Tis the Season

When I was younger, I LOVED the outside. My mom would have to drag me inside for supper. My number one punishment? Not being able to go outside. During the summer months I sported quite a tan.  Of course, this was in the days you lathered yourself up with baby oil by the pool. Not something I would recommend.  The winter months were no different.  I can remember going outside in the negative temperatures with my parents telling me "only for 15 minutes."  15 minutes?!?!? You've GOT to be kidding me! There was SO much to do. Building snow forts, snowmen, snow angels, going sledding. Who can do all that in 15 minutes? Plus, I WAS NOT COLD!!!!! I had 20 layers of clothing on for crying out loud. In the end, as always, my parents won.  At least I got 15 minutes right? There were many kids that did not get even that...........please keep reading :)

Now MY children were the opposite.  That hated, no wait, they despised "the outside".  Their punishment?  Go outside and play......PLEEEAAASSSSEEE!!  Not sure why this occurred.  Maybe the fact that they were born in the era of video games.  The era when you, as the parent, were told that it developed hand eye coordination. Yeah, right.  What it developed was kids not wanting to go outside because "it stinks", in the literal sense. You now whats funny now?  My grandchildren LOVE the outside (just like g'ma **wink).  Guess who has to go outside and play with them?  Yep.......my daughter. My son, who lives in New York, spends quite a bit of time outside now also.  Who wants or needs a vehicle in New York when you can walk.  YAY!!!!!  My children might not have liked the outdoors when they were kids, but they sure spend a lot of time outdoors now as adults.  hmmmm I think I'm just going to leave that last sentenence alone and pretend it was due to the fact that they loved spending time with me........inside ;)

Here in central Illinois we have not gotten any snow as of yet. But I'm sure it's coming. So as I wait for the snow to arrive, I thought I would create my own little winter scene and remember the days that I played outside until my fingers and toes were numb. shhhh don't tell my parents!!