National Wildlife Federation "Be Out There" Founding Mother Representing New Jersey, YO!

Did you know that this week, March 15th to March 21st, is National Wildlife Week?

[sound of crickets chirping]

I know what you're thinking -- what's next, Worldwide Pond Slime Day-- perhaps most parents (like me) will agree (especially, if your children are older) these days, getting kids outside and away from computer games, Facebook, Miley Cyrus, whatever, well, you'd think I was asking them to eat dirt, right?

"But, it's sooooooo hot!"

Heaven knows, I'm no saint (shuddup, Busy Mom and I thought you said you burned those BlogHer pics, Jenn?) I spend more time, at home, sitting in front of a computer, than not.

Then, I get up, get out, go help OTHER people work out and, you know, sit in front of a computer, some more.

"Stay inside, don't forget to lock the doors, oh, and dinner's in the freezer."

It's just a little harder now, you know? I don't like my kids to be outside, when my husband Garth [not his real name] and I aren't home.

Weekends, however, are different!

I have no problem ditching the housework, or kicking the laundry to the corner and getting outside -- especially, now that spring is, like, two days away.

Day 76: Family Photo Project

WHOOT, here in Jersey, anything above 50 degrees is considered flip-flop weather!

59°F | °C

Current: Sunny
Wind: NW at 3 mph
Humidity: 35%

Fri

72°F | 46°F

Sat

71°F | 47°F

Sun

71°F | 47°F

This weekend is no different; we've been invited up to Pittstown, NJ to visit with Hope's godparents, a.k.a. two of our most favorite dirt diggers (you know, Sassy's mom and dad) who happen to own a beautiful flower farm, too (yes, here, IN JERSEY!) and I'm taking my trusty little point and shoot camera, with me, to help celebrate National Wildlife Week.

Why? Well, seeing as my kids have been reading Your Big Back Yard and Ranger Rick for years (thank you, Grandma and Grandpa) I am honored to partner with the National Wildlife Federation as a Founding Mother of their Be Out There campaign, along with these fine women:

Jennifer James
Blog: http://www.mombloggersclub.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mombloggersclub

Tracey Henry
Blog: http://subdivablog.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/subdiva

Rachel Matthews
Blog: http://asouthernfairytale.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sthrnfairytale

Kim Moldofsky
Blog: http://hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com/2006/01/links-to-kims-published-writing.html
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kimmoldofsky

Amie Hurst Adams
Blog: http://www.mammaloves.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mammaloves

Asha Dornfest
Blog: http://www.parenthacks.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/parenthacks

Kristin Sundin Brandt
Blog: http://www.manicmommies.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kristinsb

Anna Fader
Blog: http://mommypoppins.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mommypoppins

Veronique Christensen
Blog: http://www.littleelephants.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/veroniquec

Holly Ambrose
Blog: http://www.tropicofmom.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Tropic_of_Mom

Debi Pfitzenmaier
Blog: http://voices.mysanantonio.com/sabusykids
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MomonMars

Christine Koh
Blog: http://www.bostonmamas.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bostonmamas

Cooper Munroe
Site: http://www.themotherhood.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/coopermunroe
http://www.twitter.com/themotherhood

Emily McKhann
Site: http://www.themotherhood.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/emilymckhann
http://www.twitter.com/themotherhood

Okay, that's really nice, and all, but 1) what the heck is it and 2) why, really?

[takes deep breath]

1) Be Out There campaign is an initiative to connect families and communities to nature, raise healthier kids, instill a conservation ethic, and inspire a life-long appreciation of wildlife and the environment.

2) B'cawse, Jersey gets a bad wrap (seriously, everyone's heard at least one joke, about Joisey, right) and we are so much more than what you see outside your window, flying over Newark Airport, ya' know?

"We're going fishing in their pond, again, right!"

ABSOLUTELY...especially, since we have a resident worm hunter...phew!

"But, what if it rains?"

[shrugs shoulders]

Either way, WE NEED TO OUT OF THIS HOUSE!

"No worries, they've got cable!"

Baby steps, right?

Aaaaand, even if you're not from Joisey...ahem...New Jersey, here's a list of things you can do, to help kids observe and explore nature, right from your very own backyard.

Or, follow the hashtag #nwfmoms on Twitter and find out what other families (like mine) are doing to help their kids, you know, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!

Me?

I'm taking the Be Out There Challenge and getting outside with my kids, every morning, the week of March 29th (spring break) and taking my camera, too!

Why?

[hands on hips]

B'cawse, taking a little walk, with the kids and Doofus-Dawg, before going to work, would be nice (for a change) and, well, I've got a micro blog to feed.

[FWIW: I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program - just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more - no payment was received for this blog post.]