With this challenge top of mind for me, I am starting to look for and plan ahead the ideas for playtime each day.  Simple is better, as the kids will inevitably take the activity in a new direction, and that's OK.  So, the play for the day may be "soccer outside", or "barbies", or one of those millions of crafty things that Eil has gotten as a gift over her November birthday and Christmas.  I have been aching for these toys to get some USE before the kids outgrow them, instead of constantly being passed over in favor of the telly.

Day 7 was a challenge, everyone was hunkering down for a bad winter storm forecast.  Fat snowflakes bagan to fall as I made my evening commute...I stopped at the liquor stor for a Heineken mini-keg as a treat for the Scot (his Christmas present was a beertender).  By the way, this is a great little gadget.  It can be pricey if you don't shop around, but I used a Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off coupon and got it for $79!  We are enjoying it.

 After we got home we ran around and caught snowflakes on our toungues.  The kids were so excited, although they did keep asking why we were getting snow without it being Christmas.  Go figure.

 DAY 8: I was working from home that day as the winter storm made the surface roads too icy for travel.  So, a SNOW DAY was in order...schools were closed, so we woke up a little late, ate breakfast, and then more snow play.  We ventured out to Harry's for a shopping, but we were sliding all over, so we made that the last excursion!  The kids had some quiet time and played with Paul so I could get some work done.  That evening we went back out and the Scot and I played soccer for ages while the kids were running around.  To his credit, he didn't get impatient with my lesst than stellar skills and I even got a free coaching lesson :)  It was fun to run around and work up a (small) sweat.

DAY 9: (today)  Eileigh and I played with her Build-A-Bear kit, which today involved sewing with a plastic needle through pre-punched holes.  This is the cutest toy and we really had fun with it.  It reminded me so much of when I was a girl, learning to cross-stitch with my aunties and being crazy about cross-stitching and embroidery.  Eileigh kept saying, "I just can't believe that I am doing this all by myself!"  LOL, yes, you are a big girl!  We did set the project aside, to finish sweing another day so we can stuff. 

Also got some more snow play - will be the last I'm afraid.  The snow is really hanging in there for GA in the shady spots, but it's gradually melting back.  In other news...I took the freezing opportunity to clean out our master closet, the last closet in the house in need of a good clean out and organize.  I think I'll do another organizational post later on that process - pretty good!  I'm also working on catching up on all the laundry (aka bane of my domestic existence).