My kiddos do so much better outdoors than indoors. When Timothy was just an infant and cried almost every waking hour (cardiologists said he was doing this to keep his damaged heart pumping), one of the only ways to calm him was to take him out on the apartment balcony and let him feel the breeze and see the trees. To this day, Timothy prefers the outdoors. He says it isn't noisy outside. Tom Sawyer was the same way about the outdoors as a baby ... well, as long as you didn't try to put his bare feet down in the grass. Then he would pedal his feet and scream until you picked him back up. Tom Sawyer also calms down if we go on a walk or he swings on the swing set.
This past 2 weeks all of the kids have been squabbling endlessly. On a normal day, they squabble way too much for my only-child self. But the past 2 weeks have been worse than usual. The heat has also been unbearable, so there has been very little time outdoors. But today the weather is wonderful. The sun is shining and there is a perfect breeze. For the better part of the last 5 hours, the kids have been outdoors playing TOGETHER. It is such a nice sight to see. I am glad that we are home together to be able to spend this time building relationships. I asked Tom Sawyer, my Sensory Integration Dysfunction child, what he likes about the outdoors. He said it is fun. I pressed him to tell me more and he said he liked how soft the sounds were outside. Also, he likes the breeze. I pointed out that he hates the fan indoors. He said the breeze is different.
Here's to breezy, sunny days where my kids can be at peace in their tree house. It is so nice to see them enjoying themselves and to see my Tom Sawyer actually being a flexible child in his play. Often, much of the trouble in this threesome is Tom Sawyer being a very bossy playmate.
Blessings, Dawn
What a blessed day! The great outdoors can do SOOOO much for children. I don't know what we'd do if my boys couldn't spend so much time outside. What a great treehouse! :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Jenny
So glad you had this sweet day. Hasn't the weather been glorious!!! We have loved it here too. Hope it lasts for a little while longer too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Leslie
I loved your post on the outdoors, and I'll see this: therapy or not, there is such value in being out with God's creation. The outdoors is becoming one of my favorite places to worship. Your post gave me much-needed encouragement to get out in the post hurricane, saturated garden and weed. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI also thoroughly enjoyed reading through your weekly wrap-up and the "gotcha day" celebration. What an anniversary that must be. Our days have been largely event-driven, and unfortunately, it will be right before school starts when we have days with absolutely no agenda. Well, at least with this year's schedule, we'll have a number of breaks. It looks as if we'll take off the whole month of December, in fact!
Dawn, as their Grandmother, I am especially thrilled to see the photo of the two who are usually "enemies" actually sharing a book together. Each is holding one side of the book. This is truly special. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteDawn,
ReplyDeleteI pray for MANY more wonderful perfectly breezy summer days for you and your dc. I also pray for sweet moments of the two too. May your days be blessed my sweet friend. ((HUGS))
Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<
-Mary