Surviving the Polar Vortex

I’m shocked that we are already a month into the new year. 2014 has come in full-force giving us the coldest, snowiest, and iciest winter I think I’ve ever experienced in my life. Temps are in the teens and single digits, and 32 degrees feels like Spring these days. With most of the US and Canada experiencing this Polar Vortex. The Polar Vortex is what they are calling a North American cold wave, and this extreme weather is affecting parts of Canada and the United States east of theRocky Mountains, extending as far south as Central Florida, and Northeastern Mexico. I mean its snowing in places where they’ve never experienced snow. Some of these places don’t even have the right equipment for snow removal and schools are just closing because the people living there don’t even have the proper gear to stay warm.

The one thing I don’t mind with all this coldness happening is the snow. I just might be more giddy when it snows than my kids are. It’s so pretty when it starts fall and the city just looks so picturesque. And a good thing about living in NYC is just when you’ve had enough, the snow disappears into a slush from the mass amounts of traffic these streets get daily. But really, we are officially experiencing a real winter with all this snow. I think last year it snowed maybe three times, if that. Although the kids are loving the snow, the temps are only allowing us outside for limited periods of time. It’s just too cold to handle at times especially with wind chills. We purchased a sleigh when the first big storm hit the beginning of January. This $15 sleigh has come in so handy, we even picked up Ryder from school one day. I mean..have you ever!

We are still getting out as much as possible but I literally take a cab from point A to point B. The kids still go to their afterschool activities and we also were able to catch Disney On Ice last week at the Barclays. It was on a day when it was in the teens and I didn’t think we would make it, but both the big kids made the trek and fully enjoyed the show. I have to say this weather has definitely left us inside a lot more than I would like, and I’m definitely starting to get a bit cabin fever. Even with all the playdates scheduled, it’s still not the same thing as running outside in the fresh air.

I took the train this morning and the look on almost every single passengers face was just miserable. I kept thinking if the temps dipped to the same digits as it is in the mid west, we wouldn’t be able to survive. Especially since our means of transportation is primarily walking. And the topic of conversation with everyone I speak with is about the weather, natch. This Polar Vortex is clearly affecting and taking over our lives. And I wonder when it will end!

For me its more about the kids, keeping them warm, occupied, and content. I am actually getting quite a lot of work done being indoors. And I don’t even want to tell you the colds we have battled over the past month. Gemma currently has her second ear infection in just one month and I am just getting over a wicked stomach bug. One that I pray the kids won’t catch.

I am looking forward to the warmer months and know this Polar Vortex will end soon. On another note from being indoors so much, Gemma wound up taking her first step today. I’m sure as the weeks progress they will become steps and eventually walking before we know. I know it’s cold out there and we are running out of things to do with the kids but try and cherish these moments with them being snuggled and close by! Stay warm friends!