Winter can get a bad wrap with it being cold and the days running short since the sun goes down early. I personally enjoy this season with my family because we spend a lot of time together at home. So while it may not be my absolute favorite, I can at least appreciate what it offers our family. The Clayton Crew usually has some big family of 5 party planned for New Years, but since it landed on a Sunday we had church that evening. It ended up being super relaxing and we had a great time together. We spent a lot of the new year playing around the house...
especially with our sweet friend Iyla who lives here part time, haha!
Now that we homeschool, the kids really enjoy days we don't do school work so they have extra free time.
Max on the other hand is just a little stinker around the house! Now that he can pull up anywhere he always seems to be getting into something...
I especially love nights when I catch my favorite people snuggled up reading...
Zoe is still a little young and not as interested in sewing even though she does it with me. Kason on the other hand loves it. He has always liked creating things with his hands so I think he likes the accomplishment of creating something from scratch.
Winter is always harder on Max than the rest of us. Although he has been less sick these past two winters than ever before. The only bonus to him being sick is all the cuddles we get!
Daniel especially doesn't get to snuggle with him very often and one day he just crawled up next to him and went to sleep. So precious!
The kids did talk me into getting out of the house one day and trying out a trampoline park. It was a win for all 3 of us while I worked on curriculum and they got to play without anyone else there!
I've been incredibly proud of these two this year. While I have always worked with them on responsibility and chores around the house, this is the first time they have really taken ownership. With that independence, I've been able to give them even more responsibility which they are thriving on! They go grocery shopping with me each week, but I've had them start to clean the fruit...
and prepare their snacks...
Kason is our bread fanatic, so one day he got his hands dirty and made some!
Every month Max receives a huge shipment of med supplies, formula, and diapers. I'm usually the one who always unpacks and organizes everything...but now that the other two are home everyday, they have even jumped in to help!
I've been really wanting a mudroom type spot in our home to put the kids backpacks. I had some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, so my sweet husband helped me build this one weekend!
One of the sweetest moments from winter was when this gorgeous little lady...
got to have her daddy/daughter date that Daniel cashed in from her Christmas gift. Aren't they just precious together?!
I love how we have to get her all dolled up and fancy for a night out :). Since Austin is rarely crazy cold, we did have several sunny afternoons that were warm enough for us to get outside and soak up some rays.
Outside is what my kids' hearts beat for, so we get out as much as possible. On super gorgeous days I have been known to "lose" track of school time and let them enjoy ;).
If we are able to get dad there with us, even better!
One Friday we even went hiking around McKinney Falls State Park near our home.
I love our life, our city, our home. I love this year with Kason and Zoe where I get to teach them and love on them in a unique way. They are both just a hoot to be around and keep us laughing...
I also love that the times we do spend with Max, it is just as rich as ever...
That his relationship with siblings continues to grow deeper.
These are the days my friends, these are the days and I plan to cherish each one.
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