Oh, the shortest longest month of the year has begun. I've lived in Maine long enough now (um, all 30 years) to know the drill. The buzz of the holidays are over, and the excitement with the first snow and first outdoor play have worn off. We've had enough cozy, winter, inside crafting days so that the novelty of that has worn off too. And the reality of the long winter ahead has sunk in. I've never been an outside winter play kind of gal, so my inclination is to hibernate, sleep more, go out less, and stay inside where it's warm to just make things all day. Quietly. But that inclination isn't one that gels so much with three very young, very active, and very curious and very excited-about-the-world-around-them little ones. Which makes February my most challenging parenting month by far. Talking to others around me right now, I know it's not just me. Particularly among fellow homeschoolers, the month 'february' seems to be uttered with a bit of a moan. It's a loooong one.
So, this year, in my attempt to keep out of the February Funk, I'm trying to mix it up a little ahead of the game. Planning a short (albeit, local) weekend family getaway. Having Steve - a lover of winter - take the lead in the family energy and hyping us up to ski, sled, skate and play in the snow everyday. Moving some toys around inside for better play. Digging deep in the craft cabinet and books for inspiration. And just generally trying to avoid the staleness that is far too familiar, and can be slightly debilitating this time of year. In the virtual realm, I need a little blog shakeup too. I'm feeling a little bored and boring (wanna see another picture of a smock?!). So, next week I'm both challenging myself, and making my life a little easier by posting just a photo from something we do during our day. A photo of our daily attempt to stay out of the vortex of the february funkies, if you will.
(I'll still update the shop next Tuesday at noon, and will tell you here when I do that.) And if anyone else, trying to avoid the february funk (in this hemisphere or not!), cares to join along in the photo challenge, just give a shout out in the comments so we can follow along. Perhaps our images could even inspire each other with a much needed, new and fresh idea. A very good thing, indeed. {Edited later: I know I was um, vague in my description. So, feel free to interpret as you wish! Children or not, winter or not. I'll just be posting photos of what I/we are doing to get through the especially long days!}
See you on Monday!!
