Greetings All! It’s been a couple weeks since I have posted anything. We have been very much immersed in a cocoon of family time. My fiance Brian works for a lawn care company, when winter comes there is no work, so all the employees are all laid off and receive unemployment benefits for a few months. Brian’s been off work since the beginning of December and we all have been so happy to have him home on Winter Staycation with us.
This time of year is always challenging financially, but we honestly would never want the money more than this priceless time together. Most families have to spend the majority of their time at their jobs to make ends meet. During these months when we have less money, we are very aware of how fortunate we are to be so poor, to able to live this way comfortably. So few other families get to have 2 or 3 uninterrupted months of time together. Years ago I used to dread the coming of winter, but now this season has become very special and sacred time of family togetherness.
So here’s how we have been spending our Winter Staycation:
Lots of Time In Our Jammies at Home
Most mornings, we wake up whenever the kids do. Our kids share a bedroom with us. So every morning I wake up to my children’s adorable chatter as they shuffle across our bed to come snuggle with us under our big down comforter. We leisurely make breakfast as we talk about the possibilities of the day. Some days we go out on little adventures and other days we simply enjoy each other’s company in our warm, cozy home. A delightful discovery in this chilly season, the kids’ little play room is blessed with direct sunlight most of the day, making it warmest, coziest room in the house.
Potty Training
A less glamorous, but still exciting part of our winter staycation is we have decided to use this extended time together to potty train our youngest. I am so thankful to have an extra pair of hands to help me clean up all the messes! But honestly, she’s really doing great and I think she’ll probably have the potty pretty much mastered by the time Brian has to go back to work.
Making Things
Along with making gifts for family and friends, we built our first gingerbread house! The kids had a blast! Click here to see a video of Harmony’s heart melting cute song she made up while we were decorating:”We’re workin together!”
#nailedit
Reading Books
My kids have always been avid book lovers. So they have been in heaven having two parents at home to tag team reading book after book after book to them. And I also have been enjoying a rare opportunity to read something besides Dr. Seuss or Pete the Cat. I have been reading, “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy” by Jenny O’Dell and LOVING it.
As someone who simultaneously wants to be blissfully unplugged but also wants to use a blog to uplift as many people as possible, this book has really been helping me explore the complicated and often conflicting feelings I have about getting into to blogging and becoming more and more immersed in the digital world.
Going on Adventures
It may look like we went on an exotic getaway to a tropical island, but surprisingly this beautiful little oasis is in NEBRASKA. It’s a huge indoor jungle at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium . It’s a great escape on a cold day. Saphire and Harmony could spend hours here exploring and making friends with the animals. What’s so wonderful about going to this extremely popular zoo in the off season is there are no crowds of people to push you along. We can walk the trails slowly, go at a curious child’s pace, without having to rush through to get out of someone’s way. Along with going to the zoo, we also have been getting a lot of use out of our memberships to The Children’s Museum and the YMCA.
Anticipating Spring
Over the years we have gotten better and better at riding the changing tides of financial lack and abundance. A lot of it has to do with patience. We are waiting until Spring to have the resources to buy a bus and get the renovation adventure underway. Until then, being together makes the waiting sweet and easy.
Want to read more? Click here to read “Coping with Stay at Home Mom Depression”
Melanie Starseed is the creator of Be Free Mommy, a blog dedicated to inspiring and uplifting women.
Carrie
You are my most favorite family!!! I sure love you guys! I am really enjoying the blog! Keep ‘em coming.
melanie.lee.starseed
I love you beyond words Carrie 💜💜💜 thank you so much for your support
Nicolle
Staycations are the way I love to take time off from work
Cecille Roberts
A staycation is an amazing way to save money and still enjoy the winter break. These ideas are fantastic!