Box O' Fun

 I made a "box o' fun" for days when we don't get to escape the house because of weather/sickness. It has about 50 indoor activities (ideas I came up with as well as on pinterest) and the kids pick one or two to do. I made it so the kids would spend less time watching TV and more time doing pretend play with each other and with mommy. This week the kids enjoyed making fruit loop necklaces. . .

 and taking a pretend airplane trip. Logan suggested flying to the beach, which I thought was a great idea! We packed our bags, got our tickets, boarded the plane and took off!

 We made it to the beach where he enjoyed laying out on our beach towels and eating a snack.

This kid has an amazing imagination and is so fun to play with. He got this cool toy and makes all different kinds of things with it. Usually its some sort of plane or rocket.

 

Indoor Fun

 Just as suspected, January has been full of cold weather, bad air, and the sniffles. That equals a lot of time spent inside. Not to mention a baby brother that is still too little to take many places. I decided at the end of December to make an "activity calendar" for Logan and Norah. Our schedule is as follows:

Monday - Playdoh

Tuesday - Craft

Wednesday - Color/Sticker Books

Thursday - Science

Friday - Puzzles and Games

These activities are mainly done around late afternoon. I call it the "bewitching hour" because, frankly, the kids get stir crazy by this time of day and mommy is about to lose it too. Please tell me I'm not the only one out there to experience this. 

Anyway, below are a few pictures documenting some things we've done (when I've remembered to pull out the camera).

 We experimented with ice and snow and figured out how cold it is, ways to make it melt, and how to form it into shapes. The kids had to figure out ways to get the "treasure" out of the ice.

Pouring hot water seemed to do the trick.

Making snow castles

 We made snowmen and learned about shapes.

 And made frog puppets out of foam and pipe cleaners.

So far its been a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing more.  

Frosty the Snowman

 Logan and Norah both love the snow, but we haven't had any good "packing" snow to make snowmen this year. Well last night we got a good amount and we thought we'd go and try to make one. The snow proved to be powdery, but with a little creativity (and some water) we made Frosty!

 Norah loved him because it was just her size.

 Logan tried to help best he could (we made him out of a pile of snow instead of rolling him). He loved putting the hat, scarf, and face on.

We enjoyed being outside for about an hour and then decided it was time to head into the warm house. Playing in the snow always means hot chocolate is soon to follow.

First Snow

 I think these 2 have been feeling a little cooped up since their baby brother has been born. We had a good snow fall a few days ago and these two loved exploring our back yard. 

I could not find any snow pants for Norah so she ended up with 3 pairs of pants on - her leggings, sweatpants, and her brother's basketball warmups. Haha.

The snow was a little powdery to make a snowman, but they enjoyed tromping around and making snow angels.

Winter!

 I can't believe this winter season! Maybe I've gotten spoiled with mild winters the past few years, because January seemed like the coldest, longest, snowiest month I've ever seen!

I remember taking this picture the morning after we got dumped on by nearly 2 feet of snow. (Jan 10th)

 You can see how deep the snow is. Benj didn't go in for work until the afternoon. Partly because he couldn't get out of the driveway in our little Honda. The plows seem to come last on our little street.

There was a wall of snow when I opened the side door to our backyard.

 Logan and I went out to look around and he couldn't walk in it since it was up to his waist. I made a path for him to the slide where we made snow angels and rolled around in it. Logan didn't like it when I threw him in - I just couldn't resist. Mean mom? I made up for it with hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.

One thing is for sure - it was beautiful! There's something so calming about being outside and not hearing anything but the crunch of your own boots. Its especially beautiful when the sun comes out and the inversion is gone, which has happened more lately (thank goodness).

First Snow!

 We really got a scant amount a week or two ago, but this morning truly marked the first REAL snow of winter 2012!

 Its officially winter when you get to make a snowman with Dad.

PS - Beware of coming outside with newly dyed hair and a camera in your hands. You are apparently the prime target for a snowball . . . right in the face. Gotta give him grief for a little bit longer.

Frosty

Logan made his first snowman last week.

Well, I rolled the snowman and Logan helped put on his "stuff". He got the snowman gear for Christmas.

It was an afternoon well spent and Logan had a ball. He knew exactly where everything went since we've drawn 100+ snowmen in our house (no joke).

It was about time we got outside and enjoyed the sunshine.

Snow Day in Midway

Logan hasn't had a REAL snow day all winter. Its been odd weather in Utah and the kiddo has been sick. We finally got to spend the day playing in the snow. We went to Midway for a little family vacation.

Can I just say that Logan LOVED being outside. He loved walking in the snow, sledding in the snow, and eating the snow.

Benj loved it too. :)


Logan would squeal every time he went down the hill in the tube. He thought it was the greatest thing in the world.

Who Says

First of all, I'm sorry I'm not doing too well at posting lately. Logan and I have colds and would rather snuggle and read books instead.

I'm getting sick (no pun intended) of people saying how January is the worst month of the year. Come on guys, its not THAT bad. In fact, there are quite a few good things about it. I am partial to January for a few reasons, not just because its my birthday month. Here are my Top 10 Reasons Why I Love January:

1 - Winter Activities

You can't tell me you don't enjoy playing in the snow. If you don't, you shouldn't be living in Utah! You can go sledding, build a snowman, snowmobile, ski, snowboard, ice skate, etc. When was the last time you had a snowball fight? If you want to feel like a kid again, go outside and make a snow angel.

This is me in Oakley, UT about 2 years ago.

2 - Beauty

Along with all the activities listed above, you get to be in nature. Utah is SO pretty in the winter.

3 - Warm, comfy clothes

I would like to thank my mother-in-law Marcy for introducing to the fabulous world of fuzzy socks. How did I not know about these before? Its like wearing a soft blanket on your feet. I recommend them to everyone. Also recommended are leopard print fleece pants.

4 - The New Year

What better time to make new goals as well as celebrate everything that happened throughout the year before.

5 - New episodes of my favorite shows!

6 - Hello sunsets

The inversion in good for something - it makes the sky absolutely gorgeous. Photo taken on I-15.

7 - Hot chocolate

Especially the peppermint cocoa with homemade marshmellows. Thanks Jen!

8 - Diving into a good book
This is where a combo of my favorite things come together: a good book, hot chocolate, fuzzy socks, and a sleeping baby.

9 - Birthdays!

I don't mind being in the spotlight once in a while.

10 - Birthday Goodies

I don't mind getting spoiled either. :)

So I know you can experience some of these things throughout the winter, so maybe this post should be 10 top reasons to love winter. The next time you start hating on winter (January especially), remember how many good things come out of it too. Especially my birthday, haha.

Have a great winter day!