The Mid-Winter Blues

Each year, as the gray clouds of winter come rolling in and the temperature drops faster than a boston sports' fan's morale, we invariably make two statements (emphatically, of course): 1. "This is it! This is the year we are going to take a vacation somewhere warm." 2. "Why do we live in the Northeast?! We're moving somewhere warm." We never take that warm vacation, mostly because we finally bought a house and have too many other things we should be spending our non-existent disposable income on. And we just can't decide upon the right warm place to move. California is clearly the obvious choice- beautiful weather, schools we would actually consider sending our kids to, etc. Of course, California has lots of people... and lots of natural disasters. And so... here we are.

Daddy, in particular, should definitely live somewhere warm. He's an outdoorsy kind of guy- nothing makes him happier than hiking in the woods, getting a little sunburn, breathing fresh air... well, the Patriots winning the Superbowl and completing a perfect season might've, but we'll probably never know will we?! Anyhow, he tends to go a little stir crazy when winter rolls around and the constant cold and precipitation forces him inside. Maia seems to take after him in this way. It can be pouring buckets of rain, and she'll be standing at the back door begging to put on her rain boots and jacket and go splash around with Gritty. And thus, we spend many of our weekends wondering how to amuse ourselves. Shopping? Ugh! Nothing sends Daddy and Maia faster into misery! Museums? So crowded!

This past weekend we were supposed to attend a few little birthday parties. Sadly, Mommy woke up sick on Saturday morning and we had to send our regrets for fear of infecting our entire community. Luckily, Maia and Daddy have a Saturday morning activity they could still go to with out sicko Mommy: Super Beast class at the Little Gym. The Little Gym is set up like a gymnastics studio for little kids- a giant floor mat, parallel bars, uneven bars, balance beams, etc. Classes are once a week for 45 minutes for kiddoes and parents together. They move around between different group and kid activities, and end with the always hilarious toddler chase of bubbles. The goal of the class is for the kids to develop self-confidence and self-esteem through challenging themselves, trying new things, etc. (There are lots of other goals, but really, when we're talking about selling a class for toddlers, when aren't there?!) Maia loves it. We started last fall, and it's been great for her. And now it's great for her and Daddy! Anyhow, this Saturday's group activity involved playing with a giant parachute, always a big hit. And when we woke up on Sunday morning and faced yet another day of alternating rain and snow, Maia suddenly remembered WE had a parachute! We were able to locate it, and hours of fun for all were had- hours that luckily held off the mid-winter blues for another day...