Beat the winter BLAHS

I think every stay-at-home mom dreads the upcoming winter like the plague. Between bad weather, germs, and bundling everyone, going out is not easy, but staying home can drive a mother INSANE.

So what's a mother to do?

Make a plan and buck up.

Here are somethings that we are doing to help beat the winter:

1. Activities classes: We are continuing to be part of the activities class that the kids currently attend. The class is for 1- to 3-year-olds, so it works for us. Plus, it is only 2 blocks away. I really can't beat location and price, so till the kids out grow it, we are going once a week. We also signed the kids up for swim lessons at our local high school on Saturdays. I would not be able to take them by myself, and the kids will love doing this as a family. (Yes, I will be very pregnant and in a swim suit. Anything for the kids, right?)
2. Craft/Play date swap: I mentioned this before, but a friend and I are each hosting a craft and play  date and lunch for the kids once a month. That is then at least twice a month the kids are doing a little more than the normal play date. Adding the craft to it, really spices up the norm. 
3. Daily routine: I can not stress enough how important having a daily routine is for our family. We play in different rooms and different toys in different ways all through out the day. If we are stuck at home, I feel like this completely helps the day pass by smoothly. When we are stuck in one room, doing the same thing, the day drags, the kids whine, and I want to scream. The more routine we are the better everyone is and the MORE I get done too.



Maisie and Calan playing together at the library. We don't
 let our kids play with our computer at home yet, so the
library computer is a special treat for them. 

4. Turn on the music: I have recently realized that when we play kid-friendly music throughout the day the kids play so much nicer and Calan is not sitting there asking (whining) to turn the TV on every 2 seconds. If the music is on, he knows that it is play time. Plus, Maisie LOVES music. She could sit and listen to music all the time. Everyone is just more pleasant with "Wheels On the Bus" playing in the background. 



The kids playing at Detroit Kid City, a wonderful play area
close to us.It offers so many different things for the kids
to do and role play with. 

5. The good ole library: Seriously, who doesn't love the library with young kids. There is nothing like it in their lives. Free, fun, education, etc. the list goes on. Not only going to libraries in your area, but visit other libraries for their story times. It keeps it all interesting and fun for the kids. 
6. Special day/morning trips: There are so many play areas in our area for young kids, but they all, of course, cost money. So, for us, they are not any every week kind of thing, but we can enjoy them here and there when we need to do something more. 

So, that's the plan. The fact is my house is only 1,230 square feet and some how in the winter that feels like 600. We will try to get out regularly, pray that sickness stays at bay, and enjoy as much time as we can as a family. 

What's on your winter agenda?