Summer is approaching...finally and that means getting outside and finding fun activities to broaden my little peanut's horizons. She is now 7 months old and by summer's end will be almost 11 months. There is a lot of growth and development to be had in that short time and I want to be sure to expose her to as much of the great outdoors as possible.
The Pacific Northwest is incredibly beautiful during the summer (it has to be otherwise, why on EARTH would anyone want to live here...ever!?) and I want to show Layla the water and the mountains and the beautiful animals that populate the area. It's exciting that sea lions sun bathe on the beach near my house and that whales frequent the Puget Sound waters and I know that Layla would love to see it all (I suppose that means I'm going to have to overcome my insane fear of whales though...hmm). So the goal for the summer is to get out there and explore!
However, here in lies the problem...my neighborhood has become a ridiculous place filled with trouble-making kids and crime. I loved my neighborhood when we moved in, it was built green and is beautifully manicured with parks and playgrounds. I have great neighbors and our house really feels like home. In recent months though, it has come to the point that I no longer feel safe taking my little one for a walk around the block...hell, going to the mailbox is a stressful experience. I am sad that this is what has become of our cute neighborhood and unfortunately means that I will have to venture to other parts of the city to have some summer fun with Layla. That wouldn't be a terrible thing except for the fact that car rides are equivalent to baby downers and she nods off the minute we leave the driveway.
I will persevere though in order to help my little explorer to become one with nature and not cringe at the feel of grass under her toes or cry if she gets a little dirty. I spent the majority of my childhood outside and in my opinion, that's as it should be. I have no desire to perpetuate another generation of couch potatoes, so why not start now. I'll just have to remember all of the necessities: Sunscreen - check! Floppy hat - check! Nutritious snacks - check! Blanket to sit on - check! Bullet proof vest - check! Stun gun - check! All set to go!
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