I have officially been a mom for almost eight years.  I have been busy being pregnant, birthing babies, changing diapers and raising kids.  I am not complaining…I love every minute of staying home with my kids.  But there is one truth we all share as mothers.  It is really hard to take time for ourselves.

I recently shared a conversation with a mom I admire beyond words.  She was telling me how her only time to workout was after her kids went to bed.  My jaw dropped at her dedication and work ethic.  By the end of the day I am usually pretty worthless. 

This is something I feel we all struggle with, keeping up our homes, raising happy kids, keeping up with the bills, homework assignments and oh, I almost forgot…taking time to take care of ourselves.

This is an area where I have failed.  I often feel exhausted, frustrated and unable to get the exercise and personal study time accomplished each day.  I feel like I can’t continue to put myself last.  I need to somehow make a change to get my exercise and quiet time each day. 

My children are getting older and I feel like I finally am at a point where I can join a gym.  There is a small amount of guilt I feel inside by putting my kids in the daycare area.  When I start to feel this guilt, I remind myself how important it is for me to take care of myself so that I have the energy each day to keep up with them.  I also remind myself that I want to be healthy and strong to be here for them for as long as I can.  Here is to a summer of health and excercise for mom!!

**I took this picture while I was in Utah of a girl biking…it inspired me!

How do you take time for yourself while keeping up with all the responsibilities of motherhood?

Now that the weather is finally nice, we pretty much live outside!!  Right now we are loving going to the park and beach as often as we can!  But I think the best place to be is right in our backyard. 

My tween has boundless energy and he LOVES to play!!  Since I have been a home-schooler this year, we get a few lessons done, run around outside for a while, get a few more lessons done and are back outside.  About the time the school bus drops kids off at home, the fun begins.  The kids are on the trampoline, playing tether-ball, basketball, playing in the sand box and  swinging on the hammock. The kids will stay out there until I tell them it is time to go. 

For me, this is a dream come true!!  I love having my kids right where I can see them and having a place that is fun for everyone!!  I think kids belong outside: barefoot, running, yelling, kick and throwing balls and playing with their Barbies in the sand. 

I have lots of fun ideas swimming in my head about more fun things the kids can do in the backyard as they get older to inspire their love of being outside.

- Give them a whole pile of wood, nails, hammer,  paint and trinkets to build something.

- Give them some fabric, long  sticks and rope to build a tent.

- Fill a baby pool with sand and water for a fabulous mud bath.

Those are surely some of the things I will have my tween doing as he gets a little older.

What are some fun activities you do with your tween outdoors?

I absolutely adore being outside……when it is warm.  I love to spend my days with the children at the park, the afternoon in my backyard and my evenings at the beach……….PLAYING!!!  I believe the more time a child spends outside the happier they are.  Right now I am ready for the cold weather to go away!  I grew up in Florida and love the warm sunshine.   I L-O-V-E it!!!

So in honor of  ’I am totally over this cold weather day’ here are a few of my favorite activities to do with children outside!!

-Go to the beach, even before it is warm enough to swim!  Bring a frisbee, a soccer ball or a bucket to collect shells.  Meet a friend and chat while your kids spend the day exploring the beach, catching crabs, collecting shells and playing tag!!

-Playing basketball in the driveway.  It is great exercise and fun time with your kids!

-Going to the park, watching your kids running and getting tons of excercise!

-Going on bike rides, walks or running together.  Everyone gets exercise and good quality time together.

-Feeding the ducks!

-Going to the pool – ahhhh!!  A full day of sun, swimming and fun!!

-Playing in a small backyard blow-up pool.

-Soaking the trampoline and watching the kids slip and slide while they try to jump!

-Water balloons!!  I love water balloons, they are LOTS of work but so much fun!!

-Hiking – this is more of a family event but always makes for a wonderful day!!

-Playing catch, hitting baseballs, kicking soccer balls and tossing footballs in the backyard!!

Playing with water guns – NON-STOP fun!!

What are some of the things you like to do when it is warm outside?