into the woods!

My kids have discovered the woods. We started hibernating way too early at this house so I started a 15 minute mandatory recess each day. It's the same brilliant plan as before...send them out for fifteen minutes, and call them back in five hours later. Once they find their fun outside (if dressed for success: snowpants and mittens) I can hardly get them back in the house for dinner. (Also, I send them outside with snacks and a waterbottle. It seems to greatly add to the sense of adventure for them!)

But I love it. Doesn't it just feel good? My kids are doing exactly what I spent my childhood doing. My mom said she did the same. They have raked a path of dirt, pushing the leaves aside. Each kid has their own "room" with doors made out of leaf piles. They have made chairs and tables and decorated their homes with scrap lumber Rory had in a pile. They pretend they are Pa and Ma Ingalls and when Hattie comes out she is baby Carrie.

It is good. Childhood outside is so good.