Getting outside with medically complex kids comes with the normal challenges of taking kids outside, but also comes with a completely unique set of obstacles to overcome and logistics to coordinate. More and more research is coming out showing evidence of improved physical, emotional, and mental health in children that spend regular time outside. This … Read more
One of the very first things I taught in my high school biology classroom was how to make observations about nature. I took my ninth and tenth grade students outside to three trees next to the parking lot and I asked them to make as many observations as they could in twenty minutes. It took … Read more
Earlier this year, I was out on a hike with my boys when we crossed paths with another family on the trail. The mother was trying, in vain, to get her family’s attention by pointing out a woodpecker busily searching for food in a nearby tree. Both her children AND her significant other had their … Read more
In the vast landscape of outdoor gear, the Cozy Cloak is an innovation that bridges protection and simplicity for families venturing into the great outdoors in less than ideal conditions. Crafted after a disastrous cross-country skiing trip, the inventors of the Cozy Cloak (and parents of two tiny humans) were determined to extend outdoor pursuits … Read more
Every year as the amount of daylight dwindles you may feel a shift in your personality. This is most often referred to as the “Winter Blues” or in the more serious form, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons… sapping … Read more
One of the most common questions I get as a winter loving mom is, “how do you dress kids to stay warm for winter play?” Luckily, I have the answer for you here, and also luckily, it’s not that complicated. Layers are the answer, and getting the right fabrics for those layers is key. Layering- … Read more