It was warm this weekend and we finally saw the sun. At one point there were 15 neighborhood kids swarming our yard and those around us. They were on the zip line, carrying chickens, climbing trees and one boy though it was fun to turn our compost.
When there is a break in the dreary, cold, muddy, wet, cloudy Tennessee days of winter – everyone sends their kids outside to play where we live. And we keep a mutual law with us parents that you have to stay outside. I love that have a little village of mommas around me that still believe in old fashion play, and letting kids run from house to house asking to see if friends can come over
“to play in the backyard.”
Here’s a few snapshots of simple play outside in our neighborhood full of simply natural parents.
Forts never grow old at our house. There are some kids under there somewhere. And I’m not sure what all was collected underneath there. I just know there is still a couple small piles of sticks, magnolia leaves and berry branches on the front porch.
Kids mingle to the neighbors house – because there was a fire! And they assume that means marshmallows with friends.
After stoping to visit with a friend this girl now says we need one of these in our backyard.
There are collecting something from nature and making soups….I assume. Or rather I’m guessing. They were busy.
This ONE dad headed to the park with this bunch of boys came over to use our compressor to blow up their giant ball with his TWO sons. Needless to say, he collected a few more along the way. They went to the park to roll down the giant sledding hill – inside the ball. Miraculously 911 was not necessary. 
My husband went duck hunting last week. While washing out the cars he washed out his gear – on the side of our urban neighborhood sidewalk. Good thing our neighbors didn’t have to wonder what he was doing?? Because just about any kind of playing outside is normal business around our parts. And while I don’t love the new hunting hobby, I have to cut the girl dad some slack for wanting ride ATV’s through the woods covered in mud with other grown men dressed in camouflage who think this is fun.
