Just wanted to share a little glimpse into our outdoor time this morning as I'm sure you can all relate:
Took 15 minutes to get children dressed to go outside. Finally ready to run into the backyard and child A has his boots off and one mitten in his mouth. I rectify situation. Now ready to go outside.
Get outside, child B falls within seconds. Cries for about three minutes. Starts playing. Child C has lost a mitten. I rush around looking for mitten and put it back on. Child A has his boots off again and is walking through the cold mud in his white socks. Find boots and put them back on.
Child B starts crying because with all the outdoor gear on he cannot get onto the little car he wants to ride. I stand back and use encouraging words. He gets it all by himself!
Child C has both mittens off now and is chewing on a plastic toy that was sitting in the mud. Find mittens and put them back on. Take toy away and wash mud off face.
Child B has hat off, one boot off and is sitting on the ground crying, defeated. Comfort child, put clothes back on.
Child A has boots off again.
15 minutes have passed since we got outside and I call it a day and round everyone up to go inside.
Child B, who has been crying since we got outside is now crying again at the news that we are going inside. Child A runs away.
Child C takes mittens off again.

I am exhausted.