Day 6 - Burn After Reading

 

It was a gorgeous day here yesterday and right from the first streaks of sunlight in the morning I knew that we had to get out and make the most of it.  I don't only mean we had to get out cause it's been raining.  Oh no.  I mainly mean we had to get out because I'm just not that into the outdoors, we've been mostly inside for days and the sun is freakin out, if I don't get out now and make the most of it, I'll go mad.  

So here's the bottom line.  I'm going to make a ton of excuses right now, we're going to mentally burn this list and I'm going to make an extremely achievable goal in regards to the outdoors.

But first:

• I watched, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of TV growing up!
• I grew up in a different climate where there were 4 distinct seasons and I enjoyed going out for the summer and winter but here it is just summer and rain (I'm exaggerating, not really, a little)
• To expand on my previous point, I always stayed in when it rained growing up so I'm a little confused as to what to do in the rain.
• I hate the park.  Always have, I'm trying very hard to avoid the always will.
• I have a regular habit of over or under dressing in the spring and fall.
• I don't like wet clothes.  
• My biggest passions are indoor ones.

Okay so with all that said and done let's get to the point.  As a parent, I feel it is extremely important for children to get outside and be active everyday.  I also feel that a lot of physical activity helps children sleep well.  As I trek through the blog world I see these two thoughts mirrored back to me and the emphasis on getting outside seems a bit heavier to me since I'm essentially at a loss.  I bought a book to help me out with this only to discover it was better suited to my previous home with 4 seasons which was also an eon before I had a kid.  I'm so thoroughly impressed with the nature walks, nature crafts, hiking and continuous outdoor activities that many people partake in every day and although my impression is that it is all utterly cool, I am utterly not interested.  

And it is not just because I'm not outdoorsy, it's because I'm not outdoorsy with a child.  Before C I did some hiking and walked everywhere, but the thought of unhappy people in wet clothes times 2 plus me having to carry C which happens even on short walks is enough to keep me just going to the boring old ball room at The Quay.

Can you smell my guilt yet?  

Alright, already so burn all of the above (except the pretty pictures).

Yesterday was a gorgeous day and we absolutely had to get out and enjoy it so I called St. Tania (our sitter) who was watching other kids today and is my antithesis (she's totally outdoorsy) and we latched onto their plans and hit a park.  Essentially it's a fake it till you make it move but it worked.  We got outside and it was great.

Another achievable goal for me is to hit Grouse Mountain once a week.  I recently bought a membership and C is free, we are two blocks away from a bus that goes straight there, I figure, rain in the city means snow on the mountain and snow and I go way back.  We can always do it twice or more a week.

So that's it.  For now.  The Latch Slash Snow Project.  Plus the 20 minutes we spend walking around the neighbourhood, to you know, walk to the ball room.  Okay, okay, it really isn't that bad.  I'm an actor, I'm dramatic, I need to give myself a break.

Alright, the Giving Myself a Break Plan:  It's not like we never go outside; It's not like he's watching TV all day when we are inside so baby steps to finding activities that I am really passionate about in the outdoors and pursue those.  In the meantime, I'm great, he's great, no one's going to die, I'm doing a great job - LOVE WHAT IS!!!  

Sigh.  The pressure this mama can put on herself!

To wrap things up the Green Smoothie Challenge Day #5 was another great day with some original smoothie making as well.  I'm feeling pretty content, in fact, I could definitely keep this up for longer. 

Great.  Now that that is all of my chest with much love I just want to wish my Mom a happy birthday. Your pressie is in the mail.  Wishing a wonderful day to all.  Suzanne