For some reason, my children do not like playing in the snow. They ignore me when I suggest they go outside and play. They whine when the suggestions become stronger. They grumble as they put on their snowsuits, and they do so only after being bribed with hot cocoa. I think the problem is that our yard here in town just isn’t very interesting. Uninterested in either snowmen or snow angels, mostly all they can do is trudge about, climb the drifts and try to toboggan down a drift with the bottom of an old guinea pig cage.
This has put a serious damper on my goal of raising all-weather children. I don’t need a general practitioner to tell me that playing in the snow is good for you and getting a broken bone or two is all part of the fun of childhood. Apparently, I just needed five acres out in the country.
Before I even have the house unlocked, they have dragged out the toboggan and begun working on making a trail down the hill. Mouse challenges herself by standing up and they keep a running tally of who has gone the furthest. Impatient for a turn at the hill, one of them commandeers a carton from the bottled water and uses the plastic wrapped cardboard as a secondary toboggan.
I go in to paint, listening to the noises of them coming in and out of the basement. They come in just long enough to defrost their fingers and toes before the call of the great outdoors lures them out once again. I smile as I listen to their screams of delight and think this is what childhood should be.
I finish my painting and grab the camera to take a picture of their rosy faces lit up by the thrill of play. But this is all I find.
They’ve hiked down to their fort to see how it has stood up to the snow storms and escape the wind themselves. I go back to my painting until the sun hangs low on the horizon. They come in for a snack and are upset to find me getting ready to leave.
“Ten more minutes,” I tell them.
And they race outside. Apparently, jumping off hills trumps dinner any day.
In the morning, in our little house in town, I suggest they go out and play in the snow.
“Do we have to?” they complain.
No, my children do not like to play in the snow. Such a shame.
Roscommon Acres is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Turn your children out on the pasture, pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation!
Friday, 8. January 2010
Sounds like they love the country life… Smart kids!!!
Marci´s last blog ..More Snow
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Friday, 8. January 2010
Once we’re out there they do. Getting ready to leave, it is all foot shuffling and dawdling. Of course, it’s a bit of a drive and I think small ones have a hard time seeing past the car ride and the fact I just interrupted their play.
Dana´s last blog ..Raising all weather children in the country
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Friday, 8. January 2010
How I would love to have some snow for my boys to play in, and that includes my BIG boys of 18 and 22
Shawna´s last blog ..EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
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Friday, 8. January 2010
We have enough to go around. Had to shovel drive three times yesterday and it could use it again today!
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Friday, 8. January 2010
My kids would *die* to see this much snow much less play in it! (They’re so deprived.)
Anita´s last blog ..Winnie the Pooh is forever popular
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Friday, 8. January 2010
This winter is reminding me of my childhood growing up in Northern Indiana. We’d make snowmen that lasted for a season. Here, we get a bit of snow every so often, but it always melts off before the next storm. Until this year, anyway. It did hit 36 once between storms, but not long enough to melt much. The pile to the side of the drive is up to my shoulders now. I need to somehow take care of that because I can’t see oncoming traffic when I back out of the drive.
Dana´s last blog ..Raising all weather children in the country
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Saturday, 9. January 2010
i had to come over and see where you were mocking my cold weather from. i still don’t know, but at least you have snow. snow makes cold weather more bearable. right?
melissa stover´s last blog ..Hibernation
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Saturday, 9. January 2010
Yes, snow makes it a little more bearable. You know it has been freezing cold when you go out with no hat or gloves and your jacket undone when the thermometer reads 0 degrees!
Dana´s last blog ..Raising all weather children in the country
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Saturday, 9. January 2010
Today, both kids and dad were away, skiing and riding. I had the house to myself, a rare treat, but the sun reflections from all the glistening snow was just too tempting. Even without the kids, playing in glistening snow is not to be missed!
Sandra Foyt´s last blog ..How To Write The SAHM Blogger Resume
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Sunday, 10. January 2010
Very true! I don’t get much time alone at home without the children, but I do leave my eldest to watch the smaller ones for a few minutes so I can take a walk through the snow on the property. Kinda tiring, but peaceful and beautiful.
Dana´s last blog ..Raising all weather children in the country
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Monday, 11. January 2010
Great post, Dana! I love it. Brings back so many memories of playing in the yard with my brothers and sister until after dusk when Mom would have to threaten us to get us in to eat dinner. It’s so much more fun in the dark! My daughter loves playing in it, too, but it’s much more fun with a sibling or two and my sons are all grown up.
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Monday, 11. January 2010
My kids love playing outside after dark! They had so much fun playing tag out there. It was nice to see because they are a little afraid of the dark when getting ready for bed. Maybe a few more games in the dark and it won’t be such a big deal to them!
Dana´s last blog ..On reading the Bible in 90 days
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Monday, 11. January 2010
Oh, that looks like so much fun! I love spending time with my husband’s family out in the country. It is so different from the city-life we live. I’m glad your children are enjoying the snow!
Dana´s last blog ..Two Great Picture Books
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Tuesday, 12. January 2010
It is different…and I hope we enjoy it as much once we’re living out there. Right now, I’m having difficulty looking past all the work we have left to do.
Dana´s last blog ..The Carnival of Homeschooling is up!
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Sunday, 24. January 2010
Oh, I love it!! You paint a wonderful picture with your words!!! Be Blessed, Angie in GA
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