seriously? you're still here?

this january may have been the longest month of my life. the longest. and it's not even over yet.

october, november, and december flew by, but january decided to dig in its heels and take its sweet time. and it has been a cold month. so cold that the snow didn't melt for weeks and our neighborhood streets and sidewalks were one big ice skating rink. 

so when the snow finally started to melt about a week ago and the sidewalks cleared up, i decided that we were going to get out of the house to try to stem the tide of cabin fever that has washed over our house, engulfing at least madeleine and me, and i'm pretty sure diane.

my hands were frozen about 100 feet into the walk and i figured that if i was that cold and i was doing the walking, it probably wasn't great to keep the girls out in it for too long. we took the short route.

but yesterday was warmer (what is that? grass?!?) and once again, i was determined to exit the house more than twice during the week. i took the girls out in the backyard and even put shoes on diane so that she could do some wandering.

madeleine was in heaven, running around and remembering what it is like to be outdoors.

diane was less sure about the whole thing, but found some fun activities. she really hasn't been outside much since she's been mobile and it was fun to see her amble around. she did not like it when she fell on the snow, though.

it finally got pretty cold and even madeleine complained that she was freezing and needed to go in.

instead of just going in and calling it quits, we ventured back inside and got some warmer gear. this is not the first time that i have used socks for gloves. little babies tend to do better with them than mittens. and much easier to get on.

warm(ish) once again, everyone enjoyed running around some more.

until, at last, we declared the winter the winner and headed inside. madeleine requested some hot cocoa to "warm her all up inside." i told her yes, but distracted her and didn't actually make any, knowing that she would not request it again. she always asks for it after we go outside, but doesn't like it and never drinks more than two sips. i think she just likes the idea of it.

go away january. here's hoping for a faster february, and spring around the corner.