It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Welcome to December. The month that brings images of the family gathering around the fireplace to sip hot chocolate as we watch the snow fall. Or laying in bed with your favorite flannel sheets. Or wearing your favorite pajamas as you nuzzle with your loved ones...well...that's what we'd like to imagine December being...

In our house, December definitely brings "fewer" activities for the kids, but not "less chaos". What it does bring is more excuses for staying inside and watching Netflix because...let's be honest...it's cold out and nobody wants to be outside. It means the kids wanting "just one more piece of candy". It means screaming, running around, fighting and the "I don't need to go to bed!!!!" which then forces mom and dad to search for that "perfect winter cocktail".

Because we live in Iowa, we are typically subjected to one of three winters:

1. TONS of heavy snow on the ground. 
2. Bone-chilling cold. 
3. A fantastic combination of both which bring blizzardy gloom

It's never like the movies. It's never a picture perfect day where we can go skiing with a light jacket or frolic in the snow. Because of this, you are going to scour Pinterest for thousands of activities to keep your family busy and get frustrated because there are so many things to choose from and don't want to do any of them.

If your family is anything like mine, the chaos from being inside does bring a TON of pent-up energy and makes you feel like your head is going to explode in 3....2...1... but I'm here with a few options to create less insanity in your home this winter.

Still go outside!!!!

I know that this may seem counterintuitive to what you really want to do, but hear me out. We're blessed with amazing stores that stock some pretty amazing gear. I once heard the saying "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear" and if you think about it, it's true. The industry is FLOODED with gear from companies that have spent BILLIONS of dollars and thousands of manhours researching how to help you stay comfortable in the cold. But why not learn how to ice skate. Take the kids tubing. Learn how to snowboard...and then subsequently make a trip to the ER. I, for one, actually enjoy getting out for a short run when it's cold out. It's still the crisp, clean air that I love during the other seasons of the year, but now with sweet ice beards. For those looking to shed a few pounds, some research has even shown that you burn more calories when working out in the cold weather...SCORE!!! Although you can get a killer workout in, in a very short amount of time, just make sure to watch the intake of calories and make sure not to offset the caloric burn.

Get creative with your indoor workouts

That treadmill in your basement is really good at holding down the floor. I get that, but you obviously spent the money on it (or had to at least set it up because someone gave it to you) and it's a great tool. Vary your workouts. Do hills, speedwork, ratchet it up and crank out some 6-minute miles. Change the routine away from the same workout. Get your family involved in a family yoga session. Look up some body weight exercises and come up with a different system. Find a set of stairs and just walk up and down them over and over again. Although it's mind-numbingly boring, it can be a great workout. There are so many ways that you can just keep moving, you just have to be willing to commit.

Actually use your gym membership

A lot of you have them, but now is the time to use it. Some gyms are going to offer up some great specials to get you to sign up this winter so TAKE ADVANTAGE!!! This is NOT to get ready for your "summer bod", but about getting out of the house and trying some new exercises. Of course, you'll have to drive to the gym and possibly wait for the fancy treadmill with the TV because "Ellen" is on, but while you wait, look around. Why not try the stair stepper or a different bike trainer or check out the class that you just saw someone walk into a with the super cool techno music? Again, it's all about messing with your routine. Play some basketball or racquetball with the kids...this is a fun way to hit a little rubber ball at your children and see how quick their reaction time is...Luckily, a lot of gyms are offering childcare or classes for the kiddos too so you can get your workout done and not have to hear "DADDY!!!! I NEED A SNACK!!!!". Killing two birds with one monthly fee.

Learn a new hobby

One of my friends just recently wanted to learn how to solve a Rubik's cube. He got one. Studied some tricks on the interwebs and can solve the Rubiks cube and he takes it with him wherever he goes. He's constantly challenging his brain to learn how to do it without the cheat sheet. Get your brain out of the monotony of life. What is that thing in your life that you've always wanted to do? Knitting? Crocheting? Painting? Baking? Learning to play the guitar? Winter is a great time to learn something different. Whatever the new thing is, stick with it. Don't buy fancy new baking cookware and forget about it because your quiche didn't turn out like it did on Pinterest. It's going to take some time and you'll have to work through the frustration when your new baking project ends up as a  #pinterestfail.

Scour the internet for free family activities

There is this wonderful tool called "Google" that will allow you to search for free...or almost free...activities around your area for the whole family...I KNOW!!!! There are more than likely DOZENS of local businesses that are struggling this time of year that offer up some sort of free activity to draw you into the library, coffee shop, bakery, or otherwise to showcase what their business does. So go to the Google machine and type in "Free Winter Activities Near Me". Trust me, you won't be disappointed in how many options there are.

Yeah, you read that right...1,270,000,000 options

Turn off the TV and devices

I know...I know...You've heard me say it before, but sometimes to gain the most of every day, we just have to unplug. Instead of watching the same Christmas episode of "The Office" for the 1,000,000th time, maybe it's time to learn to enjoy reading a book...that has pages. Find a game that you haven't played in years and teach the kids how to play. Go through your photo albums and laugh about those acid washed jeans and fanny pack that you had back in 3rd grade...and wonder what they'd be worth today if you sold them on eBay...dang...Whatever you decide, get the kids involved in something that doesn't require electricity...except for maybe the lights

I know that this list may seem like a no-brainer, but hopefully when the kids have forced you to drink your 6th glass of "adult eggnog", you at least have some more options for things to do to make the winter suck a little bit less

Stay Strong, Run Long.
Brad