I can still smell the cool country air. There was always a blanket of humidity lingering on summer mornings. It was like nature's way of saying, "Girrrl, I'm heating this place up today!" Birds chirped their happy songs and bugs hummed those creepy sounds that made my skin crawl. 

A world of adventure awaited!

As a child, I visited my paternal grandparents on weekends and during the summer. My cousin, Christy, would stay with me most of the time. You could count on my grandparents to rise well before the sun made its appearance. We'd wake up to the smell of biscuits and bacon, eggs and grits, and other delicious, artery-clogging country foods. My cousin and I were so excited to get dressed, have breakfast, and head out the door!

 You'd find us on our bikes traveling to far away lands or digging for mystical creatures in one of the gardens. We'd hike deep enough into the woods to meet Big Foot and then fish in one of the ponds beside the house. We knew how to dig our own worms, put them in a can with dirt, grab our rods and a bucket, fill it at the water's edge, bait our hooks, make a catch, and then gut & scale the fish with minimal assistance.

True country girls!

At some point in the day, we'd risk it all by jumping from the top of the barns or climbing the tallest trees. We loved to swing like Tarzan after tying a rope to a thick branch. Almost nothing was off limits when we stayed with my dad's parents. Those days were totally carefree.

We were the definition of wild child!

There was no internet. Nintendo was the big deal but I didn't have many games. Super Mario was our favorite! When we watched television, it was either a cartoon, comedy/horror movie (on the VCR), or MTV. I remember recording the videos and learning the choreography to so many dances. I had moves back then y'all! 

Times have changed so drastically. My childhood freedom seems like a dream. My kid's may not get to experience as much reckless abandon as I did with my cousin, but I'm doing my best to let them be kids.

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked about my family's activities in the past few weeks. People want to know what we're up to and what's on our agenda for the summer. It's so much fun to plan activities but as you can see below, my answer is simple.

This. My girls will be doing this.

They will be outside rocking their brown girl braids. They'll spin in circles until nausea is comical. They'll laugh and shriek at the highest decibels, spreading their magic all around. They'll dig through the gravel annoying ants and getting their nails disgustingly dirty. That is where my girls will be most of the time.

Besides taking care of necessities, our summers are pretty chill. We do our share of academics and reviewing material from the previous school year but we wing it as much as possible. This time around, I plan to have the girls outside daily!

Nature is good for the soul.

A little sun and a lot of fresh air is vital. Spending time outside grounds you and opens up your creative channels. If you pay attention to your body, you'll find yourself experiencing less resistance to life and less stress. I get to enjoy all of this goodness outside, too, when I'm not fighting bugs! *the struggle*

Want to quickly handle those inevitable sibling fights over television shows, snacks, games, and every other ridiculous, send-mommy-to-the-psych-ward thing? Send them outside! Have a hormonal tween who can explode at any moment like me? Find or create an outdoor activity STAT! If I don't yell anything else throughout the summer, you will hear "go outside" without fail.

Outside is the answer people!

Nature may not solve every problem but it offers options. Options are good for parents and kids! I want my daughters to play and get dirty. I want them to run until the gas pain hits. I want them to sweat so much that the skin on their necks gets sore. 

Remember that?!

I want them to thirst so often that I have to yell "Stay IN or OUT of the house!" I want them starving and wanting their dinners as much as the squirrel wants that acorn on the movie Ice Age. Most of all, I need them so tired that their legs stagger en route to bed after having a bath.

I do. I really do!

Those are the kind of days I remember. That's how my childhood was! My lungs were strong and full of oxygen. My mind was open and full of wonder. My muscles were lean and flexible from so much activity. 

Of course, we had down time as well. We loved to color, play with dolls, pretend to work in a bank or own our own businesses. Reading was one of my favorite things to do and even as a kid, I loved to write! I have no problem with my girls doing indoor activities but kids today just don't get out enough (IMO).

I won't allow my disdain for insects to rob my daughters of their youthful freedom. I won't allow technology and my love of social media to keep me distracted and them locked inside. I've made their childhood memories a priority by allowing them to be themselves, to use their imaginations until it gets on my nerves, and to fall in love with living.

That's something money can't buy!

There are many activities on our calendar. Sure we have events we want to attend. However, all of them can and will be abandoned if the color of a butterfly intrigues us. If we're lucky enough to witness a mother deer nursing her doe, we won't blink! If a furry creature moving like a ninja to avoid predators catches our eyes, it must be stalked and photographed. That's a given! If the rain falls and puddles call, we have to answer.

I think it's safe to say that if anything interesting happens, we won't make it out of our yard. How wonderful! I hope the same amazing experiences happen to you!