Why Playing in the Rain is Good for Your Child

We are getting some much needed summer rain and today I let the kids play in it. That is the nice thing about summer rain, its usually pretty warm outside also. I remember as a child my mother letting me play in the rain and I adored it. There is something about rain that I have always enjoyed and my kids do too.

Why is rain play good for your child? Here is a list of reasons why I let my kids play in the rain.

1. It encourages a different kind of interaction with nature. Watching water run down leaves, create little streams and collect as drops on the plants puts things into a different perspective. We also like to watch the robin that lives at our house and the other birds dig for worms after a good rain.

2. They aren't going to get sick. That's just an old wives tale. The truth is, being indoors more when weather is bad and the close contact with others is what causes people to catch colds. Your immune system isn't weakened by simply getting wet in a warm summer rain, or we wouldn't be able to take showers. After being stuck indoors, the fresh air and running around is good for them.

3. It teaches them to be adventurous. So many times we are trying to stay out of the rain or worried about getting caught in it. Playing in it teaches them spontaneity and adventure. Go ahead and get out there too.

4. It's really fun. It really is fun and they always tell me I'm the best mom ever. If they have been inside all day it is a great release. Jumping in puddles, opening their mouth wide to catch rain drops and finding worms are all great examples of rain joy. Then we have early baths, towel snuggle hugs and sometimes even popcorn, hot chocolate and a movie.

5. It's an opportunity to learn about weather safety. This is especially helpful in tornado alley. We learn about what to do if there is thunder, lightning or high winds and what type of rain is okay to play in. I have also taught them about creek flooding and why we don't play at the creek when it rains. Science guys, it makes me happy.

Do you let your kids play in the rain? What is your favorite thing to let them play with in the rain?

Little House on the Prairie

Did you know that the Little House on the Prairie was on the way from Topeka to Tulsa? How in the world did I miss this? Sunday I decided (along with some help from my mother-in-law) that our run around and wiggle stop would be there. We took a potty break about 30 minutes prior but I wish we would have waited. The bathrooms at The Little House on the Prairie were far superior to the gas station we had stopped at. The admission was $3 for adults and $1 for the kids. I would have paid that just to use the bathrooms there. It makes a great rest stop.

I think that Ellie and Jack loved it the most. Jack talked to the donkeys nearly the entire time we were there. Ellie loved all the little details. The school, the post office and the little house all were perfectly put together. We even found a little turtle crossing through. My mom would have loved it. It reminded me of her. Such a fantastic learning opportunity. We talked about homesteading, why the post master would have lived at the post office and all sorts of things. I think it will be really neat to do some research, reading, maybe a couple episodes of the show and then visit it again in a few years. It is just far enough off highway 75 that it's nice and quiet, giving you that 1870's feel.

Take a detour and make your rest stop here. You won't regret it! Stop at the gas station for drinks and snacks or bring your own. We got butterscotch and peppermint sticks at the gift shop 10 for a dollar.

Love when I get them all together in a pic. 

Jack LOVED the donkeys. That was his favorite part.

The mail boxes were a big hit.

Ellie was really in her element!

Anyone ready for school?

Fun Peacock Inspired Wreath

Making wreaths is strangely fulfilling.  I don't know why, but decorating my front door gives me such satisfaction.  I was hunting down Christmas mark down deals at Hobby Lobby and got everything (except the ribbon which was 50% off) for this wreath in the Christmas Clearance at 80% off!!  I think I maybe spent 5 bucks! Thank goodness for some non-traditional peacock sprigs, green blue and gold!  I think I'm going to try and incorporate that gold letter J in every wreath this year!  Challenge accepted self!

Summer Water Fun

Right before Jack was born we took the kids in the backyard for a good ole fashioned water balloon fight.  We had so much fun that it has become a tradition that we spend an evening in June in some sort of water battle.  This year the kids were playing in their tent and we ambushed them with the hose.  They would get brave and run out to grab the cushions from the patio furniture.  They turned their tent into a sinking pirate ship and would try and block the holes and dig out the water.  I got lots and lots of pictures, that is when Dale wasn't spraying me with water, although most of them I can't post on the blog.  It's no fun to keep all your clothes on when you're being sprayed with water.  I highly suggest ambushing your children with the water hose.

Sneaking back in with a patio cushion.

My favorite picture.  She melts my heart.

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When it was time to go inside the kids dried off, got their pajamas on and had a hot cocoa picnic in the living room while they watched a movie.  If you haven't had a hot cocoa picnic you should try one of those too.  Just make sure to put a really thick blanket down that needs a good wash!

Zoo Pals

This year was my first year to purchase a Zoo Membership to our local zoo.  I've always been a little hesitant to make an investment in a yearly membership but this year I splurged.  I'm so glad I did too.  We went last Friday (our 4th trip since April), which was unseasonably cool for the first day of June.  I knew it would be packed but it wasn't bad at all.  We didn't have to wait in line, which was a life saver with Jack and Regan.  It was just the four of us since Ethan was at my Mom's house for the week.  We only stayed for a couple of hours but had so much fun.  Before when I would plan a zoo trip it would be a big event and I would try and squeeze as many things in as possible to "get our money's worth for the day."  Everyone would be exhausted when we were done.  Without that stress I was able to just let the kids lead me to what they wanted to see and leave when it was the right time to leave.  No one felt they had missed something because we would just see it the next time and no one got so tired that they had a meltdown.  I also let them pick one extra thing per trip and this time it was cotton candy, pink cotton candy to be exact.  This way we avoid the "I want's" and the whining.  I'm cooler than Dale now.

I doubt I'll get a membership every year but so far it's been a blast.  Here's some pics of our last visit.

Ellie's face makes me laugh in this one!  Ahhh!

Hello big fish!

Finally!  Up close and personal with the Jaguar.  My favorite!

We love the chimps. 

Jack thought the rain in the Rain Forest was so neat.

Goal for the year: Get a shot with all four kids as monkeys.
It's worth a try.

  

Super Kids Day

Today was the last day of school.  On the last day they have what's called Super Kids Day.  It's full of fun, games, inflatables and at the end of the day popsicles.  I volunteered this year to help with the games and because I'm super awesome I manned the water blaster station, twice.  It was really fun and especially nice when it was hot.  Kids were always willing to spray me down and any other adult in the area.  So here are a few pics from our fun day.  Since I was working it (pun intended) I only got a few pictures but I got some great memories, a tan and the kids were so proud that their mom made the water blaster station the best and coolest spot on the playground.

Ethan at the Tug-of-War games.  He smiled at me and waved!

Ethan at the Water Baseball station next to mine.  This is one of those pictures where I can see
a glimpse of what he'll look like as an adult.  He makes my heart melt.

Ellie in her classroom.  Girl was excited to go out and play!  Wait I have to take her home with me!

Ellie was more than willing to blast the boys on the side.  

He didn't know I was taking pictures and just laughed away.  I love him so much!

Remind me never to give her a popsicle.  I'm not sure how much she actually got in her mouth. 

And now its officially summer.