Gratitude: 27

Today was a "dangerously cold temperatures so no school" day for the kids.  Instead of keeping us cooped up inside all day, with the kids bouncing off the walls and my self worrying about how much homework I had, I took the kids to the mall.  It was amazingly quiet in the morning - I have never seen so many carts at the front of the store in Target!  We did our needed errands, had lunch together, like old homeschool times.  Then on a whim we decided to go ice skating in the rink at the mall.  It was pretty quiet in there, and the kids had a wonderful time on the ice.  I'm so grateful we followed the spur of the moment and went skating.  No one got hurt, everyone had a good time.  It was a really wonderful time of just being with my children, and appreciating the stage we are at now, when no one naps, and kids can do things with minimal help, and yet young enough that no one is unhappy about being together as a family.  I cherish this time.