Snow prints!

Last year my son, able to walk independently in the snow for the first time, declared with delight "I am making snow prints!" We made all kinds of tracks that day, even tracing out our names in the snow and making 'canyons' to walk in. This year, he's been asking who made the various footprints we find. I recommend the book 'Wild Tracks' as a kid friendly guide to what you may find (available at our own (Huntington Memorial Library).

Getting outside is tough, even for a girl like me who grew up sledding in Wyoming (you thought 15 deg F was cold). Yet it is vital, especially if your kids are in daycare or school. They aren't getting as much exercise as you may think. Getting outside as a family at the end of the day is a much better alternative to settling them down in front of the TV or even with books. According to one report, kids spend half as much time outside today compared to how much time they spent outdoors 20 years ago: No Child Left Inside.

GreenHour.org is a website encouraging everyone to give our kids one "...'Green Hour' a day -- a bit of time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world [to] ... set them on the path toward physical, mental, and emotional well-being." They offer lots of ideas to get you started and a community page where you can share what you've discovered.

What works for us: A little aquafor or petroleum jelly can protect irritated cheeks from cold and wet conditions. Knit gloves, all the same color, can be found in packs of four (no need to panic if you lose one). I cut the excursions short before the kids start to get cold and miserable. By the way, there is nothing wrong with a quick ride in the sled after dark--it can be such a memorable experience, especially if the stars are out.

Of course, sometimes it really is too cold. That's when we pull the cushions off the couch, play Sousa marches, and get jumping.