Oochee

What is it about being outside? Is there some magic in the air? I have spent a lot of effort trying to keep our family at home--bonding, resting, renewing...this is what you are "supposed" to do when you adopt children. Create a safe and structured environment. Make sure that they know that you are their forever parents (and forever siblings). Reassure them that this is it--no more huge changes or moves. This worked for about a week or so in our home. Now, staying indoors usually results in grumpy, fighty frustration. I'm amazed at how walking outside can change everything. Constant arguing and whining can just melt away when you cross the threshold. Enemies (a.k.a. siblings) become best friends. Stressed parents become patient and playful. It really is magic.

This has been true of the Galt family thus far, and Tihun and Solomon are following suit. Solomon grabs his shoes constantly begging to go outside. He points at the window and makes his little "I want it" grunt. Tihun begins at 7 o'clock in the morning asking when we can go "chow" (goodbye) or "oochee" (outside). Our days are 100% better if we make it outside. The problem is that I don't have a lot of options in this stage of life. Four kids are difficult to manage in most environments, it's so hot that we can hardly breathe, Solomon takes 2 naps...but I've found a few things that work for us. Splash pools and sprinklers are our friends.

So far my favorite outside adventure with the kids (with other adults) has been the beach. We have gone twice (day trips) with the kids and were surprised at how well it went. Adaline and Arthur LOVE the waves. Tihun enjoys the sand and was impressed by the "telik woo ha" (big water). Solomon dives into either water or sand--literally DIVES.

I'm so happy that our whole family loves to be outside. Why fester inside when you can blister outside?



*That is Arthur's head at the top of the wave in the last picture. The waves were intense and they didn't mind being knocked around a bit.