A little winter adventure, right outside our door.

I love a secondhand find, especially when it gives us a chance to try something together without spending a fortune before we even know whether we’ll enjoy it. We had snow, we had the gear, and we didn’t have to pack the car. A pretty good start!

With James, planning an activity also means thinking about how to make it understandable and give him ways to tell us what he needs. Picture cards—including familiar cards for families who use PECS—can be part of that preparation: snowshoes, coat, mittens, outside, then home. Something concrete to look at while we talk about what’s coming next.

And communication matters throughout the adventure. “Help,” “break,” “finished,” and “more” deserve just as much room as the plan itself. I want us to make space for what James has to say, however he communicates it.

Being right outside our home gives us a little breathing room, too. We can take our time getting used to something new, keep the outing short, or head back inside. There’s no admission fee to justify and no long drive home if it turns out to be a five-minute kind of adventure.

As a parent and caregiver, I appreciate that. I want James to have opportunities to try things, and I want those opportunities to fit him. Sometimes that takes preparation, visual supports, and the flexibility to let the day unfold differently than I imagined.

I love our bigger outings, but I want to remember these days just as clearly: a Facebook Marketplace find, the generosity of a local free group, and time outside with my boy.

There is a lot of life to enjoy just beyond the front door. ❤️❄️