Lightbulb

I haven't been whining about the weather because new babies don't like to be hot, and neither do nursing mamas. Hot babies don't sleep very well. So, I haven't really cared about the cloudy, cold, rainy, ridiculously strange summer we've been having here...

However,

I've been pondering: Why is my toddler going crazy? Why can't she just calm down a little bit? Why isn't she thankful that I just took her to the movie theater and let her pick out a BAG of candy and down the entire thing?

Yesterday a lightbulb went off.

We met a bunch of friends at the park, and the sun even came out. We stayed for hours. And presto! A much happier, calmer, easier to get along with little lady. DUH!?!? I'm not saying I've completely solved her "terrific twos" by merely going outside for a little while... but it helped tremendously!

So what did I do today? Packed a ton of snacks and hit the road. I googled Tacoma parks and picked one that she has never been to before. Three hours in the sun climbing, running, swinging, and she was pooped. Red cheeks. Snuggly. Agreeable that it what definitely nap time. And this evening? Total princess. Fun, obedient, and joyful.

Just in time for fall. :)