The Christmas tree is down. Decorations packed away. And now the Weight Family is staring at a new year. 2010! That’s amazing. It seems like a just few weeks ago, rather than a decade, we were all panicking about the Y2K bug and the potential calamities it could bring.

Also, with the new year, comes January, my least favorite month. Sorry to all you Capricorns out there but, I’m not a fan of winter. It’s a brisk 21 degrees outside this morning. Even the penguins are plugged into electric blankets. Andrew, my eight year old son, even wore a coat. WOW!!! He’s normally allergic to anything that provides warmth, saying “it’s not cold out here, short sleeves are fine, mom,” as I slip on a patch of ice trying to chase him down with a hat and gloves.

What frustrates me about winter here in Middle Georgia is that the temps can plunge down into the teens (much to the chagrin of Al Gore) but we seldom get any of that glorious white stuff that puts the fun in freezing off your buns. By that I mean snow (in case your brain is also frozen). Nothing to sled in, no snowballs to hurl, no snowmen or angels. So we stay inside, getting a little more screen time than I’m comfortable with.  The dreaded words “I’m bored,” are coming a little too readily out of the mouths of my kids. So, what can we Middle Georgia families do this winter to beat the cold weather blues? Surely there’s something fun out there to get the kiddos away from their Wii’s and Spongebob marathons.

Here is a list of indoor and outdoor boredom proof activities for parents and kids in our area.

1)      ICE SKATING! It’s not just for Michelle Kwan and Brian Boitano. It’s for you and me as well! Get an official taste of winter fun this weekend, Jan 8, 9 and 10 at the Macon Centreplex. The Weights will be lacing up our skates and strapping on our kneepads. For a list of other ice skating weekends throughout the season, visit www.maconcentreplex.com.

2)      Creating Portraits and Self Portraits at the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences. On Thursdays January 21, 28 and February 4, kids ages 7-11 can explore their inner Van Gogh’s (ears kept intact) by taking a class on how to make those sketches of friends and family come to life. And, of course, the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences has tons of other fun and educational activities as well. Check them out at www.masmacon.com.

3)      Caribbean Sound – Pan by Storm at the Grand Opera House the mornings of January 26 and 27. Introduce your kids to the exotic music and history of the West Indies steel drum in this rhythmic experience. Visit www.thegrandmacon.com to see their calendar of events.

4)      Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins – Lots of people don’t bother visiting their area’s tourist attractions because they think “oh it’ll always be there for us to see.” That was my thought about Robins Air Force Base’s air museum, that is, until Andrew became fascinated with flying. We saw all kinds of iron birds and bombers at this completely cool, 100% impressive, interactive center for air travel history. If you haven’t been, it’s worth your time – and you’ll score major points with the kids. Want to learn more? Visit www.museumofaviation.org.

5)      Toddler Play Date – Georgia Children’s Museum. The stroller set who aren’t quite into painting portraits or sure footed on skates can get out of the house and spend time in a with other little ones having fun with age appropriate activities. There’s always a lot to see and do at this awesome inspiring museum. For more information, just click www.georgiachildrensmuseum.com.

Of course, this is just a small sampling of what’s going on in Middle Georgia to beat those freezing outside – housebound blues. For a more extensive listing, click on the events portions of this Web site.