Up here in the Northwoods, winter is in full swing. We’ve had snow on the ground since Thanksgiving, and it doesn’t look like we will be losing it any time soon. I finally picked up a sled for Little Man from WalMart last week, and I took him on a long walk with it. He had so much fun, sitting back, looking at all of the snow and the trees, leaning over, dragging his mitten along the street to pick up the snow (it’s a dirt road with 3 houses; no one ever comes down our street), and just enjoying being outside. I make it a point to get him out for a few minutes every other day, if not every day. It’s good for everyone to be outside. I find it relaxing and calming, and it is the best way I have found to get in a better mood. If you have heard of grounding, I am all for it and completely believe in it.

A lot of people do not like cold, snow, winter in general; and I happen to live with three of them. I find it unfortunate, because I happen to LOVE the snow. I just find something magical in watching it fall; whether it be the first snow of the season or the thousandth, I will never stop watching it coming down. I am always amazed by people who have decided to live in a cold climate that hate and despise cold weather, snow, and lack of sunshine. I mean, you’re aware that is what the seasons bring, why choose to settle down there? I will gladly take this cold, or even live in Alaska, than live down south, where it is always hot and hotter, where you cannot take away layers because you are too hot, etc. I love a good sweater, or bundling up under a heavy blanket with a giant mug of hot cocoa or tea and reading a book, or just sitting and watching the snow fall.

Now, it is not fun when you are snowed in, but when you are aware of the weather in your area, you can be prepared to be stuck in the house for a day or more. Before our last storm, when we were expecting a few days straight of snow, I took an hour and a half and left Little Man with Squatch, Granma, and Granpa, and ran into town. I picked up some snacks and treats for Little Man, a few things to eat for myself that I had a taste for, and a GIANT blue ball. I wanted to be sure that I had enough for Little Man to eat, and the blue ball was something new to keep him entertained. With us being stuck inside due to the storms, I have really been sure to take turns spending a day upstairs and then a day downstairs, so he get different books to read and toys to play with. I’ve also taken some more toys away, and hidden in the closet, so every other week I will rotate the bigger ones out as well as the smaller ones; this way it seems like there are fun new toys, without actually going out and spending money on them.

For myself, I have really cut back on the time I sit in front of the television with Granma. If I am sitting on the couch, I’m reading to Little Man, or else I’m on the floor, playing with the puzzle or the trucks he’s pulled out of the box at that moment. I have also been spending more time in the kitchen helping Granma cook dinner, or clean up after we eat and Granpa takes Little Man to play with the trucks. I am still writing in my gratitude journal each day during naptime, and am reading a daily devotion as well. It is my “me-time,” and gives me a chance to just get away from it all and step back.

We’ve gone to the library a lot, and yesterday, our local family restaurant held a fundraiser, donating 100% of their proceeds from the days’ sales to the local police, fire, and sheriff. Little Man and I supported them, going on a little lunch date! It was great to be just the two of us, without Granma or Granpa with us. Squatch went into work early to pick up some overtime, or else we would have had a family date, but we will go out to breakfast either this upcoming weekend or the next.

Yes, we get a lot of snow. No, I’m not surprised. Yes, it does suck when we get three or four days in a row of snow. But it does not mean that I have to be negative or unprepared for it. By having ways to take my mind off of it all, to escape to a different room or the library, being able to get outside with Little Man, it keeps me (and him) sane and in better moods. Planning ahead and having back-up plans for when your main plan doesn’t work help get through these winter blues.