Thursday, September 12, 2013

Head Outside


Oh, a mother's guilt. Books could be written on it and sometimes that dreaded emotion wants to creep in on me like a bad cold. I worry that if I don't do enough of those fun activities that are printed in pamphlets at the local touristy hot spot, or are listed in the paper and summer will spin by, leaving me only with other mommas chattering about story hour at the library or elaborate play dates at the swimming pool. 

There is talk of camping or wandering down to the corner store to buy ice cream. My friends, I know to let it go when I see Big Girl sitting beside her Auntie howling with laughter when that 'skrat (Tay's way of saying muskrat) swam up beside her and splashed her with its tail. I know to ball that guilt up and chuck it out the door when I see my girls feel like they have hit the jackpot when they get to check cows and play in the creek. My heart swells a bit while they marvel at three hawks circling and screeching over the pasture, diving and swooping while Taylin exclaims, 'This is the best summer ever!' 

We might not head to the splash park, but I do believe we have a small advantage with our source of summer fun. We don't need to worry about the hoards of people on days when the sun flexes it's muscles and pours out it's power when I can feed a tiny babe with my feet dunked in the cool water and our only concern is whether we packed enough snacks or not. I do believe nothing beats the smell of sage when you hop out of the truck at the creek meandering through the prairies.


My little pigeons, with summer whipping by us and all of us northerners wanting to weep a little that this is the last time we will mow for the season, relish these last days. Don't worry about packing the stroller, fifty two thousand diaper bags and the kitchen sink, just let your ol' door creak open and head outside. Feel stifled by your four walls? Go outside and look up. Look up! Talk to your children about the cotton balls in the sky, listen for that purple martin sitting high on top of the tree, and kick off your shoes and feel the prairie wool beneath your feet. Friends, don't worry about the fancy summertime Pinterest list on your homemade chalkboard of all the things you wanted to do with your babes, I have said it before and will say it again, they just. Want. You. Play with the rocks on the lane, look for an ant hill or collect some of the leaves that are falling on the ground. Don't worry about the play date, don't worry about the 'Summer Fun' page in your local paper, just walk outdoors, and open your peepers. You have the best play park ever - one designed by the master designer. All of nature is ready to have a party, and if your two year old wets their pants in the water, there will be no major break down, 'cause the cows don't care. 


Here's to the dog days of summer. Enjoy!









18 comments:

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I'd take a day out on a beautiful sun kissed prairie with babes laughing and splashing over Disney World any time! These are the days they'll remember :-)

Pom Pom said...

Absolutely! Packing little lunches and sitting in the thrushes, well, those are my best childhood memories. I read a book called Last Child in the Woods and I agreed that kids need fresh air and adventure, not touristy entertainment. The kids at school said, "What is he talking about? We go outside all the time." I'm glad they do, if they do.
We lived in Spokane, Washington for seven years and I loved the drives out of the city, to grandma's house. The wheat fields on the rolling hills . . . ah, bliss!

Anonymous said...

Big old tears running down my face, Chey. What a great reminder to all of us.
AP

Steph said...

Amen!

basebell6 said...

Oh how I wish I lives on the prairie! Good post!

Down On The Farm said...

Amen sister!!! I couldn't have said it better. Kids don't need all that fancy stuff, they just need time spent with them. We live on a farm, and our kids were raised playing in the creek, riding on a cows back, pettin' baby calves. And I think they're turning out just fine. Where you live is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Thanks for the pictures!!! Have a blessed weekend!!

Lindsay said...

i see all the pics some people post of all of the fabulous places they have taken their kids this summer. that is great, but we didn't do a darn thing all summer. we survived it. i was huge and miserable. so, thank you for alleviating a lot of my guilt. no, we didn't go to all kinds of parks, playgrounds, and zoos, but we also live out in the country where the kids can just go outside to get a lot of those same experiences! and sometimes, all you can do is survive a tough season and that is good enough.

Unknown said...

Such beautiful scenery! Why go anywhere else?!

Your girls will remember having a blast because you were there. Today, the hubby and I took our kiddo to run and play at the in-laws farm, something we do everyday now.

And we are much happier for it.

Enjoy your sunny days.

quintuplicatemom said...

'Together' is an all-encompassing, beautiful word. This week, the togetherness included digging potatoes, canning produce, driving from one hay field to another, you know the story. This way we all feel included in preparing for fall!

Gumbo Lily said...

This reminds me of the day someone asked one of our homeschooled kids, "Do you ever get to take field trips?" And the answer was, "Yes, we take nature walks in the fields all the time!" You are so right, Cheyenne. You give your children the best gifts by sharing nature with them in the Great Outdoors. Good job, Mama!

~Jody

Rachel said...

I am SO very glad you are back to blogging. I missed your sweet posts like this!
Amen to all of this, children just love having fun, and especially with those they love the most. :)

Crystal said...

Oh you are so right! We lived in the city when I was young and I remember the trips to the farm the most, not some fancy tourist spot...even my nephews (11 and 13) now will rather come out here then go where a whole bunch of people are it is so much better!

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

Those are definitely the best memory-makers. Your girls looks so cute paddling through the creek.

Jaimi_C said...

Being a town girl and moving out to the country, I often realize how lucky we are to be raising our little ones in such amazing and wide open places and how it's the simple things that delight their hearts and not being dragged around on a schedule to make it to all those touristy stops to have what we call a "fun day" that usually ends in melt downs. I just love your scenery, it's beautiful!

The Goerzen Girls...and Art said...

Preach it, sista! Amen and amen to this! Cold creeks + little (and not so little) girls = a day of fun!

Anonymous said...

Your posts are amazing - always...

Rach said...

those hills and that creek are HOME. What a great reminder. Thanks Chy!

Jenn Jantz said...

amen. ♥

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