I moved to Idaho with my family when I was 8 and since then have experienced my fair share of snow covered winters! I do have to say, this year is different than any other…my kids are finally old enough (kind of) to enjoy the snow…for a maximum of 10 minutes! When they aren’t forced against their will to stay inside because of a runny nose or cough of some sort, they love to be outside, even in the freezing cold! Jeff and I have tried to embrace the winter months by taking the kids on little adventures on the weekends! Since we live just a hop and a skip away from beautiful country fields and pine tree covered mountains, we get to take them to beautifully secluded locations. This is the perfect time for us to just take a deep breathe in with that crisp fresh air and enjoy each other…until someone falls in the snow or trips over their 5sizestoobig snow pants. It takes a good 25 minutes to get all the layers and buckles and snaps and belts and zippers done up to go on this little 15 minute adventure but man it’s worth it! It doesn’t get much better than watching your one year old crazy little boy dive head first time and time again into the fresh powder just to be able to devour some snow! The snow months are definitely more difficult now that my kids are in that in-between stage of ‘I am too young’ and ‘I am going to play in the snow all day’, but I have learned to make that in-between stage OUR stage!! A stage when we can enjoy more active activities with EVERYONE! It’s a great way for Jeff and I to bond with our kids and play in the fresh air together! I’ve seen my little girl gaze in amazement as her best friends (mom and dad) trample through the snow or make a snowman! We can teach them lessons and enjoy different things than we could if we only had warm weather! No, snow isn’t the most IDEAL way to enjoy each other outdoors but come on…who enjoys ideal anyway! I’ve found that the best memories are made in the most imperfect situations!
It’s still down pouring snow over here in good old Idaho…ANNNNDD it will continue to pour upon us until late April! …which means we have plenty of opportunities ahead to make many perfect memories with some imperfect circumstances! Don’t waste your winter inside! Bundle up your kids and make memories with them in the cold! …even if it ends in two cold and soggy children who won’t stop crying (been there!) It’s still worth it because then you get to cuddle them with hot cocoa and maybe your little girl will turn to you and say, ‘mom, this was the best day ever, you’re my best friend!’
Yep, I’d say that’s worth it alright!
