Hi mama,

We’re finally home in Michigan, and Emi is living her best winter life! She’s been running around in her winter boots like a little penguin, practicing her “piano skills” with Grandad, and baking mince pies with Nanny (yes, my in-laws are English). Seeing her soak up all these special moments with family has been such a joy.

I know this can be a hectic time of year, so here’s your gentle reminder: be kind to yourself. Simplify wherever you can, let go of perfection, and carve out time to soak in the love and laughter with your people.

And if you’re not really feeling the winter vibes outside, no worries! You can still keep the fun going indoors with our 30 Days of Cozy Indoor Activities Challenge. You can grab the full activity calendar here.

Wishing you peace, joy, and just the right amount of snowflakes. 😉

In joyful motherhood,
Liz

Week 4: Indoor Activity Challenge

Week four of our challenge, here we go!

DIY Winter Collages
Gather magazines, paper scraps, and nature finds (like leaves or twigs) to create winter-themed collages. Emi loves picking out “snowy” colors and textures, and it’s such a fun way to boost her creativity and fine motor skills.

Explore Temperature
Fill two bowls—one with warm water and one with cold—and let your toddler feel the difference. Add a few ice cubes or floating toys for extra fun. Emi gets so curious about how the ice “melts away,” and it’s a great introduction to basic science concepts. 

Baking Holiday Treats
Let your little one help stir, sprinkle, or shape cookies or small pies. Emi loved mixing and cutting dough; while it gets messy, the joy (and the smell of baked goodies!) makes it worth every crumb.

Homemade Winter Decorations
One of my favorites! I love making orange and cinnamon garlands, the smell is heavenly. Your little one can help thread the dried orange slices (with lots of supervision), and it’s a lovely eye-hand coordination + sensory activity.

Watercolor Winter Art
Set up a watercolor painting station with wintery colors like blues, whites, and silvers. Your little one will enjoy experimenting with colors, and you’ll love watching their little artist's mind at work!

Shadow Puppet Show
Dim the lights, grab a flashlight, and create shadow puppets on the wall. We use paper cutouts or just our hands—it’s simple, magical, and keeps Emi giggling!

And remember, we share printable activities in our new Facebook group.

Let’s Talk Joyful Motherhood

I’m thrilled to share that our Joyful Motherhood Monthly Email will now go out on the last Wednesday of each month. Starting with the very first one on January 29th!

These emails will be packed with practical tips to help you connect with your little one, shift your mindset, and make the most of this beautiful (and busy!) season of life.

p.s. All my free printables are available here.

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