Winter

Winter is definitely among us up in the Frozen Tundra. Although the wind can be biting, there is something so magical about this time of year. When the snowflakes fall and you feel like you're standing in the middle of a snowglobe or when your baby is infatuated with the beautifully-lit twinkle lights around the fireplace, one realizes the wonder of it all.
Along with putting up our little Christmas tree and hanging our stockings on the fireplace, we have been digging into our Christmas and Winter storybooks. Some favorites include Olive, the Other Reindeer, a very cute story about a dog named Olive who goes to the North Pole to help Santa on Christmas Eve, The Polar Express, a truly magical story of child-like belief about a boy who gets to ride on a train to the North Pole and receives the first gift of Christmas, and Mickey's Christmas Carol, the Disney version of the Charles Dicken's classic.
We've also been doing a lot of winter-themed arts and crafts. We've made a snowman, a santa, and a cute reindeer using the tracings of Chloe's footprint (for the face) and hand prints (for the antlers). Yesterday we made blue play-doh and that occupied us for most of the afternoon.
Because of the freezing temps, we've not had many chances to play outdoors but we try to go during Annie's naps. Yesterday we pulled the sled around the yard, first me giving Chloe rides and then her giving her doll a ride. After the sled was put away, we decided to do some digging in the snow. Chloe informed me that she was filling up her bucket "as a present for Santa and the reindeer." Then she asked me, "Mommy, do you think Santa will be surprised by the present?"