outside

I think every year at this time I will have a post called "outside". Didn't I do that last year, too? Maybe we should make it a rule. It's just that after being cooped up inside for several months, the first day spent outside always seems so special.

The weather turned reasonable here yesterday, a smidge over 50 degrees. The neighborhood came out to play, and it was really something. Since it was a Sunday, we had all kinds of time. We took our kids out to play after lunch, around 12:00. They played, and they played, and they played with their friends. They rode their bikes and tricycles. They roller skated. They played croquet. They had a picnic snack in the driveway. The kids caught up with all of their friends that we haven't seen much of in the cold months.

It was really nice for the parents, too. I felt social for the first time in months. One of the drawbacks to working from home is that I pretty much don't go anywhere. I am busy with the kids all day and working all night, and I don't have much time to get out and have adult conversation with people. But, when the weather is nice and the kids are all out playing, the parents come out, too. So, I spent a pleasant afternoon outdoors, talking, laughing, gossiping, having a good time with our neighbors.

The added perk was that for the first time ever, we trusted the kids to go in our back yard and play on the swingset without us having to be there, too. So, for a good chunk of time we didn't even see the kids at all. Add to the greatness of the day, there were only minor scrapes and injuries; which is pretty good considering how many kids there were and how rough they can sometimes play (and the fact that they were basically unsupervised in the back yard for a bit of time).

We finally brought The Kiddos in for a much needed bath and dinner around 5:30. That's 5.5 hours of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise! They slept like logs. It was a great start to what I hope will be a great summer season. : )