Single digits, but the wind chill is making it feel like -6 DEGREES outside.

Are you tired of me starting out each blog post with an update on the weather?

Me too. Me too.

COME ON SUMMER.

I bet all you native Chicagoans hibernate with the tunnel vision that there are better days ahead.

I have yet to learn. Instead, I just wake up, peep the weather app, and groan EXTRA LOUDLY. It’s not the temps that get me. It’s that dang wind that makes it feel like my eyelashes are gonna freeze off.

Anyway, I ain’t leaving this apartment today. Good thing we got a little bit of sunshine over the past two days. We took advantage and hung out at the playground for a bit.

We brought our sidewalk chalk and used it for its intended purpose (rather than what we HAVE been using it for).

Peep that love note on the Ziploc bag that holds our chalk. Archana Mom originally used this back in NOVEMBER to send parathas back with us. And then somehow it made its way to SoCal and then the November date was crossed out to write the December date to send some food back with us to Chicago.

And now we’re in January.

Almost February.

And that Ziploc bag is going strong.

So, no, I’m not going plastic-bag free yet. But, yes, I stretch out the use of those plastic bags like nobody’s business.

Other happenings over here are…

Auntie Bella and Ishu are reunited. It makes my heart soar every time I see them together (or hear them together when I’m working in my room).

The other day, I stepped out of the apartment for a bit while Bella was putting Ishu to sleep. And I could hear him in the room making all the weird noises he makes when he’s overtired. And I chuckled to myself because he is completely, 100% his weird, silly self with her.

Kids are generally themselves and don’t mask around others the way us adults have been taught to do.

But he will occasionally hold back expressing ALL THE THINGS with everyone.

But not with Auntie Bella.

He’s 100% Ishu with her.

Other than falling back into somewhat of a routine, we’ve been swimming more, video-chatting with our fam a little more, and watching Encanto! The other day, I was video-chatting with my mama and she was like, “What?! Your tree is still up!?”

Yes, we realize we are approaching the end of January and are still wearing our Christmas attire, hanging out by our tabletop Christmas tree.

The thing is…

These onesies are so cozy and comfy. And our Christmas tree smells better now than it did when we got it back in December. It’s hard to toss it out when it still smells so GOOD!

All I’m saying is why NOT extend Christmas until the season is over?! Especially if you’re spending more time inside these days.

Yes. That’s what we’re doing. Christmas trees and wearing our boots indoors (that we have yet to wear outdoors) and listening to the Encanto soundtrack. On repeat.

Now, please tell me. How has 2022 been for you? What are the happenings over in your world? Are you participating in ‘Long Live Christmas’ with us?