2020 was a LONG year, friends. So many moments of not knowing what, or when or how. Even though we are still in the midst of a pandemic, I’ve decided that even if we can’t do the things we normally do, each month I want to try and find some way to make one moment magical.
I’m always trying to find new ways/ideas to entertain my littles (who really aren’t that little anymore) without breaking the bank. Adding in that we still want to be safe and socially distant as long as needed, I had to get a bit creative! If this past year taught me anything, it’s that the small moments mean so much more than I ever realized.
February (1.0)
Do you want to build a snowman? I’m praying it snows, but if not, we will make “fake snow” and build one inside. How do you make “fake” snow you ask? It’s super easy. 2.5 cups of pure baking soda mixed with a ½ cup of white hair conditioner. I add in a sprinkle of peppermint oil just to make it feel more festive!
February (2.0)
Folks this one was HARD. This month includes my oldest turning 12, my husband turning 40 and Valentine’s Day. My daughter is used to bigger birthdays. Being in the cold months doesn’t allow for the outdoor picnic parties we normally have for our twins. Add in a pandemic, this year we are keeping it simple. She asked to get a facial or her nails done with one of her besties who is also celebrating her birthday! Easy. We will add in her favorite cake and have an at-home dance party with her sibs.
For my husband’s 40th, we were supposed to travel to a beach location with friends. Since we don’t know if it will be safe going to (Jamaica, sigh), I have planned a getaway with our Covid bubble. We have private transportation. Private fun planned, and a hotel that had great reviews for cleaning and safety. I’ll share more once he knows where we are going! Not telling him makes the getaway even more magical!
We normally don’t celebrate Valentine’s, but this year, why not?! I’m going with a heart-shaped themed dinner. Heart pizza, heart cut out fruit, pink “bubbly” (aka raspberry lemonade and sprite) and heart-shaped cookies for dessert.
March
Leprechauns will be invading our house. I wonder how many they will find? Will there be treasure? Only the leprechauns know.
April
Spring hopefully will have arrived. We will be going on a new expedition to find a new favorite nature preserve. I have one in mind, but will they find the hidden chimneys? I guess we will see how deep into the woods they are willing to explore.
May
A “school’s out for the summer” party in the back yard! First bonfire of the year. If they do well enough, the fire may turn into special colors to celebrate. Our kiddos have never been to a drive-in movie. I think it’s time they get to enjoy how fun this can be.
June
Slip and slides, sprinklers, painting outside with our bodies. We are doing all things that mean summer. Grilling out. Snow cones. Our own little festival in the back yard. Celebrating our youngest turning 4 (theme to be determined as she is ever-changing her mind, but I believe Paw Patrol will be coming to visit). Also, fingers crossed at the end of the month, we will get to watch our daughter dance at her National Competition in Gatlinburg. I think bear hunting (not hunting, but you get what I mean) may have to occur.
July
Happy Birthday, America! Camping is on the list. Our younger three have never been;it’s time to see if us old folks can still handle sleeping in tents or not.
August
Twins’ birthday and a trip to our favorite family campground. It’s becoming a tradition -perhaps this year we will travel around the lake and actually catch some fish! A back-to-school-end-of-summer party will happen with a back yard movie to boot. I’m thinking a canoe trip for the first time will be in order. Anyone want to take bets on who will fall out of their canoe first?
September
Amish country. It is one of our favorite places to go and we have found spots that aren’t super busy. We all love driving around and looking at the land, the homes and spotting as many horse-drawn buggies as we can. This month also brings my birthday. I’ll leave that up to my husband and kiddos to plan 😉
October
All things Halloween. Decorations. Making bat cookies. Prepping costumes. This year, I am adding in making popcorn balls!
November
This year, I’m going to have a mason jar that we add slips of paper to. Each day prior to Thanksgiving, we will write what we are thankful for and read them out loud after Thanksgiving dinner. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, and our children are very blessed.
December
With our children getting older, I want to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. Each year, my husband and I have done things to give back, but the kids haven’t always been aware. They know there is suffering and people who go without, but this year the kids are going to help us bless another family who is in need. If safe, they will also go with me to work at a soup kitchen, or to help kiddos who don’t have shoes get a new pair. December is going to be about giving back and counting our blessings.
I know that this list may need modified or tweaked. It may look different than planned, but I’ve come to realize that it is ok. The small, silly moments are the ones that we will look back on and remember the most. What are your plans for the rest of the year?
