because...

Sometimes needing to get (your kids) out of the house,
and needing a break (from your kids),
can happen at the same time.

It was a battle to get them ready that morning.
Overly tired?
Bored?
Teething?
Who knows what the culprit, but the morning was ugly.
We were late, yet again, to Henry's speech.
I watched Ben walk around outside on the frozen ground.
His breath puffing out against the cold with every squeal and squawk.
It was foggy and dim. We were bundled up for cold weather, but still felt frozen through.
The thought of going back home suffocated me.
I had thought about going to the library.
But if their behavior that morning was any indication of the outlook on the day,
keeping them quiet and respectful at a library seemed implausible.

Then the wheels started turning.

We loaded up in the car.

Drove home. I ran in. Changed my coat. Grabbed mittens. Scarves. Warm clothes to come home. Blankets. The few snacks I could rummage up. Cameras.



We drove through Starbucks. A coffee for mommy.



A muffin split three ways.



Music to set the mood. ( I told you I can't get enough of them )



And we were off.
(This is what I meant by needing a break. My kids are fantastic car sleepers. They were both asleep before we even hit the freeway)



Peace and quiet. And coffee. And music. And scenery. Did my heart good. 40ish minutes later...





















And then mommy fell in the snow. Holding Ben. And my camera.



And Ben acted like this the rest of the time.



But Henry had a ball.











Come on fussy one, lets go make you happy.



Stinker.



Nice snot Ben.









Henry was not impressed with my snow angel. Nor did he want to try and make one.



But we ate snow.



And was content.



and then, right when I started getting worried that it would be a monumental tantrum/disaster to tell him we had to leave, he up and volunteered " I cooold! Les go bu-byes"

.

It was a pretty awesome day.