I love winter! The cool fresh air, the snow to play in and the wonderful feeling you get after being outside for the morning and then coming in to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies fresh from the oven! It is all so wonderful!

But I didn't always feel this way. Truly, it has only been within the last couple years that I've come to embrace the coldest of seasons! I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't have to leave the house every week day morning like I once did. But mainly I'd have to say it is because of the kids! They LOVE playing outside and joining them reminds me so much of many great childhood memories of playing in winter wonderland!

My biggest challenge though, is getting them outside everyday in the winter. I want so much for them to have that time of outdoor play but some days I just really want to stay in! Getting them all suited up seems to take forever! (Although I must admit that Piper does most of her own dressing which is a huge help!) And once outside, I often get bored or worn out from pulling or pushing them around in sleds. Quite frankly, it depends on the day. Somedays we go out and spend a good hour of going up and down the hill. Other days, I'd much rather be doing something else!

So lately, I've been trying to come up with some new things to try outside. Yesterday, for example, we did snow art! We filled some spray bottles with water and food dye and sprayed the snow to make some pretty designs!

This was a big hit with Piper! Later in the day, when Matt came home and said he had to go out and shovel the driveway, Piper's first reaction was: "Don't take away my colors!"

I have a few other ideas up my sleeve for the weeks to come and I'll share them with you once we've given them a try! But in the meantime, do you have any ideas for different kinds of outdoor winter play? We could use your suggestions!