It's Winter, Get Over It!

A few days after the New Year, my mom commented to me, “Well I’m ready for spring!” It’s a long, cold haul until the first crocuses bloom, I thought, better get over it. For many immersed in the snow and freeze, winter brings gloom. For others, a plethora of outdoor adventures. My goal these days is to get my kids excited about being outdoors when they may feel like hanging more with the TV than with Frosty. Making the outdoors fun when it’s cold and nasty can be a challenge. But with the right combination of fresh snow, hot chocolate and fun activities, it doesn’t take much for kids to have a great time. While visiting friends the other night, the temperature dipping well into the single digits, the kids couldn’t resist playing in the snow cave build on the front lawn. Even in the dark, they got out the head lamps, slid into the icy depths and probably would have stayed for a while if the parents hadn’t insisted they come inside. How quickly they forget the cold when snowy fun takes over. So to avoid the attitude expressed by my mom who fights winter, I’m hoping to instill a love of the season in my kids so they grow up enjoying and taking advantage of all that winter has to offer.