Outdoors everyday. 5.5 Weeks Left Until School.

In my car right now are three floaties, one set of golf clubs, a skateboard, Fox helmet, sand -- and a mountain bike attached to a bike rack. Going into this summer (just one month ago), I made a vow:

We will spend everyday at the rivers, lakes, oceans and mountain bike trails.

We've been doing pretty alright with this. This week alone we have been to the river on Sunday, ocean on Monday, river on Tuesday and ocean on Wednesday. Being outdoors makes me feel normal; parenting outdoors let's me know that my child is experiencing normal. This is also for us to stay grounded, healthy -- and to not be affected by the chaos. It's nuts out there.

Getting her outdoors and, more specifically, ready and in the car is a different story. This hasn't always been an easy task. Sometimes preteens don't want to do what you need them to do. Often times there are influences that affect the flow and peace of the family unit. However, through my "just-get-her-into-the-car" tactics (re: attach shopping to it, attach food to it, attach friends or Aunty to it) and consistency, this cool kid now gets ready and into the car on her own AND asks me to take her places. She is part of the trip planning now! ...Through thick and thin, we commit ourselves to being outdoors everyday -- for the next 5.5 weeks. Here's to Summer 2020!



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