Yesterday, my youngest two boys and I visited a local riverfront park. My intention? To let them run off some steam and allow the outdoor air to absorb some of their shouting and yelling and general energy-slash-chaos.

I admit it: I’ve been cranky lately. We still haven’t completely adjusted to the start of the school year. I feel like I’m always slightly sleep-deprived and running just a bit behind. The boys have been more on edge than usual, bickering, instigating fights and whiningwhiningwhining. And with the weather getting chillier, we haven’t been getting out enough. I always mean to, but when I’m already overwhelmed and tired, the thought of heading out on a chilly day is sometimes more than I can bear.

But tonight, I figured we’d go to the park and the boys would do their screaming and yelling on the swings and slides. At least then it wouldn’t be bouncing off the walls directly back into my ears.

As it turned out, the boys wanted nothing to do with the slides and swings. Why would they, when there were LOGS to climb on?

Hundreds and hundreds of yards of logs, laid end-to-end. And then there were STONES, huge stones you could jump on and over, as far as a five-year-old’s eye could see.

We were there for well over an hour, and the boys played on the logs and stones the entire time. I got out my camera and followed along behind…silently. For once, it was nice not to have to hear the sound of my own voice.

There were some accidents…

And a booboo or two…

But for the most part, the boys played cooperatively and peacefully and enthusiastically together, leaping and climbing from log to log, and from stone to stone.

Until they reached the end …

When we headed back to the car, pink-cheeked and out of breath, we were all noticeably more relaxed and happy than we’d been just a couple hours before. Once again, I was reminded how much we all—kids and grown-ups alike—need that time outside to be at our best.

And sometimes? Forget fancy toys and playground equipment! Tonight, I was reminded just how fun some logs and stones can be.

Have you and your kids discovered some simple outdoor pleasures lately? Post in the comments below!

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