Winter Tradition

Technically spring started a few days ago but no one told the Northeast. In our attempt to both reduce our heating bill and our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, we keep our heat really low. Especially at night. The result is that we wake up in the morning and it is very cold. The kids come downstairs for breakfast and shiver away as we offer them sweaters and hats while we wait for the heat to catch up. This was particularly unpleasant before daylight savings time started and the mornings were dark.

Pretty quickly, our solution was to crank up the pellet stove and have a breakfast picnic directly in front of it. It has turned into a nice little tradition. Cozy, quaint, and easier than having me remember to turn up the heat well before everyone else comes downstairs. I imagine this tradition will continue and I think it will be one of those things that stand out for my kids when they think back to their child. At least I hope so.

Winter Tradition

Technically spring started a few days ago but no one told the Northeast. In our attempt to both reduce our heating bill and our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, we keep our heat really low. Especially at night. The result is that we wake up in the morning and it is very cold. The kids come downstairs for breakfast and shiver away as we offer them sweaters and hats while we wait for the heat to catch up. This was particularly unpleasant before daylight savings time started and the mornings where dark.

Pretty quickly, our solution was to crank up the pellet stove and have a breakfast picnic directly in front of it. It has turned into a nice little tradition. Cozy, quaint, and easier than having me remember to turn up the heat well before everyone else comes downstairs. I imagine this tradition will continue and I think it will be one of those things that stand out for my kids when they think back to their child. At least I hope so.

Fleeting First Snow Fun

Last Friday it snowed for the first time.today it's snowing again! But last week it was fresh and new. The kids had just eaten lunch and were having a little downtime watching a show. I was at my computer typing up a blog. I glanced out the window and saw the skies were dark and there were light snow flurries.

Kids!" I announced, "it's snowing! Let's "go outside before it stops. We can finish the show later."

The kids looked out the window and squealed with glee. Then we all jumped into action to get on our boots, jackets, mittens, and hats to go out into the flurries.

They ran around the yard excitedly, mouths agape to catch the flakes on their tongues.

They turned their boots into snowplows to collect what ever was sticking to the ground. Then they reached down and ate it. Lil Sis sampled the flakes that landed on her swing. Big Bro followed suit.

We admired the flakes as they landed on Pepper and played for as long as the snow fell. 

Then the sun came out and the snow stopped. We went inside for hot cocoa at Big Bro's request, and made a bowl of popcorn to eat while we finished the show. 

When the show was done we looked out the window and all the snow had already melted. There was no trace of the magic that had just happened. But we knew and it was such a great start to winter.

Cruel Joke or Glimmer of Spring?

In Vermont the spring forecasts (aka March and April) put us on a roller coaster of emotion and longing. About one year ago (March 13, 2013 to be exact), my Facebook friends were complaining about the snow showers falling from the sky. My son and I went outside and found crocuses popping up from the ground. "Despite the snow flurries spring is on its way!" I posted in response to their seasonal sadness. 

This year everyone was howling about snowstorm "Vulcan" and the feet of snow that it dropped on our region last week--the same week as last year's crocus photo sadly. Spring will definitely be later this year. Not only is there tons of snow, but the daily temperatures are significantly colder then we normally expect for this time of year. This morning as my husband went outside to feed the chickens it was 2° below zero, Fahrenheit! He also saw that yesterday was the coldest St. Patrick's Day since 1885.

The first day of spring is Thursday, March 20th. Tomorrow!? I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

Towards the end of this long and trying winter, I take heart in those days where we do get some (relative) warmth. This past Saturday it was 42° and we actually got to go outside and play without worrying about windchill factor and temperatures too cold for little ones.

We threw snowballs, made a snowman, snow angels, went sledding, and climbing on the giant snowhill at the end of our driveway. We were outside for a good half hour at least.

The sap was running again finally, and the snow was getting wet and slushy. We could've stayed out even longer except that our clothes were getting soaked.

The forecast for this week certainly started out rough, but it is starting to look a little better-- more like what it should be. Maybe the first day of spring tomorrow won't be so painful or depressing after all. Maybe, just maybe, spring really is on its way. I won't hold my breath until I see that first crocus though.

Cabin Fever Creativity

For weeks it's been cold and icy thanks to an ice storm, more freezing rain, and the "Polar Vortex" or "Arctic Bomb." Even with the recent thaw we have been enjoying it's still icy out, and soggy, so we have gotten creative with entertainment options for my kiddos. Here are some of my favorite activities to beat back the winter blues.

1. Dragons in the Forest
This was an activity that evolved after my son was getting rambunctious with his story books. I swapped out the paperback ones he was abusing for the board books. Set the books up like tents, tell the kids they are dragons in a forest knocking down the trees, and voila!


2. The Obstacle Course
This was my husband's idea. So simple and totally awesome. The kids did such a good job with it. They are running around the rain barrel I got for Christmas in case you were wondering.



3. Composing Original Songs (or at least original lyrics)
My son got a ukelele for Christmas. He has become quite the little song writer. His biggest influences are Sesame Street songs performed by celebrities.

What do you do to pass the time with your kids when the weather outside is inhospitable?