Incase you haven't heard from us, We're Hibernating.

When Gabe started school in September, I loved walking him to and from. By October, we knew every different way to get there, switching up which blocks we walked to keep it exciting. Some days I would put Anna in the Baby Bjorn and push Gabe in the stroller, other days Anna would be strolled and Gabe would ride along on his Boogy Board. (Wow, listen to this mom lingo.... Bjorns... Boogy Boards... hope everyone is following along alright!) 

Then came December, and some days we'd opt for the car when we'd emerge from the apartment and be hit with whipping winds, cloudy days, some winter rain, and lower temps. But most of the time, we still walked.

Enter January. It's freezing!! Before, I looked forward to whisking Gabe off to school. Now, I can't wait until Thursdays and Fridays when we get to stay in from the cold and do chores in our pajamas! We've been driving to school every day since we entered 2009! I miss the twice-daily dose of sunshine and especially the exercise. That winter feeling is setting in, and I don't like it!

Yesterday, after we picked up Gabe from school, we came home... I fed Anna... Gabe had a yummy snack (he loves whole wheat tortillas and guacamole)... And we sat down to watch an after-school program on television. We huddled under blankets and buddy-warmed ourselves, having come in from the coldest day we've experienced in a while. Within a few minutes, both kids were sleeping soundly... (Daddy came home to quite a sight.)

...And there they slept until about 6 p.m.! I was grateful for the excuse ("But honey, If I get up off the couch, everyone will wake up!") and for the first time all day I was warm! 

Can you spot my newly-gifted slippers from Abuela Ilsa in the right hand corner of the picture? I wear them with socks all over the apartment; if I could, I'd wear them outside. They are so warm! Gabe calls them my "Christmas Shoes." I am not allowed to "put the Christmas Shoes on the couch, Mom. It will make the couch dirty..." Yes sirree, Gabriel. 

This morning, while I was on a work call, I had to stifle my obnoxious laugh, that really loud one that is sometimes uncontrollable, when Gabe came in to the living room like this:

"I'm scootering, Mom! Like my helmet?" I was surprised he was able to outfit his head with that helmet so well, all by himself. I asked if he wanted to go outside (praying the answer would be "no" but thought as my motherly duty I should at least ask) and he came through for me: "Umm, no. It's way too cold out. Don't wanna get sick!!!"

Too smart, kid. Too smart. 

(Hey Mom! Wanna play eye-spy? Eye spy the Beatles blanket you bought me for my birthday when I was 16... When all I played were the Beatles and owned every album ever made? Yep, still have it. It's my favorite throw blanket! It's been with me for all 7 moves!)

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To note: I hope that as we are all still talking about Jan. 20, 2008, we continue to remember Jan. 22, 1973. Today is the 36th year since its passage. 

Here is an article from the Chicago Tribune, short, sweet, and to the point.