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Staying indoors with two small children all day long, sound appealing?  How about two days?  And, minimal TV viewing.  These are the moments where memories are made, right!

Well, recently we all had a couple of snow days as we were pounded with the white stuff.  I viewed this as an opportunity to spend some time with the kids without rushing around and just staying home.  Days like these don’t come very often.  What to do?  Me personally, when it turns cold outside, there is nothing better than baking or cooking something warm.  Comfort foods are in order!

Aiden and Brynn being the big fans of sweets that they are, were all for making chocolate chip cookies.  There they were, both on the counter, willing to help right away, I didn’t have to ask twice for this.  As I assembled the ingredients, hands were busy inspecting everything and touching, touching, touching.  I remember looking at the vanilla thinking I should add this to my grocery list.  Minuets later, guess what spilled on the counter.  You guessed it, the vanilla.  Ugh.  Patience, memories…I told myself.

I had lots of help measuring ingredients, cracking eggs; Aiden insists on doing this, and is actually getting pretty good at it.  Taking turns, trying to keep everything in order, fingers out of the bowl; boy, this is not as easy as I thought it might be, silly me.  Memories, patience, I thought.  Then came time to turn on the electric mixer, what fun!!!  Who knew!  We lost a little flour when it was turned on high right away.  Oh the cupboards!  Patience, smile, I thought.  What the heck, laugh!

I had helpers for scooping cookie dough onto the cookie sheet.  Taking turns of course.  Into the oven they went and those 10 minutes seemed to take forever.. to a 5 and almost 3 year old.  As soon as the timer went off, there they were ready to taste their creations.

The bad thing about cookies is that they sit on the counter cooling for some time before they can be put away.  It is hard to keep fingers out of them.  Mine and the kids, I do have to admit.  We don’t need too much sugar when we’re spending all day inside.  That is for sure!

On to the next project, since making cookies didn’t take all that long.  We made chicken noodle soup and banana bread, too.  The kitchen was a mess anyway, so we kept on going.

During our couple of snow days we also colored Christmas pictures, and made blanket tents; all over the living room.  At one point the black lab got a makeover from Aiden as he tried to dress him in barrettes and pony tails.  Poor dog, good thing he’s easy going and great with the kids.  Of course, Aiden begged and begged to play outside.  Me personally, I thought it was too cold.  He wasn’t buying that.  The kids did get out for short periods of time.  Then it was hot chocolate time.  I even found some sugar-free hot chocolate in the cupboard—score!

I have a couple of really cute aprons a friend of mine made for the kids.  She has a at home business and does a fabulous job.  You know, these snow days would have been a good time to give them to the kids.  I forgot.  Once the vanilla spilled I was in survival mode.  No really, I’ll have another chance to surprise the kids with them.  We’ll have to make cut out sugar Christmas cookies for Santa.  Complete with colored frosting and lots and lots and lots of SPRINKLES!  Guess what I’ll be telling myself; patience, memories.

I hope you get the opportunity for some special memory making moments with your family and loved ones.  The Christmas break is fast approaching and there will be more opportunities for some quality family time.  This time of the year is so busy as we try to cross all those tasks off the list.  May the true meaning of the season, Christ’s birth, be a part of it all.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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About the author: Kristi Weeks

Kristi Weeks is mom to a busy 5 year old boy Aiden, and a busy 2 year old girl, Brynn. She and her wonderful husband, Ryan live and farm in Juniata, NE. She cherishes getting to be a stay at home mom and having the opportunity to help out on the farm and be with her kids all day. Krisit is also the co-coordinator of the Hastings MOPS(mothers of preschoolers) group and she and Ryan stay active with Adams County Farm Bureau and Nebraska Farm Bureau. Kristi enjoys working out, finding new recipes, spending time with family and friends, golf and Husker football.