'Tis The Season Of Sunburns And Blisters

Today was the perfect weather to play outside...if you aren't allergic to sun. According to Environment Canada, the UV index was 8, or high. Not good. But the kidlets needed to get outside, so outside we went.

Knowing that we would be heading out of doors as soon as Carlos got home from work, I set about "putting on my face". Have you ever tried to draw your eyebrows on whilst a two-year old hyper little boy plays on your lap? Probably not. To say it's difficult is putting it lightly. Picture trying to draw a smooth curve with a brow pencil as a toddler is trying to snatch it from your grasp. Trying to use a mirror that is constantly being repositioned. Trying to draw a line with a freshly-sharpened eyeliner along your non-existent lash line as your arm is repeatedly "nudged". It can be dangerous at times. There are days when I look like I have a permanent scowl due to the shape and angle of my eyebrows....and my little boy.

Anyway...on to the outdoor adventures. After the boys had greeted daddy when he got home, we got them dressed for the climate change (going from air conditioned bliss to a humid 31C/88F). Then we headed outside.

Logan was strapped into the swing that hangs from the tree in our front yard while Zander played with his car. It was great fun for all. We were outside for about 30 minutes before we had to retreat to the house for dinner. That's all it took....30 minutes.

Even though I was in the shade provided by the canopy of our large Norway Maple, I received my first sunburn of the season. Not a bad blistery raw-meat lookin' one....but enough of a burn that I feel like I've been using a belt sander on my face. Stupid sun allergy! Seriously....what kind of sadistic bastard invents an allergy to something as vital to life as the sun? (yes, I know people don't "invent" medical conditions...but I'm bitter!) It's not even officially summer yet, but I still can't spend 30 minutes playing with my boys in the shade of a mature tree. How fair is that? I'll tell you...it's NOT!

Breathe, Cate.....breathe........

My silver lining is....if all goes as planned, our future home will have a backyard graced with UV-blocking shade from the house, and the houses on either side of us. I will be able to have summer fun with my children, without painfully paying for it later. And that is worth the wait.

So I will have to remember that trees do not provide the safe haven from UV rays that someone who suffers from PMLE like me requires. From now on, I'll stick to watching my sons play with their daddy from the safety of my front step!

Thank you for sitting through my sad little pity party....I'm feel much better now.

To make up for this whine-fest, please enjoy these pictures of two amazingly cute boys.

Look what all the snot-wiping from this stupid cold
has done to my poor little boy's face!

"I don't need no stinking hat!"

"Good...my hat is 100% cotton!"

Zander getting in his car
(please ignore the honkin' bald patch on the lawn...it will get fixed soon!)

"Beep! Beep! Get out of the way, mom!"

My lumpy-bumpy driveway, my bald lawn, the boys' desperately-in-need-of-cleaning
frog shaped sandbox...and my beautiful little family.