Winter Break 2020 Highlights

• Walks. My favorites were walks to the nearby park with my son. We went on days that were slightly below freezing, so we could explore the trails without sinking into mud. It felt so good, like discovering new worlds. One of our hikes was a couple of days after it snowed, so that was extra fun. We followed footprints and paw prints, and even skiing tracks. I love winter. Not the slushy mess that’s underfoot right now (because rain and above-freezing weather – ridiculous….) but the real thing – with snow in the trees, brisk air, blue skies. We also went on family neighbourhood walks and ogled at people’s houses (there are some pretty cool houses with unusual styles!)

• Outdoor fire pit. We had a stretch of cold-but-nice evenings, so my husband had fire going. We roasted potatoes and ate dinner in front of the fire to stay warm. The whole thing was kind of like pretending to rough it in the winter woods but then going back into the house and sleeping in our nice warm beds. Oh, and kids made s’mores. As far as I am concerned, nothing beats a potato right out of the hot coals, but to each their own, I suppose.

• Indoor fireplace. And snuggling with books, or playing board games in front of the fireplace.

• Ping-pong: we got ourselves a small ping-pong table for Hanukkah. Husband and son are really into it! We have it in the living room for the time being, so can enjoy the fireplace and play ping-pong at the same time.

•  Food. I baked a lot of sourdough bread. Daughter baked a cake. We also made multiple batches of cookies (oatmeal/raisin/chocolate chip and ginger snap). Husband cooked lamb. He also made his amazing beans in the cast-iron pot (not on top of the wood stove this time, just on our regular gas range). We had food exchange with my parents. They sent “vinigret” (beet salad), cow tongue (I haven’t had it in years! Delicious! Kids loved it but said they would never mention eating tongue to their classmates), and cake.

•  Movies. We all had some extra screen-time (because holidays! Vacation!) Kids watched Elf, Son of Bigfoot, and Star Wars original trilogy. Husband and I watched True Lies and Buffy. We all watched Wolfblood.

•  Kids had zoom and skype fun with their friends. Son and his best friend were designing something (a computer, I think?) and talking about their holidays and gifts. Older daughter and her friends are working on doing a remake of “just add magic” – so they were putting together a script and practicing their roles. And also just talking on the phone (for hours). Youngest daughter (she is 6) got to hang out with her older sister’s friends on Skype (but she was grumpy that she didn’t get to see her own friends).

•  We went on a masked hike with friends to a new park (new trails!!!). It was good to see friends and our kids are similar age and get along really well. Good thing about winter hikes – masks keep your face warm!

• Husband and son replaced split-rail fence and got started on building a wood-shed.

•  Dancing. The kids and I had a spontaneous dance party while waiting for the ball to drop on New Years Eve. They got some good moves, especially the 6 year old!!!

•  No work!!! No school!!! Sleeping in until 9 (first time since our son was born >12 years ago)!!!