A pity about my mind…
With the rains back, it’s getting harder to keep the boys sane. They really enjoyed walks or playing out in the backyard, and when they would get really fussy sometimes getting outside would be just the trick. Better than drugging them, anyway. But now, even with the lovely new deck, it just isn’t as feasible to head outside for play time. We’re trying to figure out how to keep the house stimulating enough to keep their interest, but they’re just getting too big and too old to be interested in the same old toys and rooms day after day. Anyone have any suggestions? How to you keep 17 month old kids entertained over the winter? Is it time to send them to boarding school?
One thing we’re trying to do is set up a play area in the garage, which is simultaneously the best and stupidest idea we’ve had so far. The idea would be to clear out one side of the garage, put the SuperYard there to create an enclosed play space, and then you can head out there for “outdoor” playtime. I worked last weekend to clean the garage to get it ready. At the end of the night, I went to pull the plastic slide into the garage. It’d been raining all day, though, so I picked it up and shook it vigorously to get the water off, then pulled it inside and began to work feverishly to dry it off so that it wouldn’t drain water out into the garage. I spent a good 15 minutes on this, carefully wiping each surface, and underneath, an soaking up the puddles. Good. Mission accomplished. The garage remained dry.
Satisfied, I grabbed the keys, stepped out of the garage to pull the cars in out of the rain, so they wouldn’t be frosted over in the morning. I pulled them both in, closed the garage door, walked to the entryway into the laundry room, and then realized fully how much of an idiot I was. <sigh> 15 minutes to dry off the play toy. Then I pulled the cars in. Seriously, will my mind come back some day? This is starting to get scary…
Recently
October 29th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I have found the Everett Children’s Museum to be an awesome place for Sydney to burn some energy on rainy days. An annual membership would pay for itself in no time! However, I am a little paranoid to take her now because of the rampant spreading of the swine flu among children, not really sure how well things are cleaned, if at all
October 29th, 2009 at 6:59 am
you can try a bouncy or soccer ball and teach them indoor games . . . we love our little tykes basketball hoop, too (make sure you get enough small balls so you can all play at the same time). BUT, there is NO WAY to keep a small kid (or two) inside all the time!! sorry! dust off your jacket and welcome to the laundry-intense era for all of you. MUDPUDDLES are great! puddles are fun to stomp, splash, and float things in. wet grass is neat. so are storm drains, fallen pinecones, wet leaves and sticks. hats, mittens (sew them onto jacket sleeves if not already attached) and boots will help keep boys dry, but really you just have to adjust yourselves to the weather or you’ll all be certifiable before thanksgiving . . .
xoxo
gina and the guys (and b2!)
October 29th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I agree with Gina, put on there wellingtons and rain hats and go jump in puddles. Other option is baking nice warm indoors fun and very messy which they will like. chocolate cornflake/cheerio treats are fun to make and eat.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I say get them a Paddington bear or something equivalent.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I second the little tikes b-ball hoop. Also, my sister puts on music she likes and dances with her kids – always cheers them up.