when it’s sub-arctic outside, and the snow makes it too much hassle to drive someplace cozy/free/fun-for-the-whole-family, and money’s too tight and tempers are too short for the temptations of a good old shopping mall, we manage to have fun anyway.

cookie baking (getting to wear her new apron and “yummy” chef-hat; thanks grandma!), princess-playing, painting, and puzzles keep the kid occupied while mommy and daddy stay busy with work, chores, cleaning, scrambling, having guests, planning, maintenance and EverydayBoringAdultStuff.

tomorrow we’re back on the hunt for a bed for the kid, after discovering with much frustration, disappointment, angst, and a frenzied call to customer service that the princess-castle-loft-bed was missing crucial pieces and is now unavailable from the manufacturer. not quite how i’d pictured our family holiday, but we might as well get out there with a mission. i seem to cry every time i turn on the tv (i’ve already wiped away so many emotional, hopeful tears that i’ve given up all hope of wearing mascara for the next week. damn you, CNN!), so an outdoor adventure is in order.

[i was a little worried about that big green spot on her foot. "don't worry, mom, it's paint. we painting-ed today."]