#97- How to Survive Winter with 3, 3 & Under

Let me tell you, this is no task for the weak of heart.
I think we can all agree this winter has been long and relentless. For the first 4 months I really didn't mind, but by March I am now feeling good about it being Over. For awhile. Like, for a year.

Honestly, I have no idea how we survived winter since we practically lived outside last spring/summer/fall.
But after a few weeks of the fluffy stuff, I started to need to get creative.
Here are some tips, mostly for myself so I can look back on this post come November.

-Build forts; Blanket forts, pillow forts, couch cushion forts, I now build some of the best.
-Blow bubbles indoors
-Balloons: Just always have balloons on hand. The possibilities are endless.
-Lay a towel on the floor and fill two bowls with water; one with soap, one clear, give them their plastic toys or measuring cups/kitchen utensils and let them 'bake' or bathe their toys.
(The towel really doesn't do too much, but this activity takes up at least 10 minutes and in the end you have to mop up the floor with the towel so the bonus is you get a clean floor and 10 minutes)
-Lego (well, we only have mega blocks, and this year Isaac, and now Rosie, really enjoy it, Oliver likes clapping them together too)
-Superhero: I tie capes (baby blankets) on the kids and they pretend they are superheros. Set up an imaginary scenario and they do the rest. You have to come up with creative stories but otherwise you can sit still for a few minutes.
-Simon-Says: forget the rules, as long as everyone gets a turn this can be fun. Even for little ones.
-Play-dough. Don't buy it, that stuff gets nasty fast. I make ours and added some soothing essential oil to make it smell really nice, a good calming activity that also can take up more than 10 minutes. Here's the recipe I use, I separate it into two balls and knead in the food colouring later. Another thing we like to do is stick a couple raw spaghetti sticks in the playdough and drop cheerios through them.
-Blanket rides (and blanket rides, and blanket rides...the kids never get sick of this so it can last as long as you can. It's kind of a mindless thing for you, and they laugh hysterically the whole time, when they're not bumping their heads, ok so it is a bit mindful)
-Go outside for at least a few minutes. Although this makes everyone freshen up, it was dreadful. Taking 20 minutes getting 3 dressed to go out in -20 weather for 5 minutes. But hey, there's half an hour of the day taken up! And you can reward yourself with hot chocolate or tea afterwards.
-Read stories over and over and over. I am blessed to have kids who love being read to, I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed. *dry cough*
-Dance party: We crank up some tunes. If it's a really tough day I will put on music videos by the "Go Fish Guys". Check them out, they have some pretty rockin' tunes. Isaac's current favourite is the "Superhero" song.
-Tickle-Monster: Carrying on the tradition from my own father. This game requires a lot of energy on your part, but will wear the kids out and bring out lots of giggles. The rules are simple. Chase, tickle, repeat xforever.
-Colouring: Only Rosalie, and recently Oliver, enjoy colouring for long periods of time. **Tip** if you lay everything out for preschoolers they are more likely to sit down and do it for a longer time.
-Cornmeal drawing: I dump some cornmeal on a baking sheet and let the kids 'draw' in it. Even Isaac likes this one, or drives his cars in it.
-Show-time: Forgive yourself. I am one of those ONE SHOW A DAY moms, which usually is a 20-30 minute show when baby brother is napping. Even though this is our strict schedule the kids will STILL whine and complain for mooooooooore shows. And you know...there have been days this winter where I have complied. Or let the show go on to the next one....forgive yourself. Survive.

As for things to do when you have the luxury of a vehicle (for us, when Eric is home and we can go do outings:
-The Library!
-Indoor Swim!
-Visit a pet-store!
-Go out for a family meal once in awhile. A lot of places have kids eat free days. Kids should learn how to behave in a restaurant. Start 'em young.
-Take advantage of McDonalds free coffee days and go to one with a play-place!! (but maybe just keep the coffee to the adults)

There's lots more, the hard part is finding an activity that all 3 kids can do and enjoy. But even if two out of 3 are happy, you're doing okay.
Tea parties, snack 'picnics', play cars/trucks, play dolls, play buttons (I tie a string to a chair and let them make necklaces, Oliver likes to sit in his highchair and put them in and out of cups) play pretend, piggy-back rides, bake something, give them damp cloths and let them 'clean' the walls. Eric has a game where he sits by the couch and the kids run past him and he catches them and throws them on the couch, repeat x40. The thing that requires the most of you will be the thing that they love the most and will do the longest. Ain't that how it goes.

I'm no Pinterest-Princess, I don't do a lot of uber-cool crafts or creations or Montessori exercises with my kids. Honestly, the work that goes into preparing such things only to have it last 3 minutes and a huge mess of glue and paper bits and screaming and utterly no proof that anything creative has been done doesn't really fly too often, and usually leaves us all frustrated. Maybe when they are older.
I'm talking survival here.

To anyone else who can sympathize with this winter and little ones pullin' on your apron strings, Be Brave! We are almost there! Soon we can set them free into the open air! Hallelujah!

Please add anymore go-to survival tips that helped you get through the winter! I'm going to make a list in October to have ready!