(7/2020) Warm weather is here! We have been closed up in the house for a long time. Winter always seems long and we look forward to Spring and Summer and nice warm weather. This time has been especially long and hard since we have been quarantined for months. Now that the nice weather has finally arrived we need to get outside and find an exercise or activity to get us moving.

I know many of you kept up with your exercise routine while being confined indoors but now you can get some fresh air and maybe enjoy some things outside. While we still need to be careful and keep a safe distance from people we do not live with we can go for walks, hikes, bike rides and explore the outdoors. We may not have organized sports teams together yet but you can practice with the kids. Shooting baskets or playing volleyball or bad-mitten with the family is a great way to get moving and share some family time.

Gardening is another great way to work those muscles while planting seeds that will provide food for the table. Many people are planting a garden for the first time or getting back to it if they haven't had one for a while. Working up the ground is great exercise and tending to it will keep you moving all summer long. The weeds always grow to give you something to do and watering also gets you outside each day, if only for a little while.

Vegetable gardens are great for giving you something in return for your hard work but flower gardens can be just as rewarding. Watching the flowers grow and seeing the bright, beautiful colors bring joy to everyone who sees them. Getting the kids involved keeps them busy and teaches them about nature and the joy of growing their own food. Many children don't realize where the vegetables in the grocery store really come from. Schools and community neighborhoods have gardens to show the kids how to plant and take care of the garden.

This year many of those projects have not taken place because of the school year being cut short and the summer camps not being open. Even if you plant a couple of tomatoes or cucumbers in a container the kids will be able to watch it grow and turn into what they see at the grocery store.

Swimming is another great summer activity if the pool around you is open, but only if you feel comfortable being around people. Some people are lucky enough to have their own pool and that would be a wonderful activity to keep the whole family moving. Maybe if you can't or don't want to go to the community pool the kids could have a sprinkler or water balloons. I know that may sound old fashioned but that's what we use to do years ago.

A lot of the things that were popular when we were kids are still fun today. Maybe you could introduce bike riding, playing hide and seek or running through the sprinkler to your kids. Getting away from the TV and video games can be fun if the kids give it a chance. Some parents have made a screen free day and once the kids actually go outside and play or go for a hike they really enjoy it. You may get some resistance and whining at first but I bet they will have a great time, even if they won't admit it.

Whatever you decide to do in the great outdoors you will benefit from the fresh air, sunshine and exercise. I know many people will be getting back to work soon or maybe you already have. Just remember to take a little time to enjoy your family and the great outdoors. Thinking about how long we were confined inside over the past few months will probably help you set aside some time to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine if only for an hour each day. Remember, Keep Moving!!