The Writing on the Wall

Actually, the writing is on the sidewalk, and the stickers are on the wall.

We're having a bit of an outside-play reawakening with the weather so nice, and it's going to be a rude awakening for the kids once the temperature dips and the snow starts to fall. Actually, they'll probably just want to go out and play in the snow. I know James will.

When we got back from running yesterday James asked if we could color with chalk on the sidewalk for a bit. My first instinct was "No, it's December," but I'm glad we gave it a chance. He had a great time helping us color a giant Christmas tree in the driveway, complete with lights and ornaments. This must be what people do in Arizona or New Mexico to decorate for Christmas.

Owen liked being outside too, but he didn't really do anything he would have done differently than his inside play. Basically he crawled everywhere he could and got into things that he wasn't supposed to. The difference with doing that outside is that there's no baby-gate keeping him out of the road. He attempted to cross the street and get to the school next door, he tried to go up the sidewalk of the vacant house on the corner, and he tried to cross the road, although we don't know why. (Ba-dum)

They both poked around the backyard (and got muddy) and fussed mightily when we brought them inside. The problem with living in Rochester is that by the time they wake up from their naps it's almost completely dark outside. (James and I actually did get a round of hockey in across the street, but he pitched a fit when I told him that pretty soon it would be too dark to see the puck.)

They both were all about going outside again this morning. We went for a run up to the bakery (which is basically just undoing all the work that we got done on the run) and when we arrived back I was on a clock to get showered, get J a turn in the shower, and get out the door in time to make it to Syracuse for a brass quintet service. The boys were having none of that.

"We wanna play outside!"
"WAHHH!!!"

I just got a text from J with a picture of Owen on her shoulders out in front of the house. Looks like the single stroller came in my car to Syracuse. (James was riding his trike, of course.)

I'll be sad when we can't take them outside to draw on the sidewalk and tromp through the backyard anymore.

But I'm glad we have a sled.