Post Holiday Rut

I never understood why the holidays were jammed together at the end of the year. For as much anticipation, preparation and excitement as they bring---it is always hard to get back into the swing of things (especially when you just keep recycling sickness).  January is like TV at 1:00pm---nothing worth watching is on and it seems to drag on forever.

This year, even the weather has lost its luster.  It's hard to believe that we are mid-January with nothing more than a few flurries. Each time we spot snowflakes, Owen gets so excited and immediately wants to go outside to "do snow angels and build a snowman".  And, each time, we have to explain that it isn't enough snow...yet. He finally decided to just take matters into his own hands:

But, as much as I love the changing seasons and a good winter snowstorm, the return of the warm sunshine this week was like a long, lost friend.  I didn't realize how much we had missed it until the clouds gave way to deep blue skies and the bright sunshine returned.

And, we weren't about to waste it.

Owen wanted to help push Nora in the swing.  She kept grabbing his hand and giggling.  so sweet.

We still can't wait for winter to make its debut...to play in the snow and enjoy the cozy peace that snowfall brings.  But, for now, we enjoyed this one last holiday gift.  It lightened our moods, lifted our spirits...and forced us out of the post-holiday-back-to-reality rut.