A new love

Like most of the Eastern seaboard, New York had a wonderful spate of 70-80 degree weather in mid-March. I apologize for any posting absences, as we were busy outside enjoying the wonderful weather!  During this time, I introduced the boys to the concept of eating 'al fresco' and spreading blankets in our backyard for lunch. Big B particularly loved this idea and continues to ask for picnics at nearly every meal, and especially on days that Mama and the boys are home together.
Unfortunately for B, the weather has cooled off quite dramatically and now fits the average temperatures for April in New York. Not exactly my idea of a fun picnic! Add into this a wet lawn and gusty winds... we just aren't going to have picnics any time soon.

So we moved the picnic indoors! 

Here are my tips for a perfect indoor picnic:

1) A nice, big blanket suitable for spreading across any large area inside. We spread our blanket over an existing area rug, moving aside all toys and large objects. It was a nice excuse to have B help me with 'cleaning up'.

2) Finger foods. For this particular picnic, we enjoyed peanut butter half-sandwiches, grapes, and some cheese sticks in bite-sized pieces. I like how staying inside actually meant that we ate cleaner food: the boys hadn't been playing in the dirt immediately before sitting down for lunch!

3) A relaxed attitude. Have fun! Make silly sounds while gobbling down your food. Hop around like bunnies before you munch on carrot sticks. Maybe make a special drink for your indoor picnic, like chocolate milk instead of white or adding some seltzer water to regular orange juice. 

It will be magical.