Milder weather - get me out of here!

I don't know about other Mums of little ones, but I sometimes get myself into a rut of doing the same things every day and forgetting about that wonderful thing in life - Variety.

As the weather has turned colder in recent weeks, Lucy and I have gone about our usual weekly events like playschool, Longwood and playgroup, but the in-between bits when we aren't really doing much at home had become a bit stale. We were inside a lot (well, playing outside in the rain or the dark isn't much fun) and I was trying to get Christmas things ready - online Christmas shopping and writing cards mainly - while Lucy played around me, did some colouring or 'stamping' as she calls it, or watched the dreaded television.

Once Lucy has had a taste of TV after a period of not watching much (i.e. summertime), she gets back into her favourite DVDs as if they're a lifeline. I've been letting her watch one or two shows a day then turning it off and trying to entice her into some games, puzzle and stories. But when the days get dark early, she loves to curl up and just gaze at the TV, so often this idea of playing together isn't of much interest to her. Really we were both getting a bit bored of it - me bored of the same shows, a lack of interest in anything much I had to offer in terms of a distraction, and Lucy bored and lacking in energy without some running around and fresh air. Otherwise known as the dreaded Cabin Fever.

Thank goodness for the past few days when we have had some milder days and no sign of the biting wind we had last week. I've seized the opportunity to get us wrapped up and get outside as much as possible whenever we have been at home.

Yesterday we went to the park in Lucy's little blue car and had a great time on the playground, and running around in circles with the car on the basketball court. We had a fantastic time and both ran off a lot of energy and re-ignited our rosy cheeks. I was convinced Lucy would crash last night but yet again she was up all evening, messing about in her bed, calling me, wanting to get out and basically not sleeping. here's hoping tonight will end that habit she has got into which has lasted a few weeks now.

After school this morning we went to Wegmans as usual and headed home to play with her Cozy Coupe car on the new pathway. It was damp with dew so she asked me to wash it (she is SO my child!) and then played with it outside the back door for a good 40 minutes while I put the shopping away and caught up with email, one eye on her through the storm door. She went to the shops to buy me some shoes, she took it to the car wash, and then parked it lovingly against the wall - over and over again.

This afternoon I hope we can get out again for a quick scoot around the block at least. I am determined to keep doing it and getting outside even on the colder days. I am a home bird and too like to curl up and shut the cold out, but having a little person means putting in a bit more effort into my own gross motor skills as well as hers!

Here are some photos of her in the garden this morning. Fingers crossed all this fresh air will get her down earlier tonight.

Showing off her beloved panda necklace

Now she has the sillies - see what some fresh air can do?

P.S. If anyone knows a Toddler Whisperer who can cut a lovely straight bob, please let me know. I am dying to cut Lucy's fringe (bangs) but she HATES it, so the ordeal always ends in tears, bruises and a wobbly hairdo.