsicles! We don’t have any Popsicles!)

Thomas spent this beautiful week inside with a high fever and a cough, so he didn’t get to enjoy the springlike temperatures. But even that is easier to deal with when the sun is shining.

I’d like to believe these temperatures are here to stay, so I haven’t checked the weather. But the rational side of me knows that winter isn’t over, not even close.

This taste of spring has been good for my soul. It won’t be long until we’re picking daffodils and twirling in Easter dresses. And soon enough, we’ll be complaining about mosquitoes and doing cannonballs in the pool.

OHMYGOSH THE POOL!!!! Anna doesn’t know about the pool! Just wait until she finds out about the pool!

 

7 Comments

  1. Shannon Dewease April 8, 2019

    Love, love this! My son is completely addicted to being outdoors! I understand the struggle LOL!

    Reply
  2. Arianne p April 8, 2019

    My girl is 9months and she absolutely loves the yard. It’s so important to encourage this

    Reply
  3. Suhasini I.P. April 9, 2019

    I could very well understand this phase as my kid has also gone through the same

    Reply
  4. cendu April 9, 2019

    awww adorable!! yasss to warmer weather and getting outdoors. my son is crazy for slides, we should def look into a little play ground for the backyard

    Reply
    • amandakrieger April 9, 2019

      that little slide is one of the most used items in our house! even my almost 8-year old still loves it!

      Reply
  5. Elizabeth | Tiredmom Supermom April 9, 2019

    Awe so cute. We live in our backyard in the summertime from waking time to bedtime!

    Reply
  6. Katja April 9, 2019

    So cute! I can’t wait for the weather to get better so my kids can play in the yard

    Reply

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