Trying to survive winter

We, like many, are cold and snowed in.  There's so much snow that it doesn't feel worth dressing us all in our winter gear and going outside. I don't really know where we'd go but I am starting to feel stir crazy. I am not sure I can watch another show or clean up another mess.  

Miss M is a creative soul who loves to use her creativeness to make a mess.  We were going to make a cake one day. I put a cup of flour in the mixer and before I knew it she and the rest of the kitchen was covered in flour. She was rubbing it all over her. I don't really care if she makes a mess when she's quiet and when she's not just throwing stuff around but playing, if the difference makes sense. It's more the quiet that I enjoy.  

Yesterday, I went to make a snack for myself. I was going to eat cottage cheese and tomatoes so I got them out of the refrigerator and she wanted to play with the tomatoes. I struggle with whether to let her play with things that aren't toys or squash her creative spirit and tell her tomatoes aren't a toy. At the end of the day I don't really care if she smashes a few tomatoes (we went to Costco - so we had plenty) but I didn't want a big mess or her to be a mess since we had preschool and I actually had her clothed. She took each of the tomatoes out of the package and then took the vines off each of the tomatoes. She then wanted a bowl with water. This is the point where I got nervous. She informed me that tomatoes can't grow without water. She had reasonable logic so I gave her the bowl with water. She then needed another bowl of water and a lot of towels because she needed to give each of the tomatoes a bath. Surprisingly, there were no destroyed tomatoes. It was a win for everyone.

It's amazing how she is okay with giving the tomatoes a bath but you bring up the idea of giving her a bath and everything goes downhill. As I have mentioned before, it's a disaster. She usually ends up in time-out and in her room for an early bed. She doesn't care. I can't figure out what she's scared of. I know she doesn't like the water in her eyes but come on kid. I bought a pair of goggles for her bath time based on the recommendation of a few people. It went better but getting her in the bath is still a task.  Last night I got her in the bath with bribery. I told her she could watch a show after the bath and she insisted she watch 3 shows and she wants to list which shows/episodes/order.   I guess once a week I can handle this.

Andrew got up with the children Sunday. Woohoo.  After I got up (45 mins later) he suggested we go somewhere or do something. We had been trapped inside for so long it was a great idea. He suggested we go to the aquarium. We sat through part of the dolphin show. It's a slow show especially for a 2 year old. Mr. Man was happy and playful.

Miss M, however, was bored. She took her book bag full of who knows what was in there. She didn't watch the show but rather pulled out a few books and read while the show took place. We toured the rest of the aquarium and then headed to the outdoor mall for some shopping/returns/food. It was a fun day. We need to be more thoughtful with our weekends and not letting them just go by while we sit home and do the same things. We need to go places and do things when there's two of us to man the children.

Andrew forgot his work bag at home yesterday so after dropping Miss M off at school we headed to the city. We were able to go to lunch. Mr. Man enjoyed some hot beef sandwich and french fries.