Maybe I'll Go Outside This Year

I dunno if it has something to do with the weather getting nicer in the evenings, there being more daylight when I'm available to enjoy it or just getting tired of the same old routine day in and day out, but every year around this time I get to wishing I could take a break, pack up my fishing and camping gear and get out of town for a few days.

Some time down by the water always did my soul good, and God knows I could use the vacation. In fact, I used to go fishing almost every weekend and camping semi-regularly at Gavins Point, and as far north as Lake Itasca, before I moved and started a life here in Texas. I didn't really think about it much the first year or so because I was simply amazed at how people did anything when it was Sands of Africa hot outside. We lived in a tiny bottom-floor apartment and D and I both worked our asses off: the tent and poles found a cozy home in the outside storage closet.

As time has worn on, though, I've found myself wanting to go on that first trip in years. You know, before it gets too ungodly hot. I almost did last year, too. I bought a fishing license that I never used. But the important thing is I bought it and I could have used it. Prepping the supplies is as easy as spending a nice spring evening setting up the tent and resealing the seams, finding the tackle box in the garage and making sure I have a working fishing rod after all these years.

But maybe, just maybe, I'll go out this year...

Weekend Intelligence: Kids will play

To be honest, I was considering not writing an entry for this weekend. Save the 1st birthday BBQ thrown by one of my coworkers and the relaxing Saturday night, there really wasn't much to write about. But I figured I had a good thing going and I'd like to keep it that way. So, in typical weekend intelligence fashion, here are the highlights.

D was starting to feel sick on Friday, and by Saturday morning had a full-on cold. Since the kids were bouncing off the walls, I told Colin to go out and play. Clara was VERY upset that he was heading out, and proceeded to put her shoes on and run out the door after him. The both of them went over to the house across the street to play with the neighbor kids. Colin has friends in the neighborhood, but this was really the first time Clara had gone outside to play with other kids. She quickly became good friends with one of the little girls, while I sat on the porch and enjoyed the gorgeous Saturday morning.

Later that day, a coworker was throwing a first birthday party for his daughter, so I brought the kids and some beer and let D get some rest. The children had no problems inventing games, one which involved tearing down a dead tree with their bare hands... The coworker didn't seem to mind much; he was going to take it down in the next few weeks anyway, so they were doing him a favor by weakening it a bit.

I think it's good for her to get outside and play with the other kids. Colin can be shy, but eventually will open up and socialize with others. Clara hasn't had much interaction with others besides the few kids and adults she sees everyday. I was happy to see her adjust and have fun in new social settings. I don't know if it's a milestone or anything, just something I hadn't noticed her do before.