Mommy's Blog: Our Lives in a Snow Globe, continued.

Happy February, loves! It's that moment in midwinter where we think the snow and ice will last forever. This winter our snow globe feels more permanent than most as we've not had a full thaw since Christmas. The snow just keeps coming, with days of bitter cold interspersed. We had two days of 40 degree weather this week and nearly saw the ground again-- before the next major storm arrived with 10 inches of new snow, and somehow, amazingly, TWO snow days. Snow Days- they are what get us through winter, I think. It's easy to love this beautiful, snow-white world when I get to enjoy it from the couch, under my heated blanket, watching the pre-show for the Olympics. Not a bad way to do a Friday.

We continue to do our best to get out and enjoy the snow. It's not easy, with all the digging out, shuffling down narrow driveways, scraping cars, bundling up. The mornings before work are so cold and so dark, and by evening all of us just want to sit and watch TV and play on our phones. January is kind of a hard month, you know? Just have to find joy where you can.

Like on the island at Forest Hill park. We took advantage of a frozen pond and went onto the island for the first time. It was ridiculously fun.

So pretty and untouched. We said hi to the ducks and sat in the snow and just played. Too bad the kids missed it. (Have I mentioned how hard it is to get these teens to engage and want to do things with us?? It makes me so sad. But not so sad that I can't enjoy myself without them...)

Pretty much the only view I get of my son during the week-- post practice, post shower, on his phone. When we're lucky, he's chatty about whatever is on his phone. He and Nat play Clash royale together, or check their stocks. Raising kids is so unexpected. One day you have a tiny baby who won't let you put him down. Then suddenly you have a full grown human who wants to get into vinyl and buy expensive pants and check his stocks...

After so much snow and cold, we had to get to the lake to check out the ice.

It was gorgeous.

And a bit more of an adventure than we had bargained for. This photo was taken moments before Winter managed to put her back legs through the ice under the pier and needed a full lay-on-your-stomach-and-reach rescue by Nat. At the same moment that Ivy got trapped in a waist high snowdrift and had to freeze her hands getting out because she's 11 so she won't wear gloves even when you strongly recommend she does..

Happily all's well that ends well, and we went home cold but intact.

Here's the most common view of this girl right now- in the yellow chair, with the cat, watching Castle with daddy. I have no idea why this is her favorite show but she is majorly obsessed. It's become part of her nightly routine. Also this cat is crazy.

Last meet of the regular season! It went so fast. Look at that big kid gertting up on the blocks. He's filled out a lot this season.

It was Senior night and man will our team miss this phenomenal group of kids.

These freshmen have some BIG shoes to fill.

We have finally gotten some good skiing in. Just have to start our night at 8pm after the ski clubs leave. This skiier's smile brought to you by skiing Grizzly in a tuck position about 10 times.

Ice day take two! We can't be stopped.

At least its very shallow here at Edgewater.

And no one went through the ice this time!

We had friends over! Like, 8 people! Game night with some our Heights peeps and it was super fun. It was the first gathering for most of us since Omicron and we all chatted about how we couldn't believe we used to have 40-some people in this house for Second Sunday Soup.

Games and conversation were great but it was baby Charlie who was the star of the show.

Last weekend was SO cold. Single digits most of the time. There was not much to do and not much desire to do it. We'd thought we might be at Holiday Valley with friends but that trip was postponed due to illness and wind chills. So we were left with a somewhat glum weekend at home. Tried to make the best of it-- Rockefeller Gardens for warmth...

...and a stop at E 55th to embrace the cold.

Decorated for Valentine's Day... (its nice to have a holiday to look forward to)

... and baked two types of cookies at once.

Never a dull moment in this kitchen.

Monday we took advantage of warmer temps and sunshine and tried Cross Country skiing.

It was beautiful in those woods and I enjoyed myself a lot.

Ivy was not a fan- "Downhill skiing is much more satifying, mom."

One day of warm sunshine and one day of 40 degree rain later and here we are, snugged in at home again.

We are soaking up snow day leisure with sleeping in, reading, and TV. And enjoying time to catch up on laundry and cleaning before the ACTUAL weekend. Such a gift.