Sometimes it's Cabin Fever

The month of December has finally convinced our city to allow its citizens the option to wear coats and scarves without burning up. In other words it is finally starting to feel like winter fall. At the same time i am finding that it is not so wonderful... with the cold air has come some rather dreary and rainy days. And, here in Austin, there aren't too many places to take a 21 month old to play in doors. At this time last year, Tucker and I would escape to the malls in Houston, in which we would find baby friendly play-scapes that would easily entertain for a couple of hours- especially at the Galleria. But I have looked high and low for some such place here, and am at a loss. (If anyone knows of a good place, please let me know!) and the hardest part of all is an indoor play area is doubly needed this year.

I am finding that even on days like today, in which the sun is shining and it seems so inviting to go out in the invigorating air, I am still not wanting baby Maddie to be out doors for too long. Which is problematic because Tucker could probably stay outside all day. The indoors are giving him cabin fever, and I am beginning to be desperate for a safe place for him to go out and run around in. I guess I could always just keep an eye on him in the back yard... But then what to do when it is the bad weather days?

So far we have...
- painted the top of our table with chalkboard paint (to enable chalk drawings even when we can't go outside)
- driven around and looked at the exact same sets of Christmas lights the past few nights
- completely ransacked the playroom, to the point where I am not sure it will fully recover
And
- transported a way too large pile of toys to the living room floor

Tucker has also tried to play catch with tennis balls... with Maddie, hidden his pacifiers (which I still cannot find) along with Maddie's pacifiers (which I found in one of the trashcans), hidden his love blanket (found in the pantry), and pulled all of the wipes out of the case- then put them in the diaper pail. This morning was the topper of the day as Tucker attempted to ride his fire truck down the stairs- something he has been trying to do the past couple of weeks to no avail.

In other words I am finding that my favorite time of year - due to the wonderful clothes and the refreshment the cold air brings - is failing me. Because of all of the wonderful things that come with the winter months (which is a very long and beautiful list), there is a wanting for an easy outdoor entertainment solution, one that would accommodate a stay at home mom with a two month old and an almost twenty-two month old...