What do you think of when you think of spring?

Blooming trees

Flowers pushing through to display their glory

Warm days filled with playing outdoors

Riding bikes down streets filled with black plastic bags filled with newly cut grass clippings

Lemonade out on your porch

Digging in dirt to plant a garden

Sweat-filled brows and dirt-covered jeans

For many of you, the visions you have of spring resemble the glimpse of spring moments I listed above. Spring is the time of year when your family spends tons of time outside exploring, working, and playing.

For my family spring are a time of ever dripping noses, rashes caused by topical allergies, and itching eyes.

For my family, spring means checking the pollen count level that is sent to me in a daily e-mail. If it is a high pollen day, the medicines JDaniel takes at night during most of the year are taken in the morning so, he can play outside during recess at school or attend a birthday party outside.

For my family, spring means long socks worn under lightweight pants to prevent the skin on his ankles and legs from having a rash.

For my family, spring means skipping playgroups if the host of the week chooses to host playgroups at a local park.

For my family, it means playing for a short time in the early evening when the pollen count has dropped.

For my family, it means exploring the library for new books, the children’s museum for new exhibits, and exploring the play equipment at an indoor playground.

For my family, it means doing loads of crafts, playing loads of games, and playing with a load of construction equipment in JDaniel’s room.

I hope spring will change for us. JDaniel’s allergies have lessened a little this year. Maybe someday he will be able to play a spring sport, work in a local community garden and not fear the green that coats the world outside in the spring.

Until then we wait for mid-summer when the things he is allergic to diminish and the green haze fades.

This post is linked to Mrs. Matlock’s Alphabe Thursday.