warmer weather

colored balloons we did the other day

Well, I got my wish and got a few days in a row of VERY warm temperatures, at least for this tundra in January (not a hint of bitterness there :)).  I haven't subbed this whole week which seemed very strange after being called in so much before the school break.  It is funny how as a mom you are always questioning if you're doing the right thing as far as working, not working, staying home.  And then even if you make a decision you feel guilty no matter which you choose.  :) Maybe not every woman, but talking to friends, it is a struggle for most of us.  I know that in the long run this is good, but it's hard when we could be saving up a lot of money I'm not earning.  But, I do have quite a few days lined up already to sub in preschool and 1st grade so it will be great getting back to that.

Yesterday was Friday and a really nice day outside and since I was staying home I decided I wasn't going to feel guilty and instead enjoy being outside. :) I met up with a friend and we checked out that new cross country skiing trail in town.  We only did a little part of it because she didn't have that much time, but it felt so good to be in the fresh air and the trail is really cute going thru the woods and by the river.  After that it goes on the river for a while and the whole thing is about 5 miles ending around the golf course.  So it sounds wonderful to go out there for a longer run.  There's a group of skiers that meet on Sunday afternoons so I might check that out too because it's more fun going with someone else.

I got back home and thought what a bummer kids have school on such a nice day.  And the thought occurred to me that I could do at least something with them after school.  So I surprised them and picked them up after school (usually they ride the bus home) and we went ice skating to the town's outside rink.  It was nice and we were the only ones there.  We had a snack in the warming house and then I took them to the trail I skied on earlier.  They really enjoyed the trail but Kason and Anika were getting a bit tired by then and there were some parts that had deeper snow so not the easiest for them to walk in.  But I was so glad I did that with them.  It didn't take that much time and it is so good to do something active together outside.  I'm very grateful to my parents who always took us exploring nature or for walks because it stayed with me and now I can't go too long without it.

Today Kade had a basketball tournament in the morning and we all went to it because it might be one of the last ones this season.  It is sometimes a bit painful watching 5th graders play and I would love to just switch places with them to play it :).  But they're learning a lot and slowly improving.  After that we brought Kade's friend to our house and enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home.  We all went outside for a while, some shoveled, some wrestled in the snow, some ran around and some skied.  Now I'm waiting for the last batch of cookies to come out of the oven and life is good. :)  There's always things that try to crepe into my head and worry me, like that unexpected car repair expense this week but despite it I will give thanks for what I have.  Like the 3 babes drinking hot cocoa next to me right now. :)

little cc skiing behind our house

Enjoying hot cup of tea after shoveling