A Sparkle of Happiness Amidst the Winter Blues

I believe I'm suffering from the winter blues.  And so are my kids.  I'm moody. So are they. (What else is new?  I've come to the conclusion that all children under the age of 5 suffer from some sort of mood disorder).

We haven't seen sunshine in years, it's rainy, cold and miserable so going out of doors is not an option.

We live in Canada...and it's December!  Where's the snow??!!

To boost my spirits I've been on a Christmas crafts kick.

That's right, me, the uncrafty Mutha of all Mutha's.

Basically I'm forcing my kids to do all the crafting for me.

To keep them busy...and to give myself a break.

Who am I kidding?

This is what happens:  I cover the kitchen table with a massive black plastic table cloth, put all the paints out in old (clean!) plastic applesauce containers (good tip) and then I hand over the popsicle sticks and paper.

"Here, paint away!  No, paint this here. Paint it green.  No, that's purple.  Here, hold the brush like this.  No, like this.  Mmmm.  No, not like that....good try though!".........................................

.................."Okay, just give it to Mommy...I'll do it."....................

They've been humouring me.

They've also been driving me bananas.  Fighting, bickering, crying, whining.  From morning, to noon, to night.

It's the Christmas season...don't they know that?  Everyone's supposed to be jolly and good.

I've tried explaining this to them...even threatening my eldest that Santa will leave lumps of coal in his stocking if he doesn't stop torturing his little brother and start listening to me.  It works.

Sometimes.

Except when he says "I love coal!"

My youngest (who may look angelic, but gives as good as he gets from Adrian) does not grasp this concept at all.

Gah!

On the days that seem to go on and on.  And on.

....and on....

There's nothing that makes me happier than a bottle of wine chocolate.

So that's why I decided to pour myself a big glass make some brownies.

With my kids.

Oh the joy! We all know how I feel about baking with my boys.

But actually...it was pretty adorable.

And I've got proof.

I did not put those hats on them.  That was all on their own.

They also did not try and eat the brownie batter.  

Okay.  So he was simply just tasting for quality control purposes.

Oh dear.  Busted.

Fin, "Have some more!....Just kidding!"

Again...just making sure it's edible.

I think we passed.

Yep.  We're good to go.

**Note to my Cookie Swap pals...I promise this is not how I will be baking your cookies.

                                                                  Things I Can't Say