Hanging out with my friend Kimarie and her 4 kids under 7 yesterday, she suggested going strawberry picking. (note: we had previously planned on going to a splash park, but it was kinda cold for that. I was content then to stay inside and have tea!) First thing I thought, and possibly said out loud: "Isn't that kind of dirty business?" I was trying not to be a party pooper, but I just don't like getting dirty. Never have. I wasn't prepared. But, Lucy DID have a change of clothes and her "outside" shoes, as opposed to her butterfly sandals. So I didn't have too much of an excuse. Plus I WANT to be one of those moms who likes to play outside..but I am not experienced. I've NEVER been camping, people!!! So, in the spirit of friendship, and the fact that Kimarie could swap out carseats, and get all 5 kids in her car, I had no reason not to try!
As soon as we got out of the car....smells like cow poop! I see NO cows! (Can I hear you actually calling me a wimp?!) Fine. Walk over to the little rows of strawberry plants, with our boxes. Kimarie's kids are off and running (or the little one safe in the stroller...content to be on his own....Lucy would never have tolerated that as a baby! Of course she never was required to!), and I let Lucy walk out there herself. It was up and down these little hills, so it was a constant challenge to her balance. But you know what...she LOVED the challenge. Sometimes at home when she falls down for no reason, she cries. She was falling down left and right in the dirt hills, and just got right back up to get some more!
Here she is on purpose doing a head touch down...to be closer to the earth?! Can you see the dirt spot left on her forehead? 
Just sitting IN the strawberry plants!Anyway, we all had fun, the dirt wiped off fairly easily, I didn't even change her clothes for the ride home! I did laugh though and tell Kimarie, "I think this is the dirtiest she's ever been...minus food sources!" She was like "REALLY?" I said "We don't do this sort of thing Kimarie!" And Tim REALLY doesn't like dirt. I have to help him thru these times to say it's good for her! It really is. I was just listening to a lecture on allergies, and as we all know allergies are on the rise in the last generation. However, kids who live on farms, who have pets and who have older siblings all have much less (if any) allergies. The common denominator: poop! All three of these scenarios have much more exposure to poop, (sorry to say, ingesting it!) namely "endotoxins" in the poop. So allergists have come up with the "hygiene hypothesis" (we're too clean for our own good) and are looking at how endotoxins might trigger our immune system to go down the path of not making all these histamines. It makes sense to me. But being a nurse in the hospital I of course have to be very rigid about handwashing, and even when I come home I follow that routine. BUT dirt don't hurt....(except for those rare occassions that I won't discuss!), so have at it kid. And mommy will try and enjoy it with you!!!
In summary, Kimarie, I've learned from your parenting (among other things) that it is fun and good to get dirty!! You are the QUEEN MUM of dirt! haha. (her house is spotless though by the way...that's not the same as playing outside!) Bring on the endotoxins (God help us!) and NO allergies!!!
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