Ice, Ice, Baby

Last week was pretty sad and pitiful in our household. It was cold and yucky, and all our little friends on the block were home sick with bad colds, fevers and throwing up. Nothing to mess with, and we kept our distance. It was one of those weeks where you sort of think about going to a museum or indoor playground, but then you remember all those little germy hands touching everything, and it seems safer to stay at home even though you're going a little crazy.

Finally over the weekend, the weather broke a little and the sun came out, and we were ready to move. I took all the kids to the park (baby in the sling!) where we spent a couple of afternoons checking out the amazing icy creek leftover from the freezing days last week. Ian and his friend Sam slid from one end of the creek side trail to the other with big "hockey" sticks in their hands and using rocks for pucks. They were fascinated by the holes in the ice and the bubbling water flowing underneath. "This is amazing", one said, as he discovered some huge icicles hanging from the rocks. "This is amazinger", the other exclaimed as he jabbed his stick into an ice hole pretending to catch a big fish. I was cracking up as I led the way on the muddy trail and they followed taking the creek, slipping and sliding and fighting off angry beavers and river trolls.

Julia sang her favorite high school musical songs and pretended to be doing a Disney-on-ice routine (I think even the woodpeckers were scared), and we all enjoyed some fresh air. It was great to be out in nature, bundled up in our hats and waterproof boots, and making the most of winter.

I am always awed by taking these opportunities, how little it takes to have some adventure with kids. You don't need museum memberships or indoor swimming, though those plans are fun once in awhile, but just give a kid some sticks and ice and fallen branches, and watch them use their imaginations. Best of all, they got to get really dirty, and it wasn't in my house!

Even the baby seemed to enjoy herself. She just cuddled into her sling and made soft little cooing sounds, sleeping soundly the entire hike.

So my advice: get out of the house, and get rid of the winter blues. There are few germs in nature, and all you need are some really warm clothes and insulated boots, preferably the kind you can hose off before getting in the car...