Beating the Winter Blahs

WINTER

I really do enjoy this season. 

 I love that we don't have to sweat. I love that we don't have to worry about sunscreen. I love that we don't have to worry about bugs. I love to sit and enjoy a nice cozy fire. I love snow days or spontaneous days off of school that allow daddy to be home all day with no where to go. I love just the beauty that comes along with this season. I can't imagine living anywhere else, actually! Some people HATE winter....we DO NOT! My husband and I really do enjoy winter. 

However, 

I have to admit, I'm growing weary of it all this year! 

About a month ago, I was speaking with a friend about how I just feel really BLAH this year. I feel like I could be a bit depressed. Which really isn't like me. 

Our family has had 2 bouts of the stomach flu this season...which is very rare for us. Besides those strong bouts with that, we have remained healthy. So I can't say that sicknesses have been the issue.  I think it is just that time in the season, where we are ready to open the windows, get some fresh air and take in some 

Vitamin D! 

 I am ready to see green grass...leaves..and flowers!

Since, those things are not going to be here for a while,

I've tried to find ways to beat these WINTER BLAHS! 

Here are a few activities we've found that have given us something to look forward to and talk about! 

Kids Fest

An event that raised money for Children and Families of Iowa. This was a great event! There were so many things to do and see within the facility.

We even got to meet Bob and Larry! This was a highlight for Cael! He even thanked God at supper that night for seeing them!

 

We couldn't believe that he stood there and held their hands! He was excited!

He could have played with this all afternoon!

Shoot the Hoop!

Free Popsicles!

LIBRARY

We go to the library about once a week. Cael LOVES the library. In our town, we have a brand new facility and it is great. For about a year now, we've been going to a (free)Toddler Time on Tuesdays. During this time, we sing songs, read books, and play with toys. I look forward to this each week, also, because I get to interact with other moms and build relationships. So I'm not sure who looks forward to it more...HIM or ME?!  

Being silly with the Play Doh!

TOT TOWN
In our town, there is a coliseum that gets used for all sorts of things. Three days a week from November until April there they have this gym open and provide free access to toys for children birth-5 years old. There are kitchens, balls, trikes, scooters, blocks, slides, tunnels, and a few other items.
If you ask our son, he will tell you how much he looks forward to this place!
I like it too, because it usually means that nap time is just a little bit longer on these days!

 MUGGS
Mothers Under God's Grace & Strength is the name of this mom/play group I've been attending. We meet two Wednesdays a month. The children go to a nursery room and play while the moms have a bible study. I've really enjoyed meeting and connecting with other moms during this time. This has helped me stay a bit sane this winter because it gives us something to look forward to. Cael has really shown some great gains with his separation anxiety. He had quite a bit of trouble in the beginning because it was all so new to him, but he is doing better every time we go!

OUR FARM
We know that Spring is coming...because my parents' cattle are starting to have their calves! This year the calves are being born way too early. It is too cold for them to be born right now. They have lost nearly 6 calves so far because of the colder weather. This is such a sad situation for my parents and their livestock.  My mom is working so hard to keep as many alive as she can. Here is one that the mother has neglected so my mom has to bottle feed her twice a day. One day we got to go over and watch her feed the baby! Cael wasn't so sure about being that close to the calf.
Isn't that baby calf so cute!  


Have I mentioned we LOVE....FREE...activities?

Working with daddy, Mallory and Mason making trucks...and memories! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend we went to Lowe's in Ames. A couple of weeks ago we signed up to be a part of their Build and Grow workshops. This is an opportunity for parents to bring their kids and build a project. This just happened to be "Build a Monster Truck" and Cael loves Monster Trucks! I'm not sure why, but he does! So we took advantage of this FREE workshop!! And I am so glad we did because he had a BALL!
 

Spring is COMING....SOON!