Surviving a Snow Day...

...when it's too cold to send the kids outside!

Where we're at here in Michigan, the kids had their very first snow day of the year.  And Tuesday will be the 2nd snow day of the year.  So how to keep your kids from bouncing off the walls while they're cooped up in the house and keep your sanity too?

My oldest is 5 and only goes to Kindergarten half day so this wasn't too much of a change for us.  But it was still an extra three hours having her home instead of at school.  Three extra hours to fight with her 2 year old sister and bug me to go play outside in the snow... except that it was only 9° (with a wind chill making it feel like -5°) so I couldn't send her outside!

Thank goodness for kids shows on tv, and finally new holiday episodes so I don't have to wear earplugs while they're watching them (it can be rough hearing the same songs over and over).  So the girls watched some of those, also good ol' coloring book and crayons and playdoh helps to keep the kiddos occupied.

If you have older kids, hopefully you have all the goodies- video games, computer, ipod... stuff to keep them entertained.  And hopefully you also have plenty of food and snacks on hand to keep their tummy's full- hungry kids are always cranky!

If you're up for more hands-on activities, a craft or some baking (what kid doesn't like frosting and eating Christmas cookies) is something most younger kids, and older as well, will enjoy.  Here's a few websites for some easy holiday craft ideas, depending on what you have on hand:

• Amazing Moms
• Family Fun
• Kaboose
• Kids Holiday Crafts

I think we'll be attempting to make some simple homemade ornaments for the tree tomorrow.  And hopefully I'll have some pics for Wordless Wednesday. 

If your kids also have a snow day, what will you be doing?

Holy Sickness...

   Wow, have we been sick at my house this winter!  It seems since our daughter started school, we've all gotten sick at least once a month.  This month has proven to be the toughest one yet.  It started with our middle daughter having a sinus infection and then developing pink eye.  Then the following week our oldest daughter puked for a day, got better for a day, then puked again.  Then the latest incident, our middle daughter again, did the exact same thing as the oldest except had a fever in between... and it just happened to also be her birthday.  Poor kiddo!  :(

   I hate to see my kids sick, especially when there's not much we can do for them.  And now that they're finally starting to feel better... wait for it... mommy is sick!!  That's right, the one that cleaned up the puke, wiped noses, wiped butts (there was some diarrhea involved also, sorry tmi), and held & cuddled with sick kids is now the one that's sick!  But at least I'm not expelling bodily fluids, from either end.  **EDIT 3/27/10- YES I AM!!  UGH!**    Thankfully, somehow, the baby has avoided it all except a little bit of a runny nose and my hubby also managed to avoid the germs.  I on the other hand have a sore throat, runny nose, & plugged ears.  Why, oh why, can't we just get healthy and stay healthy?!  When will this sickness end...