We were in Ohio when it snowed here the day after Christmas. Lucky for the boys, it snowed in Ohio too, or I never would have heard the end of it! We were also fortunate that all of the snow gear we had left behind last Christmas still fit. One quick trip to get some thermal underwear and the boys were ready to go.

It is amazing the difference one year makes. Last year, Jake could not get enough of the white stuff but Sam lasted all of 5 minutes in the cold.  This year, I had to drag both boys inside after over an hour of fort building and attempted sledding. I grew up in Ohio and I know how much fun all that snow can be so I could not blame them for whining when I said they had to come in and warm up. If they could have been out there all day they would have been.

With such a short visit we weren’t able to visit some really fun places…there is a toboggan run near my parents house and lots and lots of great sledding hills. I know the boys would have loved it. Winter in Ohio never meant being stuck inside and not getting any physical activity…just the opposite. It was a chance to really work hard getting up to the top of a hill to spend 15 seconds sliding down or even hit the local ski slopes.

I hope the boys have an opportunity to try more winter sports like skiing or skating. Anything they can learn to love once the cold and now settle in will help make sure they stay active all year. I suppose living here in NC has the advantage of warmer weather longer but sometimes it is fun to shake it up and do some activities you can only do when it is cold out.

What do you like to do in the winter? Do your tweens ski or snowboard?

We will be hitting the road and heading to Ohio this week for Christmas. Each year we make the 12 hour drive to see our parents, cousins and friends we have left behind. While none of us enjoy the long road trip, we do enjoy the time we have once we arrive. The one thing that makes it even more special is some snow while we are there. We have our fingers crossed for a White Christmas again this year.

Jake and Sam enjoying last years NC snow

I miss snow. I can’t say I miss days and days of it non-stop or wind chills below 0, but I do miss snow. I spent my entire childhood in Ohio and I remember the snow forts, snow men, snowball fights…you name it and we did it when the white stuff came raining down. I am sad that my boys don’t have that same experience so if we can get just a few flakes during our 4 days at my parent’s house I would be happy.

Last year the boys lucked out…snow in OH and snow here in NC. Who would have expected that?! I have already been checking the weather channel and it seems we may get lucky again this year….it may even snow on Christmas Day!  Of course, just like the weather here, that forecast can (and will) change 10 times between now and December 25th. I can only hope we get just enough for some fun outside and not so much that we add 4 hours to our car trip

What about you? Are you heading north for the holidays? Hoping for snow?

It seems like the weather may actually be changing. The humidity is not so awful and the temperatures aren’t climbing into the high 90s. All I can say is…..YEAH!!! I can now insist that the boys take their war games, nerf darts, basketballs, frisbees and other various flying objects out into the backyard. No more feeling guilty or worrying about their health and fear of dehydration….get out there and run and jump and be boys (without breaking anything in our house:))!

This is a Tween who needs to get outside to play

I grew up with a brother and lots of male cousins. I know it is in their nature to want to shoot things, throw things, tackle and run. I also know that my house was not made to take that kind of abuse. Don’t get me wrong…I don’t have fine china or priceless heirlooms…..I DO have a TV, the occasional lit candle and I do appreciate being able to see out my eyes (I have been hit a time or two and it was not pretty).  September brings lots of changes…school and work, but I may be most happy to add outside play time to the list.

I am looking forward to more peace inside the house….let them yell outside and burn off all of that energy. For the summer months my only recourse was to send them to their rooms when they got too loud or rowdy. Now I can send them out into the sun to get it out of their system and I can do a walk through for darts stuck to mirrors or pictures knocked off tables

Are you excited about the changing weather? What did you do with your Tweens all summer to let them blow off some steam?

Where do you and your family spend most of your time?

For us, it is most definitely in our backyard.  It is the one place we can relax and be together as a family.  It is where we spend our free time.

We have enjoyed staying cool and wet in the backyard this summer.  I have really enjoyed the summer, but I am starting to wish away this heat.  I find myself day dreaming about the leaves turning colors and wearing soft, comfy sweaters.

Our backyard will still be our hangout, the activities will just change.  Instead of kiddie pools and the hose on the trampoline, we will play soccer games and tetherball.  It makes me happy just thinking about it…playing outside without dripping with sweat….ahhhh!!

I am also finding that my baby is growing up.  No longer do I have to sit in a chair and rock her while I watch the older children play.  I can actually be out there playing with them.  This is something that is sometimes hard for me.  I look forward to having a break, so I will grab a chair and read a magazine or do some texting.  But really, I want my kids to remember me always being active and having fun with them.

I love our backyard hangout and love being there with our children and friends.  It is truly a magical place where lots and lots of memories are made.

Where is your family hangout?  What are your favorite things you do together as a family there?

It seems spring may finally be here (I know…I may have spoken too soon,) but I am a positive thinker!

If we really can count on warmer (and very soon longer, too) days, we should also count on doing all we can to get our kids outside and moving! With two boys and working in a school, I see what too much time cooped up inside can do to a child and it is not pretty. All that energy inside needs to go somewhere and I don’t know about you, but I would rather it be directed at a soccer ball or bike than my living room lamp or our Xbox.

Don’t get me wrong…..I think video games have a time and place (like very long car rides) and my kids do know how to play inside without breaking things, but I don’t want them to fall in love with being inside the four walls of our home. I want them to enjoy playing outside. I want them to meet kids down the street and play cops and bad guys. I want them to yell, get dirty and really, really tired (all this makes for easy bed times, too!)

I see too many kids today with their heads buried in the Nintendo DS or tired after running one lap around the playground. It is up to parents to push those kids outside. Don’t give them the option to stay in. Get out there with them, go on a bike ride or take a walk with the dog. It is up to parents to set the example and with spring and summer on their way, it is time to show our children how much fun it can be to get out and live a little in this world, and not just the one created by their games and TV.

Any ideas for ways to get kids to want to go outside and play? What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?