Rain in January...

Who knew it would/could rain in January...in Minnesota.   For the first time in 4 years it warmed up in January.  It's very suspicious weather really, but I'll take it.  To celebrate, we went to the St Paul Winter Festival.  First stop, the parade.  All was well until it started to rain. That's right, it rained.  So after 46 min of fun, I bribed the kids with ice cream and we left.  The kids still had fun, but it sure got cold when it started to rain. Mr weather man was off by 8 hours on his rain prediction.  Oh well, we had fun.   (Maddie was thrilled she got to bring a friend) 

Loving it up

We took the kids out for a fun adventure and they loved it.  Skiing!  Maddie did great and didn't miss a beat for her first time out this year.  Luke rocked it with no fear and his first time on skis.  It was a blast for all of us.  Amy had her own personal babysitter and napped the entire time, priceless. 

The big kids also explored ice skating.  I was shocked at the fun they had. Granted, it was a great day for our adventure with temps in the low 30s.  It was the first time we had the experience to make fresh tracks in the ice.  What fun!

It was an adventure we hope to do again soon 

Funk

Sometimes you find yourself in a funk for no apparent reason. I would love to blame it on the MN winters, buts it's been mild this far.  One of the top 3 most mild!   But anyway, the reality of life is balance is hard when you throw 3 kids into two working outside the home married parents.  There is no time.  You think there is but things slip.  You try to do the best job maintaining your sanity, but trust me, even that seems to fly out the window 

As a kid, I used to think the fun started when we went to bed. I was sure my parents stayed up late, kicked their feet up, watched tv, etc.   the reality is this, kids go to bed and parents play catch up to all the things that need attending to; laundry, house cleaning, meal prep for lunches, etc.  

Dates?   The only dates we see are of schedule changes, school delayed starts, daycare updates and work calendars.   Someday, there will be 1:1 adult time.  

R&R is a reality.....maybe when you retire.  Until then, we shall work to keep our chin above water.  

That is my January 5 reflection point. 

Christmas

Christmas was different this year. We have a really simple logic to gift giving. The everyone exchanges a gift with each other.  So, each person receives 4 gifts total.   Santa puts a few things in the stocking and then leaves 1 unwrapped item.  Simplicity is the theme.  

This year Jeremy and I put a ton of thought an effort into making something that could last a long time and provide hours of entertainment.  A climbing wall in the basement.  We did it all...from starting with 4x8 sheets of wood to paint to installing grips and hooking it to the wall.  

Let me just say the kids have had more fun than I could have hoped for.  I was like a kid waiting to give it to them.  They love it!!!