Outdoors!

We are getting a reprieve from the horribly cold weather of late, so we headed for our favorite nearby park on Friday to play on the playground, throw frisbees, and walk along the river.

It’s fun to look back at this post and see Beatrix in the same swing only four months younger.

Keats and Gabe (and Jonny too) really love frisbee golf.  It’s fun to have this new pastime. One that the kids can participate in with adults and not feel like they aren’t as good as the grown ups.

Beatrix plays steal the frisbee and run.

There was still ice floating in the river and sheets of ice along the banks even though it was sixty degrees. 

(photo by Gabriel)

(photo by Gabriel)

The day was so warm that the kids plunged into the river in their shoes.  According to Larkspur, her feet didn’t even get wet.  I LOVE Keen shoes.

But this was priceless.  Beatrix hasn’t gotten to spend much time outdoors since learning to walk.  It has been so cold, and she was so sick for awhile and had to be kept indoors.  When I sat her down at the river’s edge, she was so absolutely thrilled she couldn’t contain herself.

I am thrilled because she has proven that she loves the outdoors and the water like the rest of us which means that this is going to be a great year.  I am already thinking ahead to spring and the garden and my newest wee helper. 

She doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.  In fact, she seems to love dirt.

And this little piece of ice complete with it’s sandy coating went into her mouth.  I pulled it out and in utter defiance she grabbed a handful of river sand and shoved it into her mouth.  I think she learned a lesson.

I am still enjoying winter, and really I think this is a first for me.  Must be the new woodstove (we don’t even use our central heat anymore) and all that knitting.  For the longest time I didn’t have any indoor hobbies other than reading.  Now I have too many.
But, I still can’t wait to shove my hands into the soil this spring.