Today is back to school after the Christmas holidays.  The kids got an extra day which was a work day for teachers.  Harry as is often the case after a break was up early and ate his breakfast with time to spare.  Both boys were excited and ready for action this morning.  It is a our first very cold morning - it was 11 degrees when I got up.  It has been a warm winter so far, so I can't complain, but it is always a shock that first really cold morning.

I am in that time of winter where I feel challenged.  I am not getting enough sunlight and outdoors time (nor are the kids) and so I feel a little blue/anxious.  At the same time it is so cold out, that it makes sense to  cover up windows to keep in the warmth.  However, for my sanity, I add an extra layer on and open the curtains and let in as much sunshine as I can.  Intellectually I know that the days are getting longer, but the cold and the dark can be hard to take.  I think Harry has a similar issue, he often has a hard time this time of year.  Still I think that knowing that is my issue is half the battle, it makes me stop and do my best to enjoy life and my kids.  I try to remember that even as the outside world looks so barren, there are many things happening under the surface and in a few short months we'll see the evidence in crocuses and blossoming trees.

So anyway, Christmas break is over.  It was a fun time and not all toys are thoroughly discovered so that will give us some projects over the next few weeks.  Harry's been putting together lots of legos and Robert has been putting stickers in his many new sticker books.

Here are a few pictures from the past week or so.

Our favorite beach in the winter

Two boys on a plank

A makeshift seesaw

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