This was the view from my kitchen window on New Years Day. Hello 2010! It looks beautiful, doesn’t it? I admit, it is a pretty scene to look at but not to be a part of. Our backyard backs onto an open field so all winter I hear snowmobiles buzzing out there. If I was an outdoorsy (word? it is today) girl I’m sure winter would be much more tolerable – I could snowmobile, ski, ice skate, and more.
The fact is, however, that I’m just not that girl. I stay indoors as much as possible during the (5?) months of winter we have here which is a benefit when it’s -40 Celsius like it was this past week. When other people are complaining about their car not starting (after the block heater in the car was plugged in all night too), or going to work and coming home from work in darkness, I stay warm and cozy indoors. In fact, in the winter months it’s not uncommon for me to go 5-6 days without ever setting foot outside my front door. If I didn’t have Internet and satellite tv (and my precious PVR) I’m sure I’d be loopy by now but it really, truthfully, isn’t that bad.
Yesterday, there was a break in the cold snap (only -20 instead of -40, lol) so we took the kids out to run some errands and have lunch. My 2 year old literally squealed with joy hopping down the sidewalk (as best a toddler can hop with a heavy winter coat and clunky winter boots), taking in the (frosty) fresh air.
I realized, then, that although I am a happy hibernating momma bear, my kids need to get out and experience winter (well, when safe to do so….-40 isn’t safe in my opinion). My 5 year old goes to kindergarten every second day but my 2 year old is my sidekick and indoors as much as I am. So here it is: this winter I’m going to make more of an effort to be outside. There, I said it. I won’t ice skate, but I may build a snowman or 10, slide down a hill screaming all the way, or…well….I’ll figure it out. There, I said it. To prove it, I’ll take a pic. Hold me accountable, friends!
Add Comment