what fun things did you do with your kids this week?

[Anonymous]

So many of the posts on this forum focus on the challenges of parenting older kids, and while these are very real concerns for all of us, we should also remember that there's also an upside about having kids at this age. I was reminded of this while scanning the topics on the General Parenting forum; over the last week there have been many vents by parents of toddlers and preschoolers who've been stuck inside trying to care for and entertain little ones. With older kids, this is obviously not such a problem -- in fact, they can help with many tasks (my kids did a lot of shoveling) and can even provide entertainment for their parents. What were the most fun things you did with your kids during the snowpocalypse? I'll start:

-- with my 16 y.o., who's starting to get hooked on Shakespeare, we watched film versions of "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Henry V"; also sang along to oldies on a kareoke website -- this was somewhat dangerous as now none of us can get the lyrics out of our heads (e.g., "Why do you build me up -- build me up -- buttercup baby? Just to let me down -- let me down . . . . ";

-- with my 10 y.o., tried skiing down a steep street in our n-hood (didn't work too well, so switched to sledding); played her first game of Clue (Mrs. Peacock with the wrench in the dining room); and, learned to play "Heart and Soul" on the piano from a YouTube video.

What did you do?

[Anonymous]

I thoroughly enjoyed this week with my elementary schooler. I will remember it forever even thought I am going to get crushed with work next week.

We went ice skating and signed up for lessons. We did loads of cooking together which was a hoot. We went out to lunch every day that we could get out. We went to an indoor bounce place for some bouncing fun. We read a chapter of our current book every day. We watched movies and did art projects.

[Anonymous]

Sledding and cookies, it was really fun. Also loved watching the first grader play with her much younger sister, lots of dress up and fort building. Helped the little one bring in a snowball and taught her the word melted after we read The Snowy Day. Lots of good memories.

[Anonymous]

Sledding! I'm totally hooked. My kids liked it, too.

Cooking - made ice cream with snow, made Little House on the Praire recipes, plus lots of choc chip cookies.

Helped a neighbor build an igloo

watched some funny movies

watched the Olympics together

ate dinner with the neighbors

let the kids build forts with all the cushions and pillows, then jumped all over them

sledding at the US Capital Building - big fun.