Winter and year round school

Harrison has been out of school since the 22nd of December. I think this is the longest break we will have all year and I have felt it . I was reserving judgment about year round school but am definitely leaning towards a negative view. Why avoid a long break in the summer just to have a long break when you can't do anything outside? Although we had Christmas and Arizona and planning his birthday party to keep us busy, the last couple of weeks with cold weather and no regular routine has been rough ( on me, mostly). Actually mostly just last week as the prior two I sent Harrison to a sport camp at the local rec center to swim and have fun with a friend who is in the afternoon version of his kindergarten class. But last week Harrison got hit with a stomach bug and a few of us started to get colds and super sport was not happening. I get high hopes of going fun places but it suddenly feels too cold and too hard. The kids get whiny and fight and I lose my temper far too easily. Carter had two days of preschool which was helpful to force us out of the house ( by noon, no less) but still I had far too many annoyed moments. 

Monday we did get out to the museum of natural curiosity to face massive holiday crowds. The climbing structure is so fun there but honestly when it's crowded I feel like I'm sending my kids into an abyss from which they may or may not return.  Friday I was going crazy and started searching 'things to do in winter in Utah' on the internet... I came up with the idea of going to the downtown children's museum. We went, I got a great deal on a year pass, and the kids has a great time. The weekend after that was pretty fun too . And school is back in tomorrow. Thank goodness for small miracles!! 

Carter in the water area at natural curiosity. That girl loves playing with water. Give her a sink and cups and she's a happy camper! 

At discovery gateway. Jefferson was pretty much about to fall off here . Sacrifice for a good shot??  

That is one cute baby in a turtle costume!

Random shot. It's nice to be reminded that they love each other. Or that they love Jefferson enough to pose together, anyway :)