Feb 22: I love

The end of February feels like the heart of the winter season here in Virginia.  We have passed many days within the four walls of our home.  We have tried many arts and crafts activity, read many book, and played many games.  We're itching to get out and enjoy the feeling of warm air on our skin.  There are no more holidays to tide us over and distract us.  I can honestly say I've forgotten what summer feels like.  What is it like to be outside and feel too hot?  I don't know.

So here we are and it is cold and windy and sometimes ice falls from the sky (please don't point out what a wimp I am, people who live in actually cold climates).

This week's distractions come in the form of one of Ben's favorite dinners, Valentine's decorations which we will leave up at least until Lily's birthday, and daffodils.   When I close my eyes I think I can see spring.  

February Gratitudes

It has been one of those days that leaves me feeling grateful.  For a thick blanket of snow, a morning spent at the sledding hill up the street, and a big lunch of pancakes, bacon, and blueberry syrup when we got home.  For health (after a week of sickness), medicine, a friend visiting who is like family (framily?), and real honest to goodness family around us who we can drop in on like it's no big deal.  For a night playing telephone pictionary, drinking mulled wine, and watching my new favorite cooking inspiration (I am obsessed!).  For a boy who lives in his imagination, a girl who carves out her pockets of quiet in a bustling household, another girl who finds joy in every little thing, and those two little babies who like to talk to me in sign language about nursing while they are nursing and also sometimes bite each other (I'm looking at you, Dorothy).  For a partner who is best friend and confidante.  All of these things almost make me forget it is cold and is about to get even colder.  Yikes, February, you are sort of brutal, but I guess I like you anyway.

That Winter Feeling

We are, I dare say, in the heart of winter here. The light has that cold and sharp quality, and the air smells like snow, which is probably true, because this year it seems to snow every couple of days.  We always try to make a big deal out of Valentine's Day, (because, what else is there to do in February?) but have sort of dropped the ball this year.  Which means that all of our festivities are saved for this week, and I am totally letting the kids set our celebratory priorities.

Homeschooling time this morning was spent making a lot of confetti with scissors while listening to Greek myths on cd.  I'm guessing that means the rest of our week will be spent cleaning up confetti while listening to Greek myths?  At least we can hear the story of Tantalus and Pelops and talk about the Olympics, right?

We have been going for a walk every single day, so long as the thermometer reads above freezing.  My parents assured me that in Poland, babies are taken out in the fresh air no matter what the outside temperature, so long as they are properly bundled (and I think all though Europe, this is believed to enhance babies' sleep).  So Dorothy and Clara come along, usually pressed up against me under Ben's big down vest.  And even the big kids are pretty happy to run off some energy, even if their noses are red when we get home.

There is snow in the forecast for Wednesday, and I am actually excited for the first time this winter.  No longer pregnant with twins, no longer the mother of newborns too tiny to come out into cold air.  We are spending the day bringing up fire wood (and ordering a generator!).  Valentine's Day in the snow actually sounds pretty nice.

February 12: I love

having a reason to get a little festive on the coldest weekend of the year. With our balmy winter, I had forgotten what real winter feels like, but oh my oh my, it feels cold, especially on bare legs when you're going out on a date with your husband. I suppose tights are merited in the middle of winter. Settling in for an afternoon of valentine making is much more weather-appropriate, and after gathering a bit of Valentine's day inspiration, we gathered our supplies and got to work! If you're still looking for some cute printable valentines, check these out! We found some mini magnifying glasses at the local party store (six to a pack as party favors! Quite the deal), and couldn't resist our little nose glasses. You know, we have a special fondness for glasses given that they're sort of our Ben's trademark in the family. Who doesn't love glasses?

(photo of Hugo at a playground last week unrelated, but doesn't he look proud of standing up all by himself? This boy has raced into the realm of mobility at breakneck speed).

We're playing along with I love again this year... head on over to check it out and join in.

February 26: I love

finding a place where we can burn off some of our pent up winter energy. Our local community center hosts an "open gym" every Friday, and it is amazing: trikes, balls, all our friends from the neighborhood, and lots of kids. A bit crazy, but pure physical fun.
And I caved and joined a gym, too. I'm not crazy about it (who would run inside when you can run in fresh cold air), but I have been loving having half an hour to run off some energy inside while the kids are well taken care of (while our snowy sidewalks are thawing), and am very excited about the yoga class.

How have you been burning your pent up energy?

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