A little bit of sunshine…
…a breath of fresh air
Rejuvenates the soul…
…and awakens the mind!
Summer is here! Today marks our last official day of the ‘school schedule’ as we know it. We plan to take June off from the basics and focus on two very important things – a better routine with chores and lots of time spent in the outdoors!
Why so much time spent outdoors?
- It’s dangerous! {That’s right, you heard me…}
- It’s educational!
- It wires the brain to learn!
- You’ll think clearer.
- You’ll focus better.
- You’ll enjoy life more.
- You’ll feel more relaxed.
- You’ll feel more connected with your family.
- You’ll feel more productive with the rest of your day.
- You’ll feel more connected with the Lord {nothing like enjoying creation to draw you close to the Creator!}
In light of that, we are taking up the Daily Outdoor Challenge again this summer. Despite our soaring desert temperatures, our goal is to spend some time playing, exploring and learning together outside every day! I’ll give you a peak into our explorations and activities here each Friday. We are always looking for fresh inspiration and see others enjoying the outdoors too. Starting next week, feel free to link up a blog post, leave a comment telling us about some of your adventures or even post a picture to my facebook wall! What I love about this challenge is how it is open-ended. The options are endless… Puddle jumping is a favorite over here and one way to look favorably on our approaching monsoon season! 🙂
Our big {fun} project for the summer is Nature Mapping our Neighborhood! We’ve just begun and the boys are super excited! I’ll be sharing more about it next week!
I am a indoor person and these are helpful for me to understand to be outside.
i am doing a BIG persuasive essay on why you should have recess outside and this came out really handy. it helps. THANKS!
This is a great idea. I like the challenge and will do it. However, the summer is the easiest time for me to do it. I’ve never understood anyone not going outdoors in the summer. It’s the winter that I struggle to go outside. Here in the greater Pittsburgh, PA/Northern WV area the winters are DARK, COLD, AND LONG with short sad, gloomy, days.. I have been making an effort to go outside for 1/2 hour or more each morning to walk: even in the cold. I admit, I feel much better for it but I still am very ready for the best season of all which (for me) is summertime! Spring and Summer represent life, happiness and limitless energy to me while winter represents sadness and death. I think where someone lives has a big impact on this challenge. Maybe in AZ it’s difficult to go out in mid summer like it is difficult here in mid winter. However, all places have their own beauty and ups and downs. People prefer different things too. I really thrive in warm to hot weather with abundant sunshine. Thank you for the challenge. I walked this morning in the sunlight even though it was 4 degrees outside. After 30 minutes I had to come back in to warm up.
Even though the cold temperature were nasty and biting I will not deny that I have felt GREAT and energized all day since I went out.
I would have to agree that I think you have it harder to get outside in the winter than we have in the summer. Sunshine is certainly helpful. Here in the hot desert, our more homebound time is the reverse of yours which is why we have to be intentional to not stay inside all summer long. So excited that you are taking on the challenge!
I love this post. People are so confined and contempt with staying inside and missing out on life. Everyone needs to go outside and just do something.
I totally agree. It is easy to slip into and forget how beneficial it is to get out side!
*raises hand* ME! ME! I’ll do this with you! 😉
nature mapping has me absolutely intrigued! can’t wait to hear more.
Love this challenge, even in the midst of summer.
Also wanted to invite you, to share this post (or any other that you love) to encourage other moms. We could use your joy, your goofs, your creative, your photos, your celebration of anything mom. Our momma notes together become a little melody over here …
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/05/sometimes-momma-misses.html
Splashin’
Sarah
Yes…it is so important….I agree! However, it is a discipline that we must work hard to implement. My children…it’s natural for them to be outside…for me, not as easy as there is so much to be done…always. 🙂 Thank you for this reminder…I always feel better when I have been out in the fresh air. Happy Summer to you Heather!
Love,
Camille
We try to spend some time outside each day as well. Makes it a little more difficult with all the ENORMOUS mosquitoes that Michigan seems to grow, but if we’re in the sun, it’s not as bad. Then it’s just HOT. Not so much fun for this large bellied mama. 😉 So, we go out and then come in and then go out and then come back in…repeat. 🙂