I read a lot of parenting articles. Recently, I read an article that encouraged not letting kids play in dirt, and definitely not to let them get buried in sand. I realize that strange things can happen. I’m not a doctor. The following is unsolicited, unprofessional advice: Let the kids play outside! Common sense says kids need to be in nature (unless severe allergies tell you otherwise). USNews says (regarding electronic devices) “increased screen time is associated with higher rates of childhood obesity, behavior problems, ADHD, poor sleep quality, poor physical activity and poor school performance.” What better way to get kids off of the couch than to take them outside? According to the same article, parents need to lead by example- because our kids are watching. Really, adults need to play outside and unplug too! Your body and mind will thank you.

Over the last couple weeks we were able to escape from the land of wifi. We got lost in a mixed terrain of fresh air and campfire smoke. We dodged mosquitos, got dirty, and caught frogs.

We swung from trees and floated weightlessly in the Tahquamenon River.

Fun fact: The Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are nicknamed the “Rootbeer Falls” because of the coppery brown color; which is actually due to the tannin from decaying trees, cedar swamps and other organic matter that leach into the river.

We also floated down the Two-Hearted River. Since I’m on a fun fact trivia kick… did you know that Ernest Hemenway was inspired by his time spent in Michigan? One of his books is actually named Big Two-Hearted River.

But the best thing about this area isn’t the floating, the idyllic rustic campground, or the picture perfect swaying footbridge. It’s all of the rocks. Seriously. Looking for agates and skipping smooth flat stones (trying to anyway) is just good family fun. I’m sure Hemenway would have agreed.

You know what else is good family fun? Scrabble. Ok, the kids aren’t interested. But my sister and I had an epic battle. It lasted for hours. And I will give her this satisfaction: she got a seven letter word on a triple word score. You can make your own assumption about who won.

Equally as impressive is this skillet; which covered the entire stovetop and cooked 5 pounds of bacon at one time.

Since we’re on the topic of food, my five-year-old decorated this cake. That’s my boy! (It was actually granny’s idea, inspired by Pinterest.) A perfect kitchen project for kids: Slice an angel food cake into three layers. Blend a mixture of marshmallow cream and Cool Whip to spread on the layers, top with berries. Let your child feel like a successful pastry chef.

While we’re on the subject of good ideas… I’d like to take a moment to give credit to a couple of dads who made a movie theater in the woods with a projector, a camouflage tarp, a white bed sheet, and some Gorilla Tape.

We ate drippy ice cream cones, and took long walks. We lost our front tooth, well one of us did. And we found out that if you put your tooth under a pillow, even in a cabin in the middle of the woods… money will appear. We visited places off of the beaten path. I took random pictures of things I liked.

We topped the week off with more family and friends on the shore of Lake Michigan. We soaked up as much time in the sun as we could.

My phone was left with a dead battery for days. True story.

Aaah, yes… already looking forward to the next “unplugged.”