Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Good of Winter


Winter has typically ranked last among seasons for me.  Cold, sick, dark, sick, gray, sick, etc.  But this year I've focused on a few things that I actually really enjoy about this season.  I don't know if I'm ready to change it's rank status or anything, but I'm just glad I live in an area where we have a good chunk of time in each of the four season.  Enough time to appreciate the good and the bad and to be ready to move on to the next season. 

So...  The Good of Winter:

Being inside together in the evenings.  When summer rolls around and it's light until late, the kids are often outside until the very last minute.  I've been enjoying the time we're all together, usually in the Family Room.  We've been enjoying our fireplace more than usual.  Lately we've been doing a lot of reading.  Right now we’re reading “The Wizard of Oz” to the kids and we’re all enjoying it (except perhaps Ashley and Dallin).  (If you have any other suggestions of "family books" let me know.  We've also recently enjoyed "Frindle" and "How to Eat Fried Worms")

I also love that when I sweep there aren't tiny baby spiders that crawl out from under the cupboards.  And I love that I don't have to put on bug spray before walking outside for fear of mosquitos or chiggers.

I love crawling in bed after an exhausting day.  Actually I love this year round, but in winter I love being slightly chilly but feeling the weight of heavy blankets on top and expecting the heat from the blankets and Bryan to soon warm me.  So comforting.  It’s just not the same when you’re hot, with just the sheet on, the fan going overhead, and not wanting to touch or be touched.

Lazy Saturdays.  Between soccer, frisbee, and summer excursions, Saturdays always seem to be so busy.  Fun, but busy.  We don't have kids into basketball, so our winter Saturdays tend to be lazy and kind of boring.  I've always gone stir-crazy before.  But I've come to appreciate them this year.  It's OK to be a little bored.  It's OK for my kids to find things to do.  We read, play games, take naps… it’s great!  Maybe that just means I'm getting older and lazier...

And I LOVE soups.  Mmmmmmmm.

2 comments:

Ruth said...

I could see the picture, or video, or whatever it is at the top of your post! You might try reading 'The BFG', or some other Roald Dahl book. I've got 'The BFG' on hold at the library right now, with the intention of reading it to Tayson. I'm currently reading to him from 'The Magic Treehouse' books. He hasn't quite caught the reading bug yet, and reading is still a chore for him yet, so I'm trying to introduce him to fun, ongoing stories that will catch his interest.

mrs t said...

This post is funny because my winters are so different from yours. I LOVE winter. In fact, the only thing I don't like about winter is the short days. The weather is beautiful here, and of course, the sun is always shining. Like you, I LOVE soups and I can't eat them here in the summer. Way too hot. So as soon as the highs start dipping into the 70s, I start making soup. I also love being slightly chilly as I crawl into bed, snuggling, feeling the weight of the covers.

Summers are a different story. I don't even want to talk about it.

I agree with Ruth. We have read a lot of The Magic Treehouse books and Gracie really likes them. We also read and liked Ralph S Mouse. Other books we've read are a little more girly, but maybe Colby won't mind. We've read a book from the Nancy Drew Notebook Series and a couple Judy Moody. Just a few ideas. Let me know if you decide to read any of them or if you have any other suggestions.

Wow. This is a long comment.