The other night I wanted to go for a walk to meet my exercise goal for the week. I had planned on doing it alone and I wanted to do it quickly. So I wouldn’t disturb any other schedules, I was going to do some “mall-walking” because I wanted to stay inside and I needed to get some Christmas gift ideas. I rarely “mall-walk” but it had been snowing all day long. It was cold and dark outside too.

Here’s how things turned out
I announce to my family. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Can I come” my son says.

“Sure” I reluctantly say. “Were do you want to walk?”

“To the park - outside”

Groan. Not my plan but… I usually try to do follow along if my son wants to do it.

We get bundled up and step outside. Surprisingly, it’s nice. It’s refreshing. It looked much worse from the inside looking out.

We throw snowballs. We march letters into the snow. We play. We walked to the park and back and then built a snow fort in the front yard. After hefting a dozen giant snow-bricks made from a plastic storage container, I’m exhausted.

Time melted away. I forgot about schedules and getting in a “quick workout”. I got my exercise and I got much more: Time with my kids and an irreplaceable memory.

Go outside and play!