I don’t know about everyone else, but I am EXCITED for the snow this year; I would like ten feet!! Most of my adult life I’ve enjoyed the winter, even more so when the roads are either completely clear or completed covered in snow (because we all agree ice sucks). Once the sun drops below the skyline for a couple of months, then I can’t stand the cold, dreary, brown weather…until we get some snow! Not only does it become more cheery, but it’s also so beautiful (especially from insane a cozy house!). Working from home this fall greatly changes my perspective on weather events as well, especially now that I have a window and can enjoy the flurries and daylight during my workday. In addition, having kids increases a love of snow- it is a heck of a lot more fun to play in it then on the cold, dormant grass. Wouldn’t you agree?
We saw our first few inches in the last day or so, with a great fall while we went out and adventured with some sledding. Other than dragging everyone all over the neighborhood last year, when they were a LOT lighter might I add, we didn’t do a lot of real sledding with the girls. This year will be different and we are starting off right. We sold the small, single seat sleds and traded that in for a massive three (three plus an adult) seater.
All three girls stayed in their own room all night, which hasn’t happened since the first week of daycare in August, but were bright eyed and bushy tailed by about 7 AM, not wanting to sleep in any longer. The general rule of thumb in this house is if everyone sleeps in their cribs all night then the day may be crash and burn grumpy. You’d think it would be the opposite right, that good sleep would make for a nice, happy toddler day? Yeah, um, never.
With that in mind, we ate a big pancake breakfast and headed outside to meet up with a couple daycare buddies and test out one of the playground hills by our house. Everyone was a little timid at first, covered head to toe in boots, snow pants, coats, gloves and hats, but in no time they were all excited to go fast! down the hill and come back up and do it again! After a few minutes they would even opt to go by themselves on their friends’ single seat ones, since they are a bit slower and stop at the bottom, without running all the way to the trees. Craig was able to convince them to pull their sleds up after a few runs, with some hand holding and coaxing, until the slippery top where they needed help. Now we just need them to participate for a couple hours every weekend and nap out like a light!
I’m trying to decide which kiddo favored the activity the most and it’s a toss up. By the end, Emerie and Harper were both soloing down the hill as well as insisting one of the adults speed down in the faster sleds. Harper also liked to sprint down the hill without a sled and walk back up, great way to create a sleepy toddler. Emerie preferred going with someone and giggled and shrieked the whole way down with a big smile. Reagan wouldn’t go alone but liked sitting in the big sled with Craig. She was also the first one to follow Sage off to the playground, heading to the slide excitedly. Everyone also insisted on taking a hundred turns on the zip line; luckily two toddlers, even in full snow gear, still fit on it together.
The girls (and dad) are currently snoozing away as I write this and drink a hot chai tea while enjoying the beautiful white outside! I am not ashamed to admit we put the Christmas tree up yesterday and pulled out all the lights, the earliest I’ve ever done it…because why not? What other year are we both working at home during the holiday and practically confined to our houses due to rises COVID cases, meaning we are actually here to enjoy it!
The girls did not assist in any way and were grumps for most of the assembly (or should I say most of the DAY). I can say that they thoroughly enjoyed the big tree bag and spent the entire hour climbing in, zipping it up, zipping each other up in it, dragging blankets and dolls and toys into it, fighting over it and pretending to take a nap. I might just break that bag out again on Christmas and let them at it…who needs toys anyway?!
Yesterday was a day to get through and not a great way to start off the weekend or our unplanned five day stint without daycare (daycare is closed to get a new boiler); so far today is going MUCH better, thank goodness!
❤
The Douglets 