Wooooohoooo! It’s Leap Year!
Ok, I know that calendars are really just an arbitrary invention of humans. If you think about it, the world keeps spinning around according to a plan that is not of our creating and we just try to mold it into something more manageable. But allow me to wax poetic for a moment and embrace the concept of Leap Year and the idea that we have an extra day this year. I’m always looking for more hours in the day and this year, I get to have an extra 24 hours!!! If you look at it like that, it’s almost magical.
So, I’m challenging you to think about those 24 extra hours and just what you could make of them. I know February 29th might be a work day for many of you so just look at it as this – in the month of February, you get an extra day. Not an extra day to work, not an extra day to catch up on your to do list, but a whole 24 hours just for fun. I’m giving them to you as a gift. Now what will you do with them?
How about trying something you’ve never done before? Grab your family and enjoy some special time together getting out there and enjoying the great Canadian winter. (As I write this, London, Ontario has just had 10 cms of snow overnight. It came on top of 5 cms from the day before and we are expecting another 10 by the end of the day. I think after all those record-breaking warmer than usual weather, winter has decided to remind us what it’s really all about!).
Here are a few suggestions for some fun winter activities:
Go snowshoeing: Chances are, you’re not too far from a national park or scenic trail that is optimal for snowshoeing. Snowshoes have come a long way from the tennis racket-esque versions you’re probably expecting and are often available to rent from national parks or adventure stores. It’s a great way to take in the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery – not to mention it’s great exercise and your kids will love the novelty of floating on top of the snow! If you’re in the London, Ontario area, try Circle R Ranch for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Build a snow cave: It’s also likely that there are ample amounts of snow not too far away – or even in your own backyard. Building a snow cave is a simple cold-day activity. Make sure you have enough shovels for the whole family – it’s a team effort. Once the structure is complete, let it harden for a few hours and then create an entrance way and hollow it out. If it’s big enough, you can even carve out snow benches inside! Grab your snow pants and chill out – literally – with a cup of hot chocolate to add warmth. Why not gather your neighbours and make a whole village of snow caves? It could be a great way to get to know them better!
Visit somewhere new: Canada is chock-full of amazing winter destinations featuring everything from scenic ski resorts to lively festivals. Whether it’s teaching the kids to skate on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, going skiing up at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood or visiting northern Ontario to take in the northern lights, find something your family will enjoy and will remember for years to come. Don’t have time to go far from home? Be a tourist for the day in your own city or explore one of the small towns nearby. Pack a winter picnic (a thermos of soup or chili is great comfort food on a cold day) and head out to see what you can find. It’s an adventure! If you’re in the London, Ontario area, might I suggest ice skating through Storybook Gardens? You may have been there many times in summer but it’s quite pretty and the kids find it really exciting to see it in the winter too!
It’s always fun to try something new – adds a little excitement what can become the monotony of daily life (and yet another winter day). Instead of lamenting it, try celebrating it! Getting outside, even when it’s cold and snowy, is good for your health. Just be sure to dress warmly and head inside to warm up when needed.
Of course, trying to keep up with your kids isn’t always easy – and is often tougher the next day when those aches and pains set in. Topical pain relievers like RUB·A535™ Extra Strength Heating Cream have you covered. It starts to work on contact and provides fast acting pain relief of muscle and joint pain. I’m also partial to the RUB·A535™ NightTime cream. It’s scented with lavender essential oil. It helps to relax both my muscles and my mind so I can peacefully drift off to sleep!
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