Well, it’s the end of February, and I think I’ve blogged all of three times this month. What’s funny is that we honestly weren’t even that busy. I just didn’t have the mental capacity to write anything or try to keep up with link-ups! The mental load of February is just …. a lot.
Favorite #1: A Quiet Week at Home ALONE
A highlight in February for me was spending a week at home alone while Theo took all four kids to a family reunion. I opted to stay home to cover animal chores, get work done, get some house projects done, went for some long runs with zero guilt, and honestly….just be refreshed in calm and quiet. It was lovely, but I missed my family so much and was more than ready for them to get back!
Favorite #2: Valentine’s Day Dinner
I mentioned that our mental load has been pretty heavy lately, and so we were both planning on not doing anything for Valentine’s Day. We had sick kiddos on the tail end of their illness and honestly had no desire to go through the hoops of finding a sitter and going out to eat. So last minute I told the kids that we would clean up the house and make a restaurant at home! The kids got so excited for this and even picked out clothes for Theo and I to wear. I made the dinner, but then put sticky notes with instructions on how to plate it and deliver it, and the kids were our waiters/waitress for the night! It was fantastic. We loved it SO much.
Favorite #3: Library Trips
We love our Monday afternoon library trips! It’s always a bit chaotic getting out the door, but we are all so happy when we get home with our library haul!
Favorite #4: Daddy Daughter Dance
Theo and Tera went to our school’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance! They had a blast and Tera even picked out and bought her own dress. It’s white because the dance is a glow dance so light or white colors show up the best under the lights.
Favorite #5: Hikes
Ok, so…we are still hiking. But February was the month that almost took it right out of us. The first Wednesday, Theo and the kids were out of town so I went for a hike by myself! That was..scary! And it sleet-rained-poured on me the whole time so I was SOAKED and freezing! The next Wednesday was the first time we didn’t go on a hike since August- we had two down with fevers and the rest of us were not feeling up to going out in the miserable cold. But we got back to it the following week in the frigid temps, and then this past week we had some much nicer weather, although it is officially MUD season in Ohio now!
Favorite #6: Valentine Party
Tera hosted a little Valentine party for some friends! We actually ended up having to cancel it because of a snowstorm, but we rescheduled it. Unfortunately, most of the girls couldn’t come. I also had a fun friend party planned that I had to cancel TWICE this month. That was really hard- sometimes do you feel like you are putting forth effort to make friends, have people over, connect with others, etc– and then it just doesn’t work out? It was so frustrating and I felt embarrassed that I had to text everyone to cancel not once, but TWICE! Anyways, Tera had a sweet little Valentine party even though only a couple people could come. She planned out the whole party, made invitations, and we went to the dollar store to get decorations and activities. She made a couple snacks, and planned a few games and a painting project. I’m very proud of her and her knack for event planning at the age of 10!
And that’s it for February! March, we are ready for you to arrive- and please bring Spring with you!