It's been cold and wet this winter, and we've suffered from an extensive list of minor ailments that has made me think I should just hibernate my family away until springtime. The start to 2014 has on a whole been quite glum, but for the first time I have had a glimmer of hope for brighter days and better health. After the onslaught of storm after storm after storm, something magical happened this weekend. The wind dropped, the rain stopped and the sun shone again. Not only was mother nature being kind with the weather, she also saw it upon herself to allow myself and the kids to feel well after weeks of battling various viruses and spreading germs among ourselves in an elaborate game of pathogenic pass the parcel.
It's amazing how a little winter sun can lift the spirits and energise the soul. So, dressed in our cosiest woollies and armed with some snacks to keep us going, we headed off to have some much overdue family fun in the great outdoors.
Freddy has only just got himself back on track after struggling with a nasty virus that lead to a secondary infection and a problem with his glands. But in the last few days, we've seen him go from strength to strength and a day in the sunshine proved the perfect tonic! His big sisters also benefitted from getting away from being stuck indoors and had great fun unleashing their inner child and getting down to some fun and games. You are never too old to simply get back to basics, put away your electronic gadgets and devices and enjoy enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors.
Days out don't have to be elaborate or expensive. Simply being outside sparks a child's imagination, giving them the freedom to explore, challenge themselves physically and look at their surroundings with their natural curiosity. Little ones can discover mini-beasts that scurry away when their leafy homes are disturbed. They can spot little plants pushing up through the soil and buds bursting from the branches of once dormant trees. They can splash in muddy puddles, emulating the favourite pastime of Peppa Pig, and watch as they create little waves and ripples around their feet. Simply feeling the sun on your skin and the gentle breeze tickling your face is a joy, and something that we have all greatly missed.
Freddy was free to embrace his little outdoor winter adventure and he loved every minute of it!
And when all that playing, exploring, discovering and challenging left the kids feeling a little peckish, a quick Barny cake bar filled with apple or strawberry filled them up sufficiently and gave them the energy to play some more!
“This post is an entry for BritMums ‘Winter Little Adventures Challenge’ sponsored by Barny, individually wrapped bear-shaped sponges with a hidden filling. Find out more about Barny here.”