The Big Slow Down

It's that time of year again, when it's cold and dark for so much of the day that we are prone to cuddling up on the couch with popcorn and hot chocolate for a steady stream of movies, television shows, video games. We throw into the mix board games or arts and crafts projects, and of course, some baking.


It's the time of year we often catch up on all the science projects from the Happy Scientist that have been filling up our inbox. There's always Lego building and some days, the boys get to work on a Lego animation or claymation. Some days are declared home days, and the boys never even get out of their pajamas. Having a dog has changed this a bit, since we do always have to take her outside. Sometimes the boys just send me off on the walk, while they watch from the window or the porch, so they can stay inside, where it's cozy and warm. And of course, we are always waiting for snow so we can go sledding or build a snowman or go on a winter walk.


I love this time of year, as it gives me time to catch up on general housekeeping (reorganizing our supplies, de-cluttering, catching up on photo storage and back-up) and lots of time to just hang out together. It's also the time of year when I can spend more time catching up on my own research, reading other unschooling blogs, lining up craft projects, thinking about some activities we might want to try out, and finding resources and articles about some of our unschooling decisions, such as this really good article supporting unlimited screen time (just what I needed to read at this particular time of year). Or thinking about some tree house vacations.


After such a full and busy fall and holiday season, it's nice to just relax and have some quiet days.


I love the ebb and flow of our lives, how we can go-go-go and then have a "season" of slow-slow-slow. It's such a good life.