My family loves to be outside. Actually, that sentence only tells part of the story, I should have said, my children love to be outside, even when it’s cold. I, on the other hand, do not really care for going outside with them when it’s cloudy and below fifty degrees. The words, “do not really care,” aren’t 100% accurate either. What I really meant was, I truly dislike (bordering on hate) going outside with them when it’s cloudy and below fifty degrees.
At school, Carson had made a construction paper kite that he was dying to fly. All day I’d felt chilled, despite continuously adding layers and rubbing my hands together and announcing, “BRR! It’s COLD!” The outside thermometer read forty-four degrees, it was cloudy and windy, and my internal good parenting meter was running low on two (out of ten.) I mustered up my resolve and finally agreed to go outside, but only after I tried and tried to convince Carson that it was too cold and that watching TV under a warm and cozy blanket would be way more fun than flying a kite. Since I’m telling the whole story, I only agreed to go outside because it was an excuse to take a few shots for my 365 project. Had I already taken THE shot of the day, I would have adamantly refused to face the cold weather and commenced a Nick Jr. marathon.
As soon as we went outside, the wind hit us in the face like a sucker punch. Both Carson and I gasped, then held our breath as we battled our way to the yard. “See Mommy? It’s not that cold,” he managed to say through chattering teeth. He began to run, his construction paper kite pretending to fly behind him. I snapped a few shots, but hadn’t even had a chance to decide on the proper exposure when Carson stopped running. His shoulders were hunched in an attempt to form into a tightly wound ball of warmth.
“Why don’t you run, Carson? You’ll get warm if you run,” I suggested.
“Uh, Mom? I think I need to go to the bathroom.”
We made our way back into the house. “Carson,” I said, “when you finish, we can go back outside.” (Who AM I??)
“We’ll see,” he said, repeating my go-to phrase that really means, “no we won’t.”
I’m with you. Anything even remotely warm and cozy trumps going outside in the cold, but construction paper kites … that’s pretty darn cool.
.-= Stacia´s last blog ..Stops and Starts =-.
I hate going out in the cold too. It’s kind of amazing how often I end up outside in yucky weather for the sake of the kids. I’m practically a saint.
Cool kite!
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s last blog ..Worms and Dirt: Wednesday of Few Words =-.
I’m the odd one out in my family, not minding going outside in any weather (though too hot and muggy is not my fave). I used to be called the ‘mad woman of the island’ when I would walk the dog in the rain etc at my last home (yes, it was an island).
Lovely shot of Carson, even if it’s not the right exposure.
I hate going out into the cold in the winter. I feel bad for my kids cause bundle them up and the cold doesnt bother them at all!
Funny that he told you “we’ll see”… I use that one on my son all the time
My favorite thing to say which really means “No” is, “Not today!” I like it because it leaves open the possibility that the desired event *might* actually happen at some point in the future, even though you and I both know it won’t.
Also, you are my kind of mother
.-= rimarama´s last blog ..Sweet/Tart =-.
I *hate* going outside when it’s cold too… I’d rather not take Zack to nursery than go outside when it’s filthy weather! At least he came to his senses, right?
.-= Marylin´s last blog ..Playing with Photoshop… =-.
People go outside in 50 degree (or colder) weather?
Hmmm.
Signed,
Your Orange County Friend
.-= Twenty Four At Heart´s last blog ..The Tale of My Tampons =-.
My kids are also huge fans of the outdoors it seems like no matter what the temp they are ready to go. So funny he didn’t want to tell you he didn’t want to be outside. He just made an excuse. Priceless!
Wait. You mean there are mothers who DO go outside when it’s below 50 degrees?!
Now I know how people felt when they found out that the Earth isn’t flat.
.-= dusty earth mother´s last blog ..A Difficult (But Still Entertaining) Conversation =-.
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gone outside with the kids just because I wanted to get a picture. Just about every time, actually. I’m usually pretty thankful once we get out there, though.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Thank God for Google =-.
I’m not the only one who prefers snuggly blankets to romping around in the brisk weather? Good to know.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..It’s National Pig Day! =-.
That’s a great shot! Love the color composition. You are a good mom for going, no matter what your motives were! And I love the “We’ll see.” I’ve had my own words come back to bite me in the you know what also!
.-= ~Laura´s last blog ..Comfort Zone =-.
too cute! my kids BEG to go outside and then whiiiiiine and complain about the cold. UHG.
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Cookies! Everything is Better with Cookies! =-.
The best part of the whole post is the “we’ll see” at the end…I love it. Too funny. My words always come back to bite me through the mouths of my children…
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..CR: Dog Doo Day =-.
i feel your pain….i hate the windy, cold nasty weather
Funny. Today we almost reached 50C and it was incredible. Everyone went outside during lunch time and came back with a huge smile on their face. And when we had that temp. in Fall we just felt like hibernating. Winter changes everything
I have always hated the cold…This year I finally got myself some godawful ugly boots and a big ol’ parka, and I actually enjoy going outside now. Funny it took me 32 years and 3 children to learn to dress appropriately for the outdoors! My mother is saying “I told you so!”
Cute post, I love the “We’ll see…” it made me smile.
.-= Momma K´s last blog ..Why reading my blog is better than facebookin’ =-.
I’m with you. I’m always cold…We live in New England, the land of the 6 month Winter.
Putting on a coat, hat and mittens seems like so much work when it’s just to play, but not when we’re going out for a drive somewhere. Makes no sense!
It has to be perfectly sunny and dry for me to suggest playing outside…and above 32 degrees. I guess it’s all relative, because when it hits 44 degrees here, it’s usually late April, and I’m even ready. And usually coatless with that balmy temperature.
.-= LZ´s last blog ..Mom needs to play fair, too =-.
Brrr…. my boys want to play outside, EVERY DAY even if it is only 20 degrees outside. I cannot stand just standing around out there watching them play. Grrrr…. I wish we had a fence and then I could just send them out there and wave from the nice, warm house! Around here – forty is like a heat wave – ha!!!
.-= Brooke G.´s last blog ..SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDDIN’ =-.
its still a great shot, you can really feel the movement in it.
.-= Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Flash Back Friday-The Fish Incident Edition =-.
found you from MomDot’s top 100 list
And I don’t blame you one bit for avoiding the cold. My child would freeze her digits off before she ever admitted to being cold so I have to applaud your son for admitting defeat by weather!
.-= Heather (formerly Maternal Spark)´s last blog ..Is the Marketing Through Mom Bloggers Circus Over? =-.