It is that time of year. Time for cultivating a garden, bbq’ing, picnics and warm days. Time for simplicity. I had the help of my trusty 7 year old while planting our garden this weekend (or starting to anyway). She was so delighted to dig a hole, squeeze the plants out of the little container and cover it up with the mound of dirt that she so lovingly dug out. She was beaming, I tell you. I loved watching it. My hope is that these moments will instill some deep love for real food, nature, simpicity and getting her hands dirty.
Looking back at my childhood, I remember a lot of outdoor time. We used to spend summers outside playing. Some days we wouldn’t even bother to make it back for lunch because we were so busy chasing down garter snakes and sneaking onto other peoples land to hit the creek when it got too hot. My friends and I would make yogurt pops and hand out in the back yard (usually hiding from my little sister). These days life is different. I don’t see kids roaming around, exploring and adventuring like we used to do. Oh my… I sound OLD! AND I walked up hill both ways in the snow. What am I? 100..
I want that for my kids. I want long hot days outside getting lost in the world of imagination. The simplicity of the rotating water sprinkler that causes the lawn to be sloppy wet but provides hours of running and splashing time. I want to make orange juice from the oranges in our yard and turn that into an icy pop that we can eat while sitting on the back steps. I want a watermelon to be squishing through their fingers while they chase the seeds and have a spitting contest. 
I want my kids to hand out on a rope swing. Where has the simplicity gone? These things are fun, simple, your kids will love them (and spending simple time with the family) and best of all – they are free! I challenge you to come up with some really simple warm weather fun. Have some outdoor educational game time. Gather bugs and see if your kids know what they are. Pick the herbs and show your kids that some plants can be for eating (but make sure they check with you before eating anything). Plant a seed and let them water it until it sprouts.. then see the amazement.. how did that happen? Perfect time for teaching them how things grow. I hope you have some happy outdoor summer day education!
