Then promptly this first run of sunny weather is displaced by 3 weeks of solid rain. Youngsters that were just getting used to constant outside play are now turned back into shut-ins, only now they're so full of energy a parent might be forgiven for considering dispensing small doses of valium with breakfast. (By the way, that's how those "Slow children playing" signs came into existence.)

There's two possible solutions to the spring-time rainy day blahs:


1. I gnore the rain, go out, get soaked and have a nice, hot bath when you get back, or

2. Find some dandy indoor activities.

Option one is generally popular with toddlers. Sometime around age 10 the novelty of stomping around in puddles wears off and then true rainy day boredom sets in. I n the meantime, enjoy:

• The basic, stomping in puddles.
• Making mud-pies.
• Dropping things to watch the splash.
• Making paper or reed boats to sail down gutters and streams.
• Damming little streams.

Personally, my favourite is the damming of little streams. Maybe it's a guy thing, but I can waste an entire afternoon moving rocks, sticks and sand in a vain effort to stem the flow of a creek or ditch. I t's educational, too, especially when the city workers show up to give you grief for messing up the drainage system.

So, if you can avoid spending your rainy spring days inside, great. I f you absolutely have to stay in, stock up on crafts, good books and music.

Until May, have fun!