NANA SAYS ENJOY TIMES WITH GRANDCHILDREN

Taking time to have sleepovers, little outings, going to movies can be some simple activities with the grandchildrn. Offering some parental relief to the parents for a needed break. Most children are at camp or if older having summer jobs or volunteer experiences. A backyard can be an adventure with spots to make a little fort. Of course children will fight over the same stick to use as a toy! Walks and talks. Ball. My grandchildren love the pine cones. So what to make with them becomes creative! Collected some feathers recently to use in some crafts!  A trip to the Dairy Queen for an ice cream- even for those with nut allergies! Plain cones work! Accompanying the children with the grandchildren on day trips helps with another pair of adult eyes on all of them. Getting out of the house so the outdoors can be enjoyed. And put down the gadgets!

NANA SAYS WARMER WEATHER BRINGS OUTDOOR SIMPLE FUN

Once the ground is dry and the weather is nicer, the outdoors beacons. Having a yard to have some simple fun lets children and parents burn some needed energy. Walks, bike rides and trips to the park can be part of a daily or weekly routine. Running and exploring simply brings back the joy of just living. Put down the gadgets and collect natural things like pine cones or sticks. Listen to the birds and try to identify which one is there. Teach the names of trees and plants or whatever else is in the environment to children young and old. After a long winter, it is so pleasurable to use the outside as "another room". The dirt stays outside. The children have fun. It is amazing too how everyone welcomes being outside. No coats, boots or heavy clothes. Easier to get dressed and undressed. My little grandchildren love a simple local park- they call it "Grandpa's park"! A walk pulling a grandkid or two in the wagon, good exercise for this Nana. Enjoy some outdoor fun today!

EVERYONE GOES OUT ON A NICE DAY

It only takes one nice day to bring everyone outside. Not sure if it is flip flop and shorts weather but yesterday there were several people dressed for summer even though it is still cool spring weather. Having the furnace off during the day and windows open with fresh air, is well refreshing! Time to sort clothes for the warmer season and start to put away the winter woollies! Cardigans are a nice transition piece of clothing. Some small home renovations are coming- replace the toilets, a kitchen tap and buy a new dishwasher! The garden is becoming alive. With the ground dry, the kids can be outside. With the normal Canadian tradition to layer up and layer down when dressing for the day, So the nice days are calling! Oh Spring is finally here!

THE LONG WEEKEND OVER

Going back to work after a long weekend is always difficult. But after a week's vacation when the weather just started to be warmer is even more difficult. The good news is the days are getting longer so there is more time to be outside at night. At least until the mosquitoes come out in full force. May allows for a break from those pesky bugs! Outdoor activities bring double work to home owners. The inside work does not go away. Eating outside on the porch does eliminate some work. Let the crumbs fall so the ants can eat them! Or the squirrels and birds find them! Weekends become busier! Thus the long weekends always allow for some extra time to get the "jobs" done! How is your outdoor garden coming along? Have you mowed your grass again and again? Are you enjoying the birds chirping at 4 a.m.? Are your trips to the cottage lots of fun? Oh Spring! Love this time of year!

NANA SAYS OUTDOOR PLAY IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN

With the warmer weather here, the outdoors becomes a great playground. A fenced in yard can keep children safe. Depending on the day- bug spray, sunscreen , a good hat and we are now advised to use sunglasses for not only adults but children of all ages. My yard is paths and gardens so teaching the little to leave the dirt in the garden and the stones on the path is a constant struggle. We are creating a little area under one of the trees so it can become " a fort"! Cheap plastic toys, a wagon and somewhere to sit makes for fun! My yard is full of rocks that the children like to climb and sit on! If you do not have a yard, there are many parks with lots of equipment or just go to the grassy area for some creative play. Make a picnic! Low tech! Old imagination! Listen to the birds- identify them. Teach about the trees! Pick up pinecones- then try to find uses for them! Nature becomes a lesson in constant progress! Walks, jogging and long bike rides work for older children and teenagers! If you are a lucky one with a cottage, learning the rules of the water- swimming, boating- learning to canoe or row a boat, and whatever the area brings in terms of wildlife and vegetation! Every adult becomes a teacher! Of course reading a book outside or doing a craft with natural products becomes fun. What do you have in your yard? Can an area become a castle for a princess and prince? Can a section of your garden become the little one's spot for flowers or vegetables? Get a bird book and a natural atlas for your area! Have fun looking up new any unknown "thing" with the family! Even if teenagers appear to be totally uninterested, keep at it anyway! They continue to learn through osmosis! As we spend more time outdoors with the children in our lives, it can have a great benefit on us! I find the screaming, and sometimes fighting that occurs with my grandchildren is less annoying as the sound evaporates into the air! Of course, helps with naps and sleeps as the play and air does tend to tire children. Tires adults as well! Oh the great outdoors- just love it!

NANA SAYS SPRING BRINGS SAFETY ISSUES

Being outdoors with little ones means reviewing the safety rules. Crossing the street1 Playing in the street! Helmets when riding bikes! For some reason we all become more relaxed with the warmer weather coming. Hats and sunscreen by the front door. Bug spray bought for the rest of the season. Teaching the little ones and big ones about the safety issues is paramount. And water safety! Life jackets in all boats. Continue to provide swimming lessons so children don't panic in the water. A work mate of mine said her mother is finally going to learn to swim! Are there areas in your life to be reviewed? Of course, don't talk to strangers in the park!

STEAK ON THE BARBECUE

Along with sping flowers and songbirds, Spring is the renewel of the outdoor barbecue. Although some folks barbecue year round with enclosed outdoor facilities, we start again in April and try to go until the end of October. All meat and grilled vegetables just taste better barbecued. It also gets us outdoors and enjoying the garden. I always put my patio furniture on the porch the beginning of April. Do you love to barbecue? Is it an excuse to be outside? Or do you just love the simplicity of the cooking? And it saves getting the oven dirty!!