We have been having some crazy weather this winter. Other than a couple cold snaps, it has been unbelievably mild, and even downright warm some days. I love spring-like weather, and I don't do well with the cold, but there is something just not right about walking to get the mail in short sleeves and bare feet at the end of January!
It has really messed with my mind as well as our "school" rhythm. Although January and February more often than not mean some degree of "burn out" for me, it is also the time when we get the most "work" done around here. I mean, when you're freezing what else is there to do than snuggle up, drink tea, and learn Latin! But the weather is calling us outside a couple of months too early. Honestly, I have to keep reminding myself of what month this is. The kids are feeling it too. Regina asked me today if there was going to be a summer reading contest this summer. I had to remind her that it is the first week in February and summer is a long way off! Now, for someone like me who always feels a day behind at least, losing a whole season is really disconcerting!
I will admit loving the absence of snow boots and gloves all over the place, or worrying about bundling up the baby when we go out. But as I told Katherine this afternoon, it is so easy to understand why God gave us the seasons, and the life rhythms that go with them. There is a time for everything, and this strange weather seems to be mixing things up too much.
We did take advantage of the nice weather last week. It was one of those "World's Best Mom" moments. You know, when you venture out to the front step with a cup of coffee to soak in the warm breeze and a child comes to you with a request that you would usually reject immediately. But that little voice says, "Why not?" and "Encourage their passions" and "Get off of your butt, Mom, and let them have fun!". So we did.
Clare had asked to build a fire. She actually wanted to rub two sticks together to start a fire, but we agreed that we lacked whatever know-how was necessary for that. I told her to find Timmy and enlist his help. When he realized I had actually approved the endeavor, he got to work. They raked out the fire pit area and found some dry kindling. (It had rained overnight or I wouldn't have approved such a project without Daddy. I wasn't really feeling like "Mommy firefighter" with a baby strapped to my chest!) In fact, we even grabbed some small branches from the Christmas tree out back because much of the wood was a little too damp.
Once we got some flames and a lot of smoke the inevitable question came. Once again, I rallied to the moment and agreed. What question? Smores, of course! So we cooked and ate and played and ate. I am so glad I said yes!
Timmy, our man of the house.
A little teamwork.
She wasn't really sticking her hand in the fire, really.
We have fire! Now what?
Elizabeth was a smoke magnet!
Augustine loving his smore!
Teresa wasn't really walking on the rocks around the fire pit, really.
Katherine took over baby holding, so I could supervise (and eat marshmallows)
And the ring leader, Clare! Thanks for a fun afternoon, sweetie. You make life an adventure!