Backyard

I make it no secret that I long for wide open spaces from my children (and dogs) to run and play.  I don't like the fear of the road or nosey neighbors watching every move we make.

It can be hard living on a military post.  The houses are close together, the parking spaces are right next to the house, the houses line up perfectly so we can see in each other's windows, the fences are low, the walls are thin.  I can hear my neighbors talking...talking, not yelling.  When we go outside, everyone knows it.

I grew up with room to run and explore.  

I want that for my kids.

But we have a small square piece of rental property in the middle of post in Alaska.

And for that I am thankful.

This summer has been so nice so far.

My children are outside all the time.

They don't know that their yard is small.  

The talk to the neighbor children over the fence while jumping on the trampoline.

The have a safe place to play without the worry of traffic.

And for that I am thankful for our backyard.

Someone (I won't mention names, but she is about 2 ft tall), hates it when her sisters are outside and she is inside.  She tries so hard to climb the couch to get to them.

Well, today, she figured out that if she scooted the Barbie box over to the couch, she could climb on it and then the couch.

She is a smart one!  She is just like her sister, Olivia.  She also learned to climb before she could walk.