January and Our Michigan Trip

 I'm always sad when the Christmas tree comes down and our house seems naked. But our family's new found perspective on outdoor time has changed my attitude a little bit. We've been spending so much time outside, that I now crave it. In the snow, rain, cold, and wind we go outside. And it fixes all tantrums, changes bad attitudes, and increases our energy levels. It takes us sometimes up to 30 minutes to get everyone dressed and bundled, but it's so worth it. So while I'm still sad the magical, twinkling lights of Christmas are gone, I'm happy to have winter weather. I've truly enjoyed our days in the cold air and our nights by the fire. 

Here's what we've been up to:

We kicked off January with a HUGE ice storm. It was beautiful and fun to play in! We spent most of the day outside. 

Isla ate so many icicles that her lips swelled up and we had to cut her off!

We spent the night snuggled by the fire, drinking hot cocoa, and playing with dinosaurs.

After the ice storm, we got a snow storm. We played in the snow for the next two days without any breaks, except to break for hot cocoa of course!

If you're going to go outside at the crack of dawn, at least take some coffee :)

Paleo Hot Cocoa:

1 Tbsp cocoa

1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar

1 cup of milk of choice 

sprinkle of dark chocolate chips (Lily's brand uses Stevia instead of sugar, if needed)

Warm on the stove enough to melt the chocolate chips. Top with coconut whipped cream, homemade marshmallows, or more chocolate chips :)

Maple Snow Candy:

1 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup butter

tray of packed snow

Simmer the butter and maple syrup on low until it thickens and becomes stringy (5-10 minutes). Let it cool 2-3 minutes, then pour over packed snow. Once hardened, enjoy! (We cut our recipe in half and it still made enough that I have some tucked away in our freezer!)

Snow at night is magical. Isla took a dusk walk with daddy. Then we ate dinner and watched our icicle candle mounds flicker outside.

Of course the little artist has been crafting away too! And we started our "school" back up (if that's what you want to call it). It's really just a morning basket that is full of themed books and activities. We use it when we need something or as a special way to connect. Isla asks for it every time I put Ewan down for his first nap and really looks forward to it. We also enjoy our afternoon tea time together a couple times a week (depending on naps, attitudes, and time constraints). 

(Looking up all the names of dinosaurs. We are slightly obsessed). 

Then we loaded up and made our trek to Michigan. The kids did great on the way up there. But naps were skipped and it made for an awful night. Eventually Isla slept, but Ewan spent his weekend waking up every 20 minutes to an hour ALL.NIGHT.LONG. It was exhausting. Babies do not travel well. But we had a fun time with Mimi and Bupa. We explored my childhood backyard, made cookies, roasted questionable things over the fire, ate so much good food, met Great Grandma June, and spent some quality time with Mimi and Bupa. I wish we didn't live so far away.

We put some food out for the deer, but there were no takers.

And just like that January is halfway through and I'll be 30 in a few days. Time just will NOT slow down. It's getting faster and faster every day. I'm glad for these sweet moments while I can get them :)